Partner Toss and Pass

One partner tosses, the other forearm-passes the ball back to the tosser’s forehead. The simplest way to build a steady, accurate platform.

Focus

Forearm passing accuracy

Level

Beginner

Players

2 per ball

Equipment

1 ball per pair

Time

8–10 min

The tosser (grey) tosses to the passer, who passes the ball back up to forehead height.

📍 Setup

Partners face each other about 3–4 m apart. Pairs can line up side by side across the court, all passing in the same direction.

🪜 How to run it

1. The passer starts in a low ready position: feet wider than the shoulders, knees bent, weight on the balls of the feet.
2. The tosser makes a soft two-handed underhand toss to the passer’s waist.
3. The passer joins the hands, locks the elbows and angles the flat forearms toward the tosser.
4. The pass should come back high enough for the tosser to catch it above the forehead.
5. After 10 passes, switch roles.
6. Once passes are steady, toss one step to the left or right so the passer has to move first.

🏆 Scoring

One point for every pass the tosser catches above the forehead without moving their feet. Play to 10, then switch.

🧑‍🏫 Coaching this drill

What success looks like

A high, soft ball that drops straight into the tosser’s hands — the kind of pass a setter loves.

Coaching cues

Common mistakes

• Swinging the arms up past the shoulders. Fix: Keep the arms still and let the legs push the ball. Freeze the platform after contact for one second.
• Ball hits the hands or wrists. Fix: Contact the flat part of the forearms, a hand’s width above the wrists.
• Reaching to the side for the ball. Fix: Shuffle so the ball arrives in front of the body, between the knees.

When to move on

When the passer scores 7 or more out of 10 twice in a row, add side tosses — then continuous passing.