GiveMeFootball.com - The Professional Footballers' Association

When volleying, the ball is met with the full instep (see diagram 1) (shaded in yellow)
Diagram (1) Players use the volley to lift the ball, or power it in any chosen direction:

Diagram 1

Coaches should ensure accuracy when practising, and encourage players to act confidently when volleying.

Regular practices are needed, and here are 3 to work at.

Practice 1

(1) Lifting the ball over an object to another player (diagram 2)

Volleying for accuracy in this practice. Player (A) using the full instep to lift the ball over the obstacle to ensure it drops exactly into the hands of the player (B) who then reserves the practice.

N.B. Coaches should stress - NOT TOO MUCH HEIGHT ON THE VOLLEY PASS

Practice 2

(2) Using a much larger area, players spread around the field volleying the ball to each other to catch (diagram 2). Players maintain a distance of at least 15 metres between each player.

Diagram 2

In diagram 2 (A) volleys to (D) who catches, then from his hands he volleys it to (C) and so the practice continues. Progressing to no hands. Players controlling the ball by foot, head, chest or thigh before volleying on to the next player.

Practice 3 Overhead volley pass

Player (A) throws the ball (around 5 metres away from B) towards (B) around chest height.

(B) leans backward, keeping one foot on the ground and, using the arms for balance, then volleys the ball over his head to player (C) standing around 10 metres behind him OR on to (D) who is further away.

Coaches should stress, good balance, eyes on the ball all the time and good leg control by the volleyer.

Players can turn around and reverse the practice so that D would become the server and C would attempt the overhead volley.