6 Volleyball Hitting Training Tools That Build Real Power and Precision

Your child comes home from volleyball practice buzzing with energy, talking about a great hit they made. You see their passion for the sport growing, but you also hear the coach talking about things like "arm extension" and "explosive power." You want to support their development, but the world of training equipment can feel overwhelming and expensive.

Investing in Your Hitter’s Arm Swing and Power

You watch your child play and see the determination. They swing hard, but the ball doesn’t always fly with the speed you see from older, more experienced players. It’s a common hurdle, and the solution is rarely just "swing harder."

True power in volleyball comes from technique, not just brute strength. It’s about coordinating the entire body—from the feet to the fingertips—into one fluid, explosive motion. This is where targeted training tools can make a world of difference. They isolate parts of the swing, build sport-specific muscle, and groove the correct mechanics through repetition.

Before you add anything to an online cart, take a moment to assess your child’s journey. Is volleyball a fun, seasonal activity with friends? Or is it becoming a year-round passion with club tryouts on the horizon? The right investment for a 10-year-old learning the basics is vastly different from the tool a 14-year-old needs to make the varsity team.

The Edge Pro Trainer for Perfecting Arm Extension

You’ve heard the coach shout it a hundred times: "Reach high! Contact the ball at the peak!" The Edge Pro Trainer is a simple device designed to teach exactly that. It holds a volleyball at the ideal height and position, forcing the player to extend their arm fully and snap their wrist over the ball to make contact.

This tool is a game-changer for players in the 11-14 age range. At this stage, they have the physical coordination to understand the mechanics of a powerful swing but haven’t yet built the thousands of repetitions needed to make it automatic. The Edge helps ensure they are practicing the perfect motion, creating muscle memory that will hold up under the pressure of a real game.

This is a specialized piece of equipment, best suited for a player who is serious about the hitting position. If your child has shown a consistent desire to improve their attack, this is a worthy investment. It’s not a day-one purchase for a beginner, but it’s an incredibly effective tool for refining the technique of a committed player.

Tandem Target Challenger for Hitting with Accuracy

A powerful swing is exciting, but a powerful swing that sends the ball into the net or out of bounds doesn’t score points. The Tandem Target Challenger directly addresses the other crucial half of attacking: precision. It’s a large, adjustable ring on a stand that gives your hitter a clear visual goal to aim for.

What makes this tool so valuable is how it grows with your athlete. A younger player’s goal might simply be to hit the ball through the target from a stable position. As they advance, you can move the target to deep corners or position it to force them to hit around a simulated block. It transforms a vague goal ("hit it there") into a measurable, achievable challenge.

Because of its versatility, the Target Challenger is also used for setting and passing drills, making it a fantastic long-term investment. It holds its value well for resale or can be handed down to a younger sibling, regardless of their position. If several kids on the team are looking to practice, this is an excellent item for a group purchase.

Tachikara Weighted Ball for Building Arm Strength

As your athlete gets older and more serious, you might hear them talk about wanting a faster arm swing. A weighted training ball is a tool designed specifically to build the muscles that generate that velocity. It’s used for controlled drills—not for hitting back and forth over a net—to strengthen the shoulder, back, and core in the exact sequence of a volleyball attack.

This is a tool that requires caution and maturity. A weighted ball should only be used by athletes with solid, established mechanics, typically ages 14 and up. Using one too early or without proper form can place undue stress on a developing shoulder and lead to injury.

• Ages 14+: Appropriate for dedicated players under the guidance of a coach.
• Ages 11-13: Use with extreme caution and only with direct professional supervision.
• Under 11: Avoid this tool. Focus on bodyweight exercises and perfect form with a regulation ball.

Think of this as a dumbbell for a volleyball player. The goal is a low number of perfect, controlled repetitions. It is an investment for the serious, physically mature athlete who is ready to move from proficiency to dominance.

SKLZ Resistance Bands for Explosive Arm Speed

Raw strength is one thing; explosive speed is another. A quick arm snap is generated by fast-twitch muscle fibers, and resistance bands are one of the best and safest ways to train them. By adding resistance to the hitting motion, these bands force the muscles to fire more powerfully, leading to a faster swing when the resistance is removed.

This is arguably the most versatile and cost-effective tool on this list. A young player, around 10-12 years old, can use light bands to warm up and reinforce proper shoulder mechanics. A competitive high school player can use heavier bands as a core part of their strength and conditioning program. They are also essential for shoulder stability and injury prevention exercises.

For the price, a set of quality resistance bands is one of the smartest purchases a parent can make. They are portable, durable, and beneficial for almost any sport your child might play. This is a low-risk, high-reward investment in your child’s overall athleticism and long-term joint health.

J/fit Plyo Boxes for Increasing Vertical Jump

A great hitter doesn’t just swing hard; they fly. A higher vertical jump allows a player to contact the ball well above the net, opening up the entire court for attack. Plyometric boxes are the foundational tool for building the explosive leg power required to jump higher.

Safety and progression are everything when it comes to plyometrics. An athlete doesn’t start with a 36-inch box jump. They begin with low boxes (6-12 inches) to master the technique, especially the landing, which is crucial for preventing knee injuries.

• Beginner (Ages 12+): Once a child has good body control, start with very low boxes, focusing on form.
• Intermediate/Advanced (Ages 14+): As strength and coordination improve, gradually increase the height under supervision.

While they are a significant investment, foam plyo boxes are a multi-purpose piece of fitness equipment. They can be used by the whole family for general fitness and are essential for athletes in other sports like basketball, track, or soccer. If you’re building a garage gym for multiple athletes, this is a cornerstone piece of equipment.

Bownet Practice Station for Solo Repetitions

One of the biggest challenges for a passionate volleyball player is getting enough practice reps. You need a setter, a net, and space. A practice station, like those from Bownet, solves this problem by providing a large net and a ball-return system that allows a player to practice hitting solo in a backyard or driveway.

This is a tool for the truly dedicated athlete. It’s for the child who lives and breathes volleyball and is constantly asking for more gym time. If you have a player who is committed to club volleyball and wants to put in extra work on their own, a practice station allows them to get hundreds of extra swings a week.

These stations are a significant investment in both cost and space. Before making this purchase, be certain your child’s interest is a long-term commitment, not a passing phase. This is the kind of equipment you buy when volleyball has become a central part of your child’s identity and family’s schedule.

Balancing Gear with Drills and Game Experience

It’s tempting to believe that the right piece of equipment will be the magic key to unlocking your child’s potential. In reality, these tools are amplifiers. They take the hard work, coaching, and dedication your child is already showing and make it more efficient and effective.

The foundation of a great player will always be excellent coaching, focused team practices, and the invaluable lessons learned during a real game. No tool can teach a player how to read a defense, communicate with a setter, or handle the pressure of a tie-breaking point. That wisdom is earned on the court.

Your role is to be an observant and supportive partner in your child’s athletic journey. Invest in tools that solve a specific problem or address a coach’s feedback. Match the investment to their current level of passion and commitment. The goal isn’t to build a collection of gear, but to provide the right support at the right time to fuel their love for the game.

Ultimately, choosing the right training tools is about thoughtfully supporting your child’s unique path. By matching your investment to their developmental stage and passion, you give them the resources to build skill, confidence, and a healthy love of the sport that will serve them for years to come.