Volleyball Tryout drills

Q: What is the volleyball passing drill for tryouts?

A common passing drill for volleyball tryouts is the Serve & Pass Challenge . In this drill, players receive real serves from across the court and must accurately pass the ball to a target area (like a setter's zone). Coaches watch for footwork, platform angles, and control under pressure. At VolleyballXL , we show this drill with video examples so you can easily learn and practice it before the tryout.

Are you organizing a tryout and want to evaluate your players effectively?
With VolleyballXL, you’ll find a complete collection of tryout drills that coaches can use immediately — all supported with clear video demonstrations.

u12

Smash Volley

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u18, Seniors

Match to 3 points

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u18, Seniors

Rebounding game

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u18, Seniors

Mill

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u18, Seniors

Lout

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u18, Seniors

Tumble Tumble

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Evaluate players effectively with the right volleyball tryout drills

During tryouts, you need to assess players’ technique, game sense, effort, and teamwork. That’s why at VolleyballXL, we’ve selected drills specifically designed to help coaches make accurate evaluations:

Passing and serve-receive drills: test precision and teamwork
Setting drills: assess decision-making and timing
Attack and blocking drills: evaluate power and quick reactions
Defensive drills: observe hustle and positioning
Team drills: see communication and game intelligence in action

All drills come with video demonstrations, so you can immediately see how each drill works and easily implement them with your team.

Tips & Tricks for running a successful volleyball tryout

Be clear about what you are evaluating: Tell players what you’re looking for — skill, effort, teamwork, attitude.
Keep drills simple but revealing: Choose exercises that quickly show technical ability and decision-making under pressure.
Use small-sided games: Let players demonstrate their game sense and adaptability in realistic game situations.
Observe communication closely: Players who communicate clearly often bring extra value to the team.
Take notes immediately: Record your observations after each drill to ensure a fair and complete evaluation.

Individual drills also available

Want players to train extra before or after the tryout?
VolleyballXL also offers individual volleyball tryout drills that players can use independently to sharpen specific skills.

Volleyball Tryout plan

A well-structured volleyball tryout plan evaluates a full range of skills, including serving, passing, setting, hitting, blocking, and defense. By clearly communicating the evaluation criteria and organizing the session into short, high-intensity drills and small-sided game play, coaches can assess both technical ability and team dynamics. A detailed schedule and consistent evaluation forms help ensure fairness for every athlete. VolleyballXL can support coaches in creating this complete volleyball tryout plan, offering structured drills, clear guidelines, and ready-to-use tools that make the selection process efficient, objective, and easy to execute.

Start preparing for your tryout today

Ready to run a smooth, professional tryout?
With our volleyball tryout drills, you’ll have everything you need to thoroughly test your players — and spot the talent that will strengthen your team.

How do you train for volleyball tryouts?

To train for volleyball tryouts, focus on improving your core skills: passing, serving, setting, hitting, blocking, and defense. Practice drills that simulate game-like situations and challenge your quick decision-making. Conditioning is also important — coaches look for players who can move fast and maintain a high energy level. Watching video examples, such as those from VolleyballXL, can help you visualize and execute drills correctly. Finally, prepare mentally: stay confident, communicate clearly, and show hustle during every drill.

What is the volleyball passing drill for tryouts?

A common passing drill for volleyball tryouts is the Serve & Pass Challenge. In this drill, players receive real serves from across the court and must accurately pass the ball to a target area (like a setter’s zone). Coaches watch for footwork, platform angles, and control under pressure. At VolleyballXL, we show this drill with video examples so you can easily learn and practice it before the tryout.

What not to do at volleyball tryouts?

At volleyball tryouts, avoid standing still when a play ends — coaches notice hustle and effort. Don’t get discouraged after mistakes; instead, show resilience and a positive attitude. Also, avoid poor communication: talking on the court is critical, even if you’re not confident yet. Finally, don’t focus only on your own performance; coaches are looking for team players who lift others up.