Basic Skills In Volleyball | Better At Volleyball (2024)

Volleyball is a really fun and exciting sport that’s played by teams of six players. The goal is to score points by hitting the ball over the net and into the other team’s court, while also trying to defend your own court and prevent the other team from scoring. There are a number of basic skills that are essential for playing volleyball well.

For example, serving is an important skill because you need to be able to get the ball over the net and into the other team’s court with power and accuracy. Passing is another important skill because you’ll need to be able to keep the ball in play by hitting it to your teammates using your forearms, wrists, or hands. Setting is a key skill as well, because you’ll need to be able to set the ball up for your teammates to hit. Hitting the ball over the net with power and accuracy is also important, and you’ll need to use a variety of shots like the spike and the block to do it. You’ll also need good footwork to move quickly and efficiently around the court, and communicate with your team, in order to get to the ball and make plays.

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Volleyball Serving

Serving is an essential part of my game as a volleyball player. It allows me to start each point with the ball and give my team a chance to score.

To serve effectively, I need to have good ball control and proper technique. I typically toss the ball into the air and hit it with my hand, using an overhead motion similar to a tennis serve. The serve must travel over the net and land within the boundaries of the opponent’s court, or it will be called a “fault” and the other team will receive the ball.

There are several different types of serves that I can use, including the topspin serve, the float serve, and the jump serve. Each type of serve has its own advantages and can be used in different situations.

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For example, the topspin serve is a good choice for me when I want to serve aggressively, because I can serve so much harder and the topspin makes the ball dip quickly as it crosses the net. The float serve, on the other hand, is a good choice for me when I want to serve more conservatively, because the ball travels more slowly and is more consistently in bounds.

Regardless of the type of serve I’m using, the key is to get the ball over the net with power and accuracy, in order to put pressure on the other team and give my team a chance to score. If they are able to play the ball, I want to make it as challenging as possible.

If you would like to learn more about serving rules, check out Volleyball Serving Rules: Your Questions Answered

Volleyball Passing

Passing, is an essential skill in volleyball, because it allows you to keep the ball in play and set up your teammates for attacks. There are several key techniques to consider when passing the ball:

  1. Start in a ready position, with your feet shoulder-width apart and your weight balanced on the balls of your feet. This will allow you to move quickly to the ball and make a good pass.
  2. When you see the ball coming your way, move to it quickly and get your arms into a good ready position. This means keeping your elbows bent and close to your body, and keeping your hands in front of you, about shoulder-height to be ready for both a platform pass, or an overhand volley.
  3. As you make contact with the ball, use your forearms, wrists, or hands to direct the ball where you want it to go. Keep your hands or arms, firm but relaxed, and use a smooth motion to pass the ball to your teammate.
  4. After you pass the ball, move to a good position on the court to be ready to attack a set from your setter, or to be ready to defend your opponent’s next play.

Remember, the key to good passing is to get the ball to your teammates with control and accuracy, so that your team can attack the ball and score.

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Volleyball Setting

Setting is an important skill in volleyball, because it allows you to control the direction and pace of the ball and set up your teammates for attacks. The setter is usually the player who distributes the ball to the hitters on their team, and it’s their job to put the ball into a good position for the hitters to attack.

To set the ball, the setter will typically receive a pass from one of their teammates and then use their hands to control the ball and set it up for an attack. The setter will typically set the ball to one of the hitters on their team, who will then try to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court.

There are several key techniques to consider when setting the ball:

  1. Start in a ready position, with your feet shoulder-width apart and your weight balanced on the balls of your feet. This will allow you to move quickly to the ball and make a good set.
  2. When you receive the ball, get your hands into a good setting position. This means keeping your elbows bent and close to your body, and keeping your hands in front of you, about shoulder-height.
  3. As you make contact with the ball, use your hands to control it and set it to a specific spot in the air your hitter will approach. Be sure to use a firm, but not too hard, stroke to set the ball, and aim for that specific imaginary spot.
  4. After you set the ball, move to a good position on the court to play defense with your teammates. Whether you are supposed to be ready to block, dig or cover tips will depend on your coach’s strategy and your spot in the rotation.

Remember, the key to good setting is to control the ball and put it into a good position for your teammates to attack.

Would you like to learn how to backset better? Take a look at 9 Tips for Amazing Back Setting

Volleyball Hitting

Hitting in volleyball is an exhilarating and powerful experience. When you’re on the court, and the setter places the ball in your space, it’s up to you to unleash all of your strength, skill, and determination and send the ball flying over the net. With a well-placed hit, you can put your opponents on their heels and seize the momentum of the game.

As you approach the ball, your heart races and your muscles tense, you prepare to unleash your power. You take a deep breath, and then you jump, reaching for the ball with all your might. As you make contact, you feel the satisfying thud of the ball against your hand, and you know that you’ve hit it with all the force you can muster.

The ball sails through the air, a blur of motion, and then it comes crashing down on the other side of the net. Your opponents scramble to defend, but it’s too late – the ball has already found its way to the floor, and you’ve scored a crucial point for your team.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of hitting a volleyball, and it’s one of the most thrilling and satisfying parts of the game. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner just starting out, you’ll find that hitting is an essential part of the sport, and it’s something that you’ll always look forward to doing.

Volleyball Blocking

Blocking is an important skill in volleyball, because it allows you to defend your court and prevent the other team from scoring. When you’re on the court, and the other team is hitting the ball towards your side, it’s up to you and your teammates to jump up and block the ball, in order to keep it from crossing over the net and falling to the ground on your side.

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Here are five tips for effective blocking:

  1. Start in a ready position, with your feet shoulder-width apart and your weight balanced on the balls of your feet. This will allow you to move quickly to the ball and make a good block.
  2. When you see the ball coming towards you, get into position to block it, directly across the net from the direction the ball is coming. This means jumping up and getting your hands above the net, with your palms facing the ball.
  3. As you make contact with the ball, use your hands and arms to block it and redirect it back over the net. Keep your arms straight and with your hands, reach for the ball with your hands slightly angled down, and aim for a spot on the other side of the net where your opponents cannot defend it.
  4. After you block the ball, get back into a ready position and prepare to block the next shot if your opponent keeps the rally going. Blocking is an ongoing process, and you’ll need to stay alert and ready to defend at all times.
  5. Communicate with your teammates as you block. Talk to them and let them know where you’re going to be and what you’re going to do, so that you can work together effectively to defend your court.

Remember, the key to good blocking is to be quick, agile, and coordinated with your teammates. With practice and determination, you can become a formidable blocker and help your team defend its court effectively.

To learn all about the different types of blocking, check out What Are the Different Types of Blocking in Volleyball?

Volleyball Digging

Digging is a defensive skill in volleyball that involves getting low and sometimes diving to the ground and using your arms and hands to deflect a hard-hit ball back up into the air, in order to keep the ball in play. When you’re on the court and the other team hits a shot that is headed towards the ground on your side, it’s up to you and your teammates to dig the ball up and keep it from hitting the floor.

To dig the ball, you’ll need to be quick and agile, with good hand-eye coordination and strong reflexes, as you anticipate the trajectory of the ball and move to intercept it. Once you reach the ball, you’ll need to use a firm motion to deflect it back up into the air.

Digging is an important skill in volleyball because it allows you to keep the ball in play and give your team a chance to score. It’s a demanding and physically demanding skill, and it requires a lot of practice to master. But with the right technique and determination, you can become a skilled digger and help your team defend its court effectively.

Ready to dig deeper on digging? What Is A Dig In Volleyball? Lessons, Drills, And Techniques

Volleyball Footwork

Footwork is an important skill in volleyball, because it allows you to move efficiently around the court and get to the ball quickly. Good footwork involves quick, agile movements that allow you to change direction and position quickly, in order to get to the ball and make plays.

There are several key techniques to consider when working on your footwork:

  1. Start in a ready position, with your feet shoulder-width apart and your weight balanced on the balls of your feet. This will allow you to move quickly and respond to the ball as it moves around the court.
  2. When you see the ball coming towards your zone, move to it quickly and get your body into a good position to make a play before the ball arrives. This means using short, quick steps to change direction and position, and staying low to the ground to increase your stability and balance.
  3. As you move around the court, pivot and change direction as needed. This will allow you to get to the ball more quickly and make better plays.
  4. After you make a play, get back into a ready position and prepare to move to the spot you’re likely to be needed next. Footwork is an ongoing process, and you’ll need to stay alert and ready to move at all times.
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Remember, the key to good footwork is to be quick, agile, and balanced as you move efficiently around the court. With practice and determination, you can improve your footwork and become a more effective volleyball player.

Volleyball Communication

Team communication is an essential part of volleyball, because it allows players to coordinate their movements and work together effectively on the court. When players communicate with each other, they can share important information about the location of the ball, the position of their teammates, and the strategy they should use to score points or to defend.

There are several key ways that players can communicate with each other on the court:

  1. Verbal communication: Players can use words and phrases to communicate with each other on the court. For example, players might say “Mine!” or “I got it!” to let their teammates know that they are in position to make a play on the ball. Or they may call a number or name to request that the ball be set to them for an attack because they are ready and approaching.
  2. Nonverbal communication: Players can also use body language and other nonverbal cues to communicate with each other on the court. This is usually done between plays and prior to the serve.
  3. Signals and hand gestures: Some teams use specific signals or hand gestures to communicate with each other on the court. For example, a player or coach may flash a number of fingers to indicate the zone they will serve to or the hitter that they wish to attack with on the next play.

Effective team communication is crucial for success in volleyball, because it allows players to work together and make better decisions on the court. By communicating with each other and staying in sync, players can coordinate their movements and execute plays more effectively, which can give them a competitive edge.

Jeff Lacroix

Jeff Lacroix is a lifelong volleyball player and in his late 40's, still enjoys mixing it up on the courts.

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Basic Skills In Volleyball | Better At Volleyball (2024)
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