Equipment Needed
- 1 ball
- Net
- Court split into two smaller courts if numbers allow
Setup
- Split the group into small teams of 2 or 3 on each side of a smaller court.
- Designate one side as the 'Queen's court' — the side that stays on to defend its position.
Instructions
- Play out a rally to 1 point (rally scoring, first team to earn the point wins the exchange).
- The winning team stays on the Queen's court; the losing team rotates off and a new team rotates on.
- Track how many consecutive rallies each team wins as the 'Queen' to add a competitive element.
- Continue for a set time limit rather than a fixed score, so every group gets even playing time.
Coaching Points
- Require at least three contacts (pass, set, hit) before the ball crosses the net to reinforce team play over one-touch returns.
- Call out communication expectations before starting — 'mine,' 'help,' 'out' — and hold players to them.
- Use short rallies to correct technique quickly rather than letting bad habits repeat through a long point.
- Rotate positions within each team between games so players get reps passing, setting, and hitting.
Variation
Require a specific play type to score (e.g., must use a set before attacking) to reinforce a skill you're emphasizing that week.