Pass A Volleyball On the Beach Better By Keeping The Ball Off The Net

In indoor volleyball you pass a volleyball to your setter who waits close to the net in Zone 3. In beach volleyball you want to pass the ball off the net.   

Pass A Volleyball: If you're an indoor player in the process of "getting your sand legs" here is a beach volleyball passing tip that'll improve your game. Keep the ball off the net. (Ralph Aversen)

Learning to pass a volleyball is usually one of the first things to practice when learning how to play on the beach.

There are some passing strategies that are important for girls playing beach volleyball for the first time need to know.

Its challenging enough to learn how to walk and run in the sand much less perform skills like passing a volleyball.

If you're an indoor player that's in the process of "getting your sand legs" here is a tip on how to pass a volleyball on the beach that will help you improve your game.

In indoor volleyball you pass a volleyball to your setter who waits close to the net in Zone 3. In beach volleyball you want to pass the ball off the net. (Ralph Aversen)

This was one habit that took me a little time to get used to.

When I went from indoor volleyball to sand volleyball, it came naturally to continue to do what I was trained to do indoors.

That meant I would pass the ball right up to the setter position, which is right on the net.

And since we are trained to pass a volleyball as close to the net as possible in indoor volleyball, it only comes naturally to want to do the same on the beach.

The problem is that the passer who receives the ball needs to allow plenty of time for their partner to run and take three of four steps in the sand to get into position to set the volleyball.

The setter is moving forward at a fast pace to get into position, and before stopping they need to turn and get perpendicular to the net.

In indoor volleyball hitters start their approach at or around the ten foot line.

Pass A Volleyball: As you and your partner's ability to pass a volleyball on the sand improves, then both of you can make adjustments to your ideal serve receive target area. (Ralph Aversen)

But girls playing beach volleyball start further back in the court and (tall ones especially) are taking off all the way from midcourt in order to get into spike approach position.

They need time to make all these movements without risking the chance of becoming a tuna fish caught in the net.

Ideally you want to pass a volleyball so that it lands about three to four feet off the net.

The ball should land between your serve receive starting position and the net, which leaves plenty of room for your partner to get into position and give you a great set that should keep you about two feet off the net.

As you and your partner's ability to pass a volleyball on the sand improves, then both of you can make adjustments to your ideal serve receive target area.

Another reason you want to pass a volleyball off the net in the sand is that depending on what side you are on, the wind will become a factor. (Ralph Aversen)

Another reason you want to pass a volleyball off the net in the sand is that depending on what side you are on, the wind will become a factor.

If you pass the ball too close to the net, the wind will take it and blow it over the net into the hands of the opposing team's blocker who won't be able to thank you enough for giving them such an easy point.

One more thing before I go, for new beach volleyball players the concept of passing a ball with your feet becomes very crucial when you start to master the skill of passing on the beach.

As an indoor volleyball player coming to the sand, don't become a "Tower of Pisa" that leans  and lunges to pass a volleyball.

Pass A Volleyball: As an indoor volleyball player coming to the sand, don't become a "Tower of Pisa" that leans and lunges to pass a volleyball. (Ralph Aversen)

I know this is one of the hardest things for indoor middle blockers to have to learn, since middle blockers are usually not the primary passers on their indoor volleyball teams. 

The best part and the worst part of the game is learning how much you need to use your legs to...

a) stay on top of the sand

b) move you to get you into position behind the ball, 

c) help you stay low to deliver a controlled pass to your intended target.

This has been an important message by your favorite volleyball coach! That's me!!

Thanks for visiting.

Be sure to check out more of my volleyball articles by clicking one of the links below!  (April Chapple)

Follow me on Instagram @coach_apchap to improve your game even faster!

I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 

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