This is a very common problem, just be patient. Get them to yell me, mine, in, out, etc. at every instance that they touch the ball! Have the libero and setter take charge on the floor.
Also, I suggest that you devise drills where a ball is thrown in right after the end of a play so that they have to communicate. You can have a second team lined up against them or have just the first unit with no one on the other side. Here is a drill for 1st team vs. second team: let your first unit side-out – if they are successful – your hit a down ball to them (you toss a ball to second unit that they attack from back row and hit to first unit) – if successful you throw in a free ball – so you must 1) side-out; 2) be successful on down ball and 3) be successful on free ball to win a Big point – second unit wins big point if they hold first unit three times (or twice) – play to six.
With no team on other side – Put in ball after ball – just throw free balls and hit down balls from across the net – they must score 4-5 in a row!
Consequences – Correct bad errors or lack of communication by doing drill correctly right away. For physical consequences, I have my team run line drills – width of court 30, 60, 90 & 120 – 30 = sideline to sideline; 60=sideline to sideline and back; etc.
Length of court: 180 =endline to centerline back to endline to other endline and back 360 = endline to 10’ line back to endline to center line and back to other 10’ line and back to opposing endline and back.
Keeps them in shape and catches their attention.
Best of luck!
Terry
.