6 Best Volleyball Training Aids For Passing That Correct Bad Habits

You’re sitting on the bleachers, watching your child’s volleyball game, and you see it happen again—a perfect serve comes their way, and the pass goes flying into the net or the stands. You know they have the desire, but a few persistent bad habits are holding back their confidence on the court. The right training tools aren’t magic wands, but they can provide the specific feedback and repetition needed to turn those frustrating moments into foundational skills.

Choosing Aids to Build a Solid Passing Platform

Before you start adding items to your online cart, let’s talk about the "why." In volleyball, passing isn’t just about bumping the ball; it’s about creating a stable, angled "platform" with the forearms to direct the ball precisely to the setter. Most bad habits—like swinging the arms, breaking the platform, or not moving the feet—stem from a misunderstanding of this core concept. Training aids are designed to isolate and correct these specific mechanical flaws.

The key is to match the tool to the problem. Is your 11-year-old constantly splitting their arms apart on contact? A simple restraint tool might be the answer. Is your more competitive 14-year-old struggling with accuracy? A target system would be a better fit. Think of these aids as guardrails for skill development. They provide immediate physical or visual feedback that a parent or even a coach can’t always replicate, helping your child feel the correct movement.

Remember, this isn’t about buying the most expensive or complex gadget. For a beginner just joining a rec league, a low-cost aid that fixes one major issue is a fantastic investment in their enjoyment. For a player aiming for the school team, a more versatile tool that hones multiple skills might be worth the extra cost. The goal is to buy for the player you have now, with an eye toward the player they are trying to become.

Tandem Pass Rite to Keep Passing Arms Together

You hear the coach say it a dozen times every practice: "Keep your arms together!" It’s one of the first and most difficult habits for young players to master. When their arms separate upon impact, the pass loses all control. The Tandem Pass Rite is a simple, effective tool designed to solve this exact problem.

This aid is essentially a set of adjustable straps that connect a player’s wrists or upper arms, physically preventing them from breaking their platform. It doesn’t allow for cheating. By wearing it during drills, a player is forced to use their shoulders and legs to guide the ball, which is the correct technique. The muscle memory built while using the device translates directly into better habits when it’s taken off.

This is an ideal tool for beginner and early intermediate players, typically in the 10-to-14-year-old range. It’s a low-cost, high-impact solution for one of volleyball’s most common fundamental challenges. If your child is just starting their volleyball journey, this is often one of the most practical first purchases to build a solid foundation.

SKLZ Reaction Ball for Better Footwork & Agility

Does your child seem to get "stuck" on the court, waiting for the ball to come directly to them? Great passing is overwhelmingly about footwork—getting into position before creating the platform. The SKLZ Reaction Ball is a fantastic, dynamic tool for shaking players out of that static mindset.

This six-sided rubber ball bounces in completely unpredictable ways. When you toss it to a player, they can’t just stand and wait; they are forced to take quick, explosive steps to react to the ball’s erratic path. This trains the rapid-fire footwork and agility that are essential for getting behind a serve or a hit. It turns a mundane footwork drill into a fun, engaging, and challenging game.

While not a traditional volleyball-specific tool, its benefits are immense. It’s perfect for players of all ages who need to improve their defensive quickness. For younger athletes (ages 8-12), it builds foundational athletic skills that will serve them in any sport they choose to play, making it a versatile and long-lasting investment for your family’s sports equipment bin.

AcuSpike Platform Trainer for a Consistent Angle

Your player has stopped swinging their arms and is keeping their platform together, but the passes are still inconsistent—some are too high, some are flat, and few go right to the target. This is often an issue of an inconsistent platform angle. The AcuSpike Platform Trainer addresses this by teaching players how to feel the correct angle for directing the ball.

This device straps onto the player’s forearms and features a flat, paddle-like surface with a small ball in the center. It provides instant tactile and auditory feedback. If the pass is made correctly on the flat surface, the ball makes a satisfying "click" and goes in the intended direction. If the angle is off or the contact is on the wrists, the feedback is immediate and obvious.

This is a more advanced tool, best suited for intermediate players (ages 12-16) who have mastered the basics but need to refine their precision. It’s for the player who understands the "what" of passing but needs help with the "how" of consistent execution. It helps them transition from just getting the ball up to strategically placing the ball for the setter.

Baden SkilCoach Ball to Strengthen Forearms

"It hurts my arms!" This is a common refrain from younger players, and it often leads to them pulling away from the ball or developing improper swinging motions to compensate. The Baden SkilCoach Ball is designed to address this by building strength and proper technique simultaneously.

This ball is slightly heavier than a regulation volleyball. The added weight forces players to use their legs and core to pass, discouraging arm swinging and promoting the use of a solid, stable platform. It also helps build forearm and wrist strength, conditioning the player to the impact of the ball. Over time, passing a regulation ball becomes noticeably easier and less painful.

This is a great tool for players in the 10-to-14-year-old range, especially those who are more tentative on the court. It’s important to use it for short, controlled drills to avoid overuse. Think of it as strength training specifically for passing—a few minutes with this ball can make a world of difference in a player’s confidence and resilience.

Tandem Target Challenger for Passing Accuracy

At-home practice can sometimes feel aimless, with your child just bumping a ball against the garage door. The Tandem Target Challenger transforms that repetition into purposeful, goal-oriented training. It provides a clear, physical target for players to aim for, simulating the act of passing to a setter.

This training aid consists of a hoop-like target that can be held by a parent or coach, or attached to the volleyball net’s antenna. The goal is simple: pass the ball through the target. This immediately shifts the player’s focus from just "getting the ball up" to "passing the ball to a specific spot." It makes practice more engaging and provides instant, visual feedback on their accuracy.

This is an excellent investment for any player who practices outside of their team sessions, particularly those at the intermediate to advanced level (ages 12 and up). It’s perfect for the dedicated player who wants to see measurable improvement in their ball control. The adjustable height also means it can grow with your player, from youth leagues to high school training.

Franklin Rebounder for Solo Passing Repetition

Your child is motivated to practice, but you can’t always be their partner to pepper with. A rebounder, or pitch-back net, is the ultimate solution for solo practice, providing the high volume of touches needed to build unshakable muscle memory.

A good rebounder can be set at various angles to simulate different types of passes. A player can stand close for rapid-fire control drills or farther back to work on moving to the ball. The immediate return allows for a rhythm and repetition that is impossible to achieve alone. It’s a tireless practice partner that enables a player to get hundreds of touches in a short amount of time.

This is a significant investment, but its value extends beyond just volleyball. It can be used for baseball, lacrosse, or soccer, making it a fantastic piece of equipment for an active, multi-sport family. For the truly committed volleyball player (ages 11+), a rebounder is one of the best tools for accelerating skill development through sheer, focused repetition.

Integrating Training Aids Into Practice Sessions

Owning the right gear is only half the battle; using it effectively is what creates real change. Training aids should not be used for an entire practice. Instead, think of them as tools for a focused warm-up or a short, corrective drill. The goal is to create a feeling that the player can then try to replicate without the aid.

A great approach is to start a practice session with 5-10 minutes of drills using the specific aid. For example, use the Pass Rite for 20 controlled passes, then immediately take it off and perform 20 more, trying to maintain that "together" feeling. Use the reaction ball for a few minutes to get the feet moving and the brain firing, then transition into regular passing drills.

The key is to use the aid to teach a concept, then remove it to test the learning. Over-reliance on any tool can become a crutch, preventing a player from developing the intrinsic feel for the skill. Used correctly, however, these aids are powerful teaching accelerators that can help a player break through a plateau and build lasting confidence.

Remember, the goal of any training aid is to make itself obsolete. These tools are designed to correct bad habits and build muscle memory until the proper technique becomes second nature. By choosing an aid that targets your child’s specific needs, you’re not just buying equipment; you’re investing in their confidence, skill, and long-term love for the game.