How to Get Better at Volleyball: The Proven Improvement Framework That Works at Any Level

I’ll never forget the summer between my junior and senior years when I hit a frustrating plateau in my game. Despite making varsity, I wasn’t getting much playing time as an outside hitter. Determined to change that, I convinced our assistant coach to meet me at 6 AM three days a week for targeted practice.

Those early mornings transformed not just my technical skills but my understanding of what it takes to truly improve in volleyball – small, consistent changes that led to dramatic improvements over time.

In this article, I’ll share six proven tips to help you elevate your volleyball game, regardless of your current skill level. We’ll explore practical drills you can implement today, strategic approaches to practice, and mental techniques that will help you perform under pressure.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to master the basics or an intermediate player aiming to take your game to the next level, these steps will provide a clear path forward.

“Most players skip stages and wonder why they plateau. Follow this sequence for sustainable improvement.”

How to Get Better at Volleyball: 6 Tips and Steps to Improve Your Game

Understand your why. 

You’ve come here to improve your game, but do you know why you feel the need to improve? Do you want to be a stronger hitter, a more reliable setter, or a better blocker?  

Think back to the last volleyball match you watched. Was there a player who made you think, ‘I want to play like that’? Maybe it was their jump serve, their consistent passing, or how calmly they read the defense.

That’s your north star for improvement. That feeling of ‘I want to play like that’—that’s what keeps you motivated through the hard work.

Maybe you’re working toward making the starting lineup or helping your team win more games. Or you think you lack confidence while passing. Whatever the reason, having a clear goal gives you direction. When you know why you want to improve, it’s easier to stay motivated and put in the work. 

Step 1: Asking for feedback to improve target areas 

Since self-judging is hard, ask teammates and coaches to watch and give feedback on your strengths and improvement areas. Taking constructive criticism gives you an outside yet professional perspective on your methods. 

You can even ask them to record you when you are playing any particular shot/block/pass. Once you break it down – it is easy to point out small things you can work on.

Focus on one or two important areas at a time. If your blocking is strong but overused, opponents might start predicting it. So, improve the strategy, not perfect hits. Small improvements, like using the heel of your palm instead of your fingers, make a big difference. 

Step 2: Every strength is a win 

Here’s the mistake most players make: they focus only on weaknesses and get discouraged. I get it.

When you’re working on serve-receive and barely making it halfway across the court, that feels like the only thing that matters. But here’s what changed for me: I listed both weaknesses AND what I was already good at.

Yes, I struggled with tough serves. But my jump serves were solid—good enough that defenders had to respect them.

So here’s what I did: during my early-morning practice sessions, I’d spend 20 minutes on serve-receive (weakness), then 10 minutes on jump serves (strength).

That small mental shift—proving to myself that I had value—made the hard work feel less defeating.

The takeaway: You’re building on existing strengths while fixing weaknesses. This isn’t about becoming a completely different player; it’s about leveraging what you’re already good at while improving the gaps.  

Bonus tip: Try out strength-related positions, like libero or outside setter, that need aggressive serving skills and strategies. 

6 tips for getting better at Volleyball 

Now that you know where your strengths and weaknesses lie, you must be wondering how to get better at Volleyball. You can start by referring to these tips that you might miss out on during regular practice: 

1. Back to basics 

Practice drills, every single day. Even the most basic ones, like one-on-one passing, starting positions, jump and hit, and aiming, can help you in different areas. There will always be room for improvement. 

2. Build arm strength 

Volleyball is a game based on your arms. Stronger arms improve blocking ability, hitting power, and serving consistency. Exercises like push-ups, resistance band training, weightlifting, and stretching strengthen your arms. 

3. Build endurance 

If you see yourself getting tired and losing motivation by the end of a game, it means the constant diving and jumping are taking up your energy. Low endurance might be one of an athlete’s worst weaknesses. A 20-minute cardio and 200 skips every other day can help. 

4. Make use of the wall 

Don’t let the lack of a partner hold you back; start talking to the wall! Practice passing, setting, and hitting drills to improve control and consistency.  

• Mark the height of the net on the wall to practice your serves 

• Use two walls at the wall corner to practice passing from different angles 

• Mix up an overhead pass with an attack on the wall 

Safety tip: Keep the direction and velocity of the ball on the lower side so you don’t hurt yourself with the rebound. 

5. Play pickup games 

Take part in local casual games, play with different people who are not professionals, and forget about competition. You might not realize how much pickup games impact strategizing, reading serves, identifying lineups, and adaptability. 

6. Strategize 

Any sport, including Volleyball, is just as much mental as it is physical.

Take a break from physical training to watch professional league matches and training videos on YouTube. Analyze their lineups, court movements, communications, defensive systems, and why they chose the points they did. 

I personally keep going back to Zachery Schubert’s games to see the collaboration with his teammates.

This has helped me mimic his calls and turn tough games around. 

Tips for different drills 

No matter your position, changing your technique with reaction drills helps you improve your skills and become a stronger player. Here are some tactical tips based on different positions in the game: 

For serving 

A strong serve focuses on scoring points, not just getting the ball over the net. 

• Toss and load: Using both hands to toss reduces agility. Instead, toss with your non-dominant hand while keeping your hitting hand loaded and ready. 

• Use your arms, not your legs: Serving does not require you to squat and lift. Focus on arm swing for speed. Move and extend your wrist quickly for better spin and control. 

• Vary your serves: Predictability is your biggest enemy. Mix up floaters, topspin, and deep serves to keep opponents guessing. 

For passing 

Passing is a huge part of Volleyball, so staying controlled and relaxed takes priority. 

• Be flexible: Stretch right before the match to remove any muscle sores or stiffness from your body. Focus on stretching your arms to the maximum. 

• Don’t strain your body: Adding pressure to your footwork is unnecessary. Move your feet quickly instead of lunging or stretching too far. 

• Angle your platform: Direct the ball with your forearms rather than swinging your arms. A slight angle will send the ball in the right direction. 

For setting 

A good setting is more about precision and control than getting the ball to your hitter. 

• Don’t be aggressive: Approach the ball with ease to avoid startling the hitter. Push the ball smoothly with your fingertips instead of forcefully shoving it. 

• Take shorter steps: Small, controlled footwork helps you get under the ball without losing balance. Avoid large steps that throw off your positioning. 

• Square your shoulders: Face your target so your set goes where you intend it to. 

For blocking 

Don’t jump without intent; read your opponents instead. 

• Know who to block: Watch the setter’s hands and the hitter’s body language to predict where the ball is going.  

• Identify sandbaggers: Some hitters crouch to fake an approach or drop back. Don’t jump too early; stay patient and react to their real movement. 

• Angle over the net: Don’t just jump straight up. Push your hands over the net and aim downward to take away opportunities from the hitter. 

For attacking 

Hitting is about timing, power, and control. 

• Be time-efficient: Rushing your approach wastes energy, and tensing up can slow your swing. Keep your movements smooth and intentional. 

• Minimum shuffling: Conserve energy by taking controlled steps rather than unnecessary movement before your jump. 

• Efficient footwork: Build momentum by starting slow and speeding up in your last two steps before jumping. This creates maximum power for your attack. 

Final thoughts on how to get better at Volleyball 

Improving in volleyball takes patience, effort, and continuous training. Once you start focusing on strengths while working on weaknesses on the side, you won’t keep getting discouraged by slow progress.

Keep communication constant, call out plays, and read teammates’ cues to improve teamwork. 

Many athletes create their personal game plans by journaling what they’ve practiced and what still needs work.

Rest and recovery are just as important as training, it might be helpful to also track your stretching exercises, hydration, and sleep cycles. 

With consistent effort, strategic practice, and a strong mindset, you’ll see real improvement and enjoy the game even more. Stay dedicated, and results will follow! 

FAQs on how to get better at Volleyball 

How can I improve my reaction time in Volleyball? 

Practice reaction drills like tennis ball drop and partner toss drills.

Record your movements in defense to play it back and improve.

Mirroring professionals like Jenia Grebennikov and Luke Perry can also help you respond faster to unexpected plays. 

What are the best ways to improve Volleyball IQ? 

Watch AA/Open matches, study different strategies, anticipate plays, and communicate with teammates to understand court dynamics better. Invest your time in the Olympic games and pro federation matches. 

How do I get better at hitting in Volleyball? 

Work on approach timing, arm swing mechanics, and hand contact. Use slow-to-fast steps, jump high, and aim for open spots on the court.