Volleyball Outside Hitter Drills

Volleyball is a fun and competitive sport that requires skill, agility, and precision. One of the most important positions on the volleyball court is the outside hitter, who is responsible for hitting and blocking the ball. To become an effective outside hitter, you need to have a combination of physical and mental skills. In this article, we will discuss some effective volleyball outside hitter drills that can help improve your skills and take your game to the next level.

Importance of Volleyball Outside Hitter Drills

Volleyball outside hitters are responsible for scoring points by hitting and blocking the ball. These players need to have a combination of physical and mental skills to succeed on the court. Volleyball outside hitter drills can help players improve their footwork, approach, hitting, blocking, and mental preparation. By practicing these drills regularly, outside hitters can improve their performance and help their team win more games.

Drills for Footwork and Approach

Ladder Drill

The ladder drill is a footwork drill that can help volleyball outside hitters improve their agility and coordination. To perform this drill, place a ladder on the ground and stand at one end. Begin by stepping with one foot into the first square of the ladder, then step with your other foot into the same square. Next, step with your first foot outside the ladder, then step with your other foot outside the ladder. Repeat this pattern until you reach the end of the ladder. Then, turn around and repeat the drill going back to the starting point.

Cone Drill

The cone drill is another footwork drill that can help outside hitters improve their speed and agility. To perform this drill, place three cones in a straight line about three feet apart. Start at one end of the line and run around the first cone, then back to the starting point. Run around the second cone, then back to the starting point. Finally, run around the third cone and back to the starting point.

Jumping Jack Drill

The jumping jack drill is a drill that can help outside hitters improve their jumping ability and coordination. To perform this drill, stand with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Jump up and spread your feet apart while raising your arms above your head. Then, jump back down and bring your feet back together while lowering your arms to your sides. Repeat this drill for 30 seconds, then rest for 30 seconds before repeating.

Drills for Hitting and Blocking

Target Hitting Drill

The target hitting drill is a drill that can help outside hitters improve their hitting accuracy. To perform this drill, set up a target on the other side of the court, such as a cone or a bucket. Stand on the other side of the court and have a setter toss the ball to you. Your goal is to hit the target with your spike. Repeat this drill for 10-15 minutes, focusing on hitting the target every time.

Blocker vs. Hitter Drill

The blocker vs. hitter drill is a drill that can help outside hitters improve their blocking and hitting skills. To perform this drill, set up a net with a blocker on one side and a hitter on the hitting side. The hitter should try to hit the ball past the blocker, while the blocker should try to block the hitter’s shot. This drill can help both players improve their skills and learn to anticipate each other’s moves.

Three-Person Hitting Drill

The three-person hitting drill is a drill that can help outside hitters improve their hitting skills and timing. To perform this drill, have three players stand on one side of the net – a setter, a hitter, and a target. The setter tosses the ball to the hitter, who then hits it towards the target. The target catches the ball and throws it back to the setter, who repeats the drill. This drill can help the hitter improve their timing and accuracy while hitting the ball.

Mental Preparation for Volleyball Outside Hitters

Outside hitters need to be mentally prepared to perform their best on the court. Here are some drills that can help improve mental preparation:

Visualization Drill

The visualization drill is a drill that can help outside hitters improve their focus and visualization skills. To perform this drill, have the hitter visualize themselves hitting the ball and scoring a point. They should focus on the details of the shot, such as the angle, the speed, and the trajectory of the ball. This drill can help the hitter mentally prepare for their next game and visualize success.

Focus Drill

The focus drill is a drill that can help outside hitters improve their concentration and focus. To perform this drill, have the hitter stand in front of a wall with a small target on it. The hitter should focus on the target and try to hit it with a ball. This drill can help the hitter improve their focus and concentration, which can translate to better performance on the court.

Communication Drill

The communication drill is a drill that can help outside hitters improve their communication skills with their teammates. To perform this drill, have the hitter practice calling out the ball when it is coming towards them. This can help improve communication on the court, which can lead to better teamwork and more successful plays.

Conclusion

Volleyball outside hitters need to have a combination of physical and mental skills to succeed on the court. By practicing these effective volleyball outside hitter drills regularly, outside hitters can improve their skills, performance, and help their team win more games. Remember to focus on footwork, hitting, blocking, and mental preparation to become an effective outside hitter.

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