Call the Ball
Communication
Legend
- player
- coach / parent
- movement path
How it works
Teach young players to call 'mine' loudly every time they intend to contact the ball.
What you need
- volleyball
- net
Your focus
Calling the ball is the single most impactful communication habit in volleyball , it eliminates collisions, clarifies responsibility, and signals confidence to teammates. Young players often stay silent because they are focused on the ball rather than communicating. Drilling this habit early ensures it becomes automatic before silence becomes ingrained.
Coach explains the rule: 'Every time the ball comes to you, say MINE before you touch it.'
Coach tosses balls randomly to pairs of players standing 5 feet apart.
The player who wants the ball must call 'MINE' clearly before contacting it. The other player must freeze.
If neither player calls, the ball drops, that counts as an error for both.
Complete 20 tosses per pair. Count how many times both players called (collision risk) vs. one player (correct).
Helpful cues
- Loud enough for your whole team to hear
- Call it BEFORE you touch it, not during
- If you're not sure, still call it, be bold
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Start with solo practice, player calls 'mine' before every toss from coach.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Add a third player in the group; all three must decide quickly who calls it.No account needed
Build a practice plan
Add drills, keep the plan in this browser, then share a link with your staff or parents.This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.
This library helps you find the right drill. Inside UpLVL the right drill finds the player.After every practice, UpLVL automatically surfaces the drills each player needs to work on most. See it for yourself.