How to Pass in Volleyball

By Peter-Daniel

  Dig/Pass - A volleyball player's most important skill. This is done by bumping the ball by it bouncing off his/her fully extended arms.

Step 1: Remember that the first contact after a serve is mostly the pass, which sets in motion the three-step volleyball offense of dig, set, spike.

Step 2: Anticipate the flight path of the ball so that you can receive it in a non-moving, athletic position with your knees bent, your weight forward on the balls of your feet, and your arms straight forward and down.

Step 3: Hold your palms open and facing up, and then lay one hand on top of the other, while keeping you palms facing upward.

Step 4: Fold your hands inward until your thumbs are side by side, pointing away from your body and slightly down. Your knuckles should be pointing out.

Step 5: Bring in your elbows turn them so that your forearms are as close as possible, creating a flat platform from your elbows all the way to the tips of your thumbs.

Step 6: Square your shoulders and tilt your platform toward your target.

Step 7: Lastly allow the volleyball to bounce off your arms. Your pass will go where ever your shoulders are facing

Tip: Do NOT swing at the ball with your arms, swinging will cause it to be way more difficult to choose the direction of the ball as well as the height.

Note: Your aim is to pass the ball to about 2 feet off the net and at a comfortable height for your teammate(s) to get in position to set the volleyball.