Volleyball Practice Plans for Ages 7–8
Age-appropriate volleyball practices for 7–8 year olds (U8) — built to keep every kid active and having fun. Contacts over lines — every player touching the ball.
Seven and eight year olds can start to handle a real skill or two per practice, but fun still comes first. Keep drills short and disguised as games, give constant reps, and use small-sided play (like 3v3) so nobody's stuck watching. They're starting to grasp simple rules — introduce one idea at a time and repeat it, don't lecture.
What a great 7–8 practice looks like
What to work on in volleyball
Forearm passing platform and footwork — the foundation, drilled in pairs for max contacts.
Hand position and soft touch, built through partner and small-group reps.
Underhand and overhand serving with a repeatable routine and lots of attempts.
2v2 and 3v3 give kids far more contacts and decisions than 6v6.
Gear: Lots of volleyballs (lighter ones for young kids), a net at the right height, and cones.
A sample 7–8 volleyball practice plan
Here's a real 45-minute plan Coach Coach generated for a 7–8 volleyball team. Yours is customized to your kids and ready in under 30 seconds.
🏆 Volleyball Practice — Ages 7-8 — 45 min
⏱️ Warmup (10 min)
- Volleyball Tag — Set up a small area with cones. Have one or two kids be "taggers" holding a volleyball. They tag others by gently touching them with the ball. Once tagged, players do 5 jumping jacks to rejoin the game. Keeps everyone moving and laughing.
🎯 Skill Work (20 min)
- Balloon Bump — Pair up kids with a balloon. Have them practice bumping (forearm pass) by keeping the balloon in the air as long as possible. Coaching Cue: "Hands together, arms straight!" Success looks like lots of giggles and balloons staying afloat.
- Wall Pass Challenge — Use a wall (or set up a net if you have one) and have kids take turns bumping the volleyball against it. Encourage them to see how many times they can hit it in a row. Coaching Cue: "Soft hands, watch the ball!" Success is getting a rhythm going and improving with each try.
🏃 Game Time (10 min)
- Mini Volleyball — Split into two teams of 5. Use a smaller court area with a lower net (or a rope stretched across). Play a simple version of volleyball where each team tries to get the ball over the net in 3 touches or less. Let the ball bounce once if needed. Focus on having fun and celebrating every successful pass or hit.
🧊 Wrap Up (5 min)
- High-Five Circle — Gather in a circle and have everyone share one thing they enjoyed or learned. Finish with a team cheer and lots of high-fives.
🎒 What to Bring
- 8 cones
- 5 volleyballs
- 10 balloons
- Optional rope for a makeshift net
📋 Coach's Cheat Sheet
- "Hands together, arms straight!" for bumping technique.
- "Soft hands, watch the ball!" when passing.
- Common Mistake: Kids might swing their arms too much. Gently remind them to keep arms steady and use their legs.
- Praise: Celebrate when they make a successful pass or keep the balloon up for a while.
✅ Coach Coach Check
- Every kid gets touches in every drill
- No standing in long lines
- At least one small-sided game
- Age-appropriate intensity and lots of fun
Coach your best practice tonight
Tell Coach Coach your sport, age group, and what to work on. Get a complete, age-appropriate volleyball practice in under 30 seconds — free.
Build your volleyball planVolleyball practice questions
What should a volleyball practice for 7–8 year olds look like?
Seven and eight year olds can start to handle a real skill or two per practice, but fun still comes first. Keep drills short and disguised as games, give constant reps, and use small-sided play (like 3v3) so nobody's stuck watching. They're starting to grasp simple rules — introduce one idea at a time and repeat it, don't lecture.
How do I maximize touches at volleyball practice?
Work in pairs and small groups with as many balls as you have. Partner passing and small-sided games give every player dozens of contacts instead of waiting in a line for one.
What should beginner volleyball players learn first?
Forearm passing (the bump) and a comfortable serve. Those two skills let kids actually rally, which is where the fun and learning happen.
Should young players use a lower net and lighter ball?
Yes. A lowered net and a lighter or foam ball let kids succeed, build real technique, and enjoy longer rallies.