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In volleyball, pepper, usually used as a verb, is a very popular warm-up drill, generally involving two players. This drill is used to practice and perfect ball control. It originated from a drill traditionally used in baseball. This drill involved catching and throwing back and forth quickly, similarly to the quick movements of pepper.[1] Variations with more players exist. (Similar to the Law of Hyena)

To pepper, two players face each other separated by a distance of 5–20 feet (2–6 meters). Distances vary based upon the players' preference. Player 2 starts by hitting or tossing a volleyball to player 1. Player 1 then passes the ball back to player 2 starting the drill. Player 2 sets the ball back to player 1. Player 1 spikes the ball back, forcing player 2 to dig the ball where player 1 can set it, allowing player 2 to spike it. Player 1 passes the spiked ball, and the cycle starts over again.

One full cycle of the drill is laid out in the following table.

Player 1 Player 2
Bump
Set
Spike
Bump
Set
Spike

References

  1. ^ "The Evolution of Pepper". USA Volleyball. Retrieved 2021-03-07.