What is the Hourglass volleyball warmup drill? Hourglass is a four-line volleyball passing warmup across the net. Players toss and forearm-pass in a continuous loop, then rotate into the next line so the whole team gets movement, communication, and high-rep platform work in the first minutes of practice. Add a second ball once the single loop is clean.

ThatCoachKai drill

Hourglass Volleyball Warmup Drill

Four-line passing warmup for ball control and communication

Players
8+ (four lines)
Equipment
1 ball (add a second for the progression)
Time
8–12 min

Watch the demo

Full walkthrough of the single-ball loop and the two-ball progression.

Hourglass volleyball warmup drill demo thumbnail from ThatCoachKaiPlay demo

Setup

Four lines on the court, one primary player at each spot with a line behind them. The shape looks like an hourglass across the net.

Hourglass Warmup whiteboard diagram: four corner lines labeled 1–4 across the net

How to run Hourglass

  1. Form four lines at the hourglass spots: two on each side of the net, offset so the pass paths cross diagonally.
  2. Player 1 initiates with a toss over the net to player 2.
  3. Player 2 forearm-passes diagonally across the net to player 3.
  4. Player 3 passes to player 4; player 4 passes back to the next player in line 1.
  5. After each contact, that player leaves the court and joins the line they just passed toward. The next person in their old line steps up immediately.
  6. Keep one ball looping until the gym is warm and the pattern is clean.

Two-ball Hourglass progression

  1. Start the same way: ball A from 1 to 2.
  2. At the same time, initiate ball B from 3 to 4 so both balls travel in the same direction around the hourglass.
  3. Both balls should start on the same side of the net so they chase each other around the loop instead of colliding head-on.
  4. Demand timing and communication: call the ball, clear the spot, and step on without freezing the second ball.

Why Hourglass works

You need a high-velocity volleyball warmup that stacks passing reps, movement, communication, and court awareness in the first minutes of practice, not a static partner pass that leaves half the gym cold.

Watch for

  • Players follow the ball into the next line after every contact
  • Clear calls before they step on so lines do not collide
  • Toss quality from player one: a catchable initiation, not a rocket
  • On two balls: both start on the same side so the loops stay in sync

Common failure

Lines stop rotating or two players occupy the same spot. That is usually a communication miss, not a passing miss. Pause, reset the four primaries, and restart with louder calls.

Coaching cues

  • This should feel easy with one ball. If it does not, fix platform basics and talking before you add the second ball.
  • Follow the ball into the next line. Standing still after a pass kills the drill.
  • It is an awareness drill and a communication drill first. Passing quality rides on those two.
  • Two balls are the fun layer. Earn them with a clean single-ball loop.

Hourglass FAQ

What is a good volleyball warmup passing drill for a full team?
Hourglass is built for that: four lines across the net, continuous forearm passing, and constant rotation so most of the roster is moving and talking instead of waiting in a partner line.
How many players do you need for the Hourglass drill?
Eight or more works best so each of the four spots has a primary and a line. With fewer players, shorten the lines and keep the same four-spot geometry.
When should I add a second ball to Hourglass?
Only after one ball looks easy: clean platforms, loud communication, and automatic rotation into the next line. If the single loop is messy, the second ball will just create collisions.
Is Hourglass only a volleyball passing drill?
Passing is the contact, but the drill also trains awareness and communication. Players who only chase a perfect platform and forget to talk will run into each other.
    Hourglass Volleyball Warmup Drill | SoloCoach