It is nearly impossible to make it through a season of girls volleyball without engaging in at least one session Pepper, since it's a simple drill that covers all the basic skills of the game. Many girls volleyball teams like to use Pepper as a warm-up drill before a game.
In its most basic incarnation, the girls volleyball Pepper drill is performed in pairs. The players stand facing each other anywhere from 5-20 feet apart, depending on their skill level and ball control. At the beginning of the drill, player 2 has the ball.
At the sound of the coach's whistle, player 2 tosses the ball to player 1, who passes it back to player 2. Player 2 then sets the ball to player 1, who spikes it back to player 2. Player 2 now must dig for the spiked ball, which player 1 sets back to player 2. Player 2 now spikes the ball for player 1, who digs for it and starts the drill over again.
Each player performs one pass, one set, and one spike per rotation of the drill. Repeat in 2-5 minute sessions, allowing at least 30 seconds of rest between each session.
One of the best aspects of the Pepper drill is that it can be adapted to keep the players from getting too comfortable with the series of movement. Here are some variations on the Pepper drill to keep the girls on their toes.
Six-Touch Variation
This drill is also performed in pairs, with one ball between the two players. To begin, player 2 tosses a down ball to player 1. Player 1 performs a series of six touches on the ball before sending it back to her partner.
First, player 1 digs the ball to herself, tomahawk's the ball to herself, hits the ball with her left fist, then the right fist, then sets the ball up to herself, then finally hits a down ball back towards her partner. Player 2 repeats the movements in the same order.
Once the girls have gotten comfortable with the order, try performing this drill on the court so that players have to hit the down balls over the net to their partners.
Cross Court Variation
For this Pepper variation, players stand diagonally from each other on opposite sides of the net. Player 2 sends a down ball over to Player 1 who digs the ball up to herself, sets it to herself and sends a down ball over the net and across to her partner. Player 2 repeats the series of actions before sending the ball back to player 1.
Once the team has become comfortable with the drill, have everyone take a few giant steps backwards and repeat.
4 x 2 Variation
This Pepper variation requires you to split your girls volleyball team into groups of four. To begin, two players stand on either side of the net. Player 2 sends a down ball over the net. Player 1 digs the ball to her partner who sets the ball upwards for Player 1 to hit a down ball diagonally over the net back towards player 2.
Larry Reid has been coaching volleyball for well over a decade. You can get instant access to his championship volleyball practice plans and drills by visiting his website:
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