In this video Coach Jim Nichols of the Syracuse Volleyball club teaches a receive to target drill focused on improving the three-person serve receive technique with an emphasis on communication, positioning, footwork, and readiness.
Coach Nichols introduces a structured drill where players call out “mine, yours, in, out” to communicate ball ownership, open their body position to the ball immediately after calling it, and then pass accurately to a target (the coach). The drill requires players to hand the ball to the coach rather than throw it, reinforcing control and precision.
Key aspects include the importance of opening the body toward the ball to prepare for passes, avoiding travel towards teammates to maintain court spacing, and understanding who is responsible for each ball. The drill stresses quick decision-making and movement, teaching players to pivot instead of sliding and to always maintain focus on the ball, especially when it hits the net or dribbles over. The coach introduces competition to increase engagement, rewarding successful consecutive passes to the target and encouraging players to be aggressive and dive for balls when necessary.
Throughout the drill, the coach highlights the importance of positive reinforcement, recognizing good habits such as proper footwork, good communication, and hustle. The ultimate goal is to make these behaviors habitual so players react instinctively during matches, improving their serve receive efficiency and overall team defense.
Highlights
- Emphasis on clear communication: Players must call “mine, yours, in, out” to avoid confusion.
- Proper footwork is critical: Pivoting over sliding and shuffling over crossing feet ensures readiness.
- Precision passing: Players hand the ball to the coach as a target, reinforcing control.
- Quick body positioning: Opening to the ball immediately after calling it avoids travel and confusion.
- ♂️ Hustle and readiness: Players are encouraged to move aggressively, dive for balls, and maintain focus.
- Positive reinforcement: Coaches reward good habits to build confidence and consistency.
- Competitive element added: Tracking consecutive successful passes increases motivation and game-like intensity.
Key Insights
- Communication is foundational: The drill’s first step—calling “mine, yours, in, out”—is crucial for team coordination. This verbal cue system minimizes hesitation, ensuring each player knows their role instantly. In game situations, this clear communication prevents collisions and missed balls, which are costly errors. By practicing this consistently, players internalize the importance of assertive and timely communication on the court.
- Opening the body to the ball improves passing accuracy and court coverage: The coach emphasizes that players must “open” their bodies as soon as they call the ball, meaning to position their torso and shoulders toward the ball’s trajectory. This increases passing accuracy by aligning the player’s platform with the ball’s path and also prevents players from drifting into teammates’ space, maintaining optimal court coverage. This habit reduces missed passes and confusion about ball responsibility.
- ♀️ Efficient footwork underpins successful serve receive: The coach instructs players to pivot rather than slide or cross their feet. Pivoting allows players to change direction quickly without losing balance or foot positioning, which are essential for reacting to unpredictable serves. Shuffling instead of crossing feet maintains a stable base and readiness to move, ultimately improving reaction times and consistency in serve reception.
- Controlled passing to the target builds precision and trust: Instead of tossing the ball, players must hand it to the coach, which emphasizes control over power or speed. This disciplined approach ensures players focus on accurate ball placement, which is crucial in serve receive to set up effective offensive plays. This also fosters trust between teammates, as consistent, accurate passes allow hitters and setters to execute plays reliably.
- ♂️ Aggressiveness and hustle are critical for ball control: The coach encourages players to “dive for the ball” and chase down every opportunity, reinforcing that effort can often compensate for imperfect positioning. This mentality not only increases the team’s chances of keeping the ball alive but also builds a culture of resilience and determination. Players who habitually make these efforts can change the momentum of matches by making seemingly impossible saves.
- Positive coaching and reinforcement accelerate skill acquisition: The coach’s strategy to immediately reward correct technique and hustle (e.g., “outer girl” praise) helps players internalize good habits and boosts their confidence. Positive reinforcement creates an encouraging learning environment where players are motivated to repeat successful behaviors. This approach is more effective than simply pointing out mistakes, as it builds mental resilience and a growth mindset.
- Adding competitive elements enhances drill effectiveness: By introducing a challenge to see how many consecutive balls can be passed to the target, the coach increases player focus and simulates game pressure. Competition elevates the intensity and realism of the drill, making players more engaged and invested. This also helps players learn to perform under stress, a critical skill for high-stakes match situations.
Overall, the drill encapsulates a holistic approach to serve receive, blending technical skill development with mental and physical preparedness. It highlights how fundamental elements—communication, body positioning, footwork, and effort—combine to create effective team defense and ball control. The detailed coaching cues and progressive challenges ensure players not only learn the mechanics but also develop the mindset needed for high-level volleyball performance.
For more great coaching tips, check out the Syracuse Volleyball Club’s YouTube Channel
The YouTube video below has audio, so please make sure that you volume is turned up