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Beginner Players Must Learn The 6 Basic Skills In Volleyball First

Beginner players looking to learn how to perform all six of the basic skills in volleyball serving, passing, setting, digging, hitting and blocking start here.  

In this section, which I've dedicated to beginner players..you'll find a directory of all the basic skills in volleyball, basic rules, basic drills and all the basic information that a player needs to know, to learn to study in order to improve their skills so they move from freshman team to JV team to varsity team.

Okay beginners...so lets start with the basics in volleyball which are in order of importance

• serving
• passing
• hitting
• setting
• blocking
• digging

In this section, which I've dedicated to beginner players..you'll find a directory of all the basic skills in volleyball, basic rules, basic drills and all the basic information that a player needs to know, to learn to study in order to improve their skills so they move from freshman team to JV team to varsity team. 

In this section I put the beginner basic information about every type of of serve that you'll need to know about.

From the specifics about the toss for the float serve, to how to underhand serve, to an introduction to more advanced serves like the top spin and jump float serve to understanding what a let serve is. 

Hint: the let serve is a serving rule you should know as a freshman player. 

The serve is the way the ball is launched over the net to start the rally after the ref has blown the whistle. 

Each official match must

• begin with a serve from one team on defense which
• is launched into the court of the opposing team who's receiving serve
• by a player in their service area behind the end line
• with the intent on starting the rally and possibly scoring a point

Learn important volleyball serving rules and answers to basic serving volleyball questions about what's legal when serving a ball from behind the service line.

Click to go to the page with the rest of the article information.

Beginner Players Must Learn The 6 Basic Skills In Volleyball First: The service in volleyball is the skill used by a player to launch the ball over the net to start a rally. (Ralph Aversen)

The volleyball serve skill is used by a player to launch the ball over the net to start a rally. 

The serve puts the ball in play once the referee blows the first whistle.

Before the first set of the match the team that wins the coin toss is the team that gets to serve first. 

Learn what the service in volleyball is, who serves and when and discover where the server stays on the court when the ref blows the whistle to start the rally.

Click to go to the page with the rest of the article information.

Your volleyball toss for the overhand must be consistent regardless of what serving style you choose…but especially important for the standing float serve.

Your volleyball toss for the overhand must be consistent regardless of what serving style you choose…but especially important for the standing float serve.

You have to learn to toss the volleyball ball the same way, …at the same height, putting the ball in the same spot every single time.

If you have a problem with your serve, one of the first places to look, in order to solve your problem is at your toss.

Click to go to the page with the rest of the article information.

Beginner Players Must Learn The 6 Basic Skills In Volleyball First: Here's a ten-step underhand volleyball serve checklist for beginner players.

Here's a ten-step underhand volleyball serve checklist for beginner players.

Learn how to boost your serve game and drastically impact your ability to make big contributions to your squad from the service line. 

Click to go to the page with the rest of the article information.

Basic Skills in Volleyball Passing is the most important skill.

Many people think that passing is the most important of the six basic skills in volleyball. 

There are three volleyball forearm pass cues you should use to improve your passing skills, keep your arms together, feet grounded and hips behind the ball.

• keep your arms together
• keep both feet on the ground
• move quickly to position yourself behind the ball

A volleyball passing platform is with forearms clasping your thumbs together and pointing them to the ground so ball contacts above wrists and below elbows.

The digging and passing platform in volleyball is where the ball, after an attack hit, contacts your forearms to be deflected and/or redirected into the air usually towards the middle of the court towards the setter zone near the middle of the net.

A volleyball passing platform is with forearms clasping your thumbs together and pointing them to the ground so ball contacts above wrists and below elbows.  

Basic Skills in Volleyball Passing is the most important skill.

What is the ready position for passing in volleyball?

The four steps to passing in volleyball starts with a passer who adopts a volleyball stance for passing 

• clasps your thumbs together keeping them side by side and pointed to the ground
• which creates a flat surface on your forearms above your wrists and below the insides of your elbows...
• used to guide/deflect and angle a ball after contacting its underside

to another player or over the net.  

Click to go to the page with the rest of the article information.

The volleyball spike approach for hitting is also called the spike approach and is done by a spiker who takes 3 or 4 steps to a ball in the air before hitting it. 

Basic Skills in Volleyball Learning to hit is a big deal because you score points for the team.

Step One of the Three Step Volleyball Approach

The directional step is the first of three...

• which you'd use to propel yourself closer to where you want to contact the ball...
• this is your directional step...and
• this should be the slower step you take...

For a quick review...

As a right handed hitter you'd

• step on your left foot first ...
• which you'd use to propel yourself closer to where you want to contact the ball...
• This is your directional step...and this should be the slower step you take..

These terms describe what its called when you hit a volleyball specifically the 'kill', 'spike', 'hit' and 'attack' which are 4 diff types of volleyball hits. 

A lot of players and high school coaches have difficulty deciding where the hands need to be while moving along the net to block a ball.

Basic Skills in Volleyball Blocking at the net is the first line of defense. The Block in Volleyball: Where Do Blockers Place Their Hands?

When you block in volleyball just what should you do with your hands?

Another way to learn how to block a volleyball efficiently is to keep the palms of your hands up at shoulder height in a ready position.

Four Volleyball Blocking Tips These're Basic Rules for Better Blocking

Blocking is the first line of defense.  

To block well you are required to

1. have good footwork  
2. have great body control while moving laterally and vertically 
3. read your hitter to anticipate where and how she plans to attack 
4. penetrate your hands over the net to block the ball by deflecting it back into your opponents court

To learn what is legal and what common fouls and faults are allowed in the game read this article about volleyball blocking tips.

The dig is the last line of defense for a team to keep an opposing team's attack from scoring points by keep the ball off the floor.

The dig is the last line of defense for a team to keep an opposing team's attack from scoring points by keep the ball off the floor.

To dig a volleyball that's more than 2-3 steps away from you and low to the floor, you need to know 

• how to play balls up on the move, then
• complete your digging action and 
• fall to the ground in a safe way that you get back up and keep playing without getting hurt. 

To pick balls up that are 3-4 feet away from you can use the barrel roll technique we teach in Vegas Volleyball Boot Camp classes. 

Defensive plays are made in a rally, after a team serves, the serving team is on defense and the team who is receiving the serve is on offense. 

The team on defense has three blockers in the front row who will try and stop the opposing team's attack hit at the net by blocking the ball before it comes over the net.

Click to Download Your Jump Float Volleyball Serve Mastery Checklist pdf:

🎯Jump Float Volleyball Serve Mastery Guide - $7

Are you attempting jump float serves but lacking the technical precision that creates consistent power and accuracy? Why Struggle with Jump Float Serves When You Could Master Them Systematically?

Jump Float Serve Checklist pdf You'll Get: Approach and Setup Methods, Jump and Timing Techniques, Ball Contact Fundamentals and Landing and Follow-through

You'll Get:

Approach and Setup Methods                --Master 3-step and 4-step approaches with optimal spacing and ball positioning

Jump and Timing Techniques                  -Perfect the slow-to-fast acceleration that creates maximum vertical lift and power

Ball Contact Fundamentals                        Learn the "high five" contact method for consistent float effect and accuracy

Landing and Follow-through                    Execute safe two-foot landings with proper hip rotation and shock absorption

Click to Download Your Tactical Serving Strategy Checklist pdf:

🎯Tactical Serving Strategy Checklist Guide - $7

Are you serving without strategic purpose while opponents easily run their offense? Why React to Opponents When You Could Be Controlling Them?

You'll Get: Pre-game intelligence methods - Identify technical weaknesses and poor passing habits during opponent warm-ups Strategic target selection, Situational serving tactics, Mental approach strategies, Coach April's tactical tips, 1-page PDF checklist.

You'll Get:

Pre-game intelligence methods               --Identify technical weaknesses and poor passing habits during opponent warm-ups

Strategic target selections                                  Master seam serving and zone targeting that creates immediate passing problems

Situational serving tactics                           Know when to serve aggressively vs. safely based on score and game situation

Mental approach strategies                  Develop point-scoring mentality and force passers out of comfort zones

Coach April's tactical tips                                    Adjust serving strategy mid-game and target front-row hitters effectively

1-page PDF checklist                                            Convenient format you can print or keep on your device for strategic reference

Click to Download Your Consistent Toss Mastery Checklist pdf:

🎯Consistent Toss Mastery Guide - $7

Are inconsistent tosses sabotaging your serves and forcing you to chase the ball? Why fight your toss when you could master the foundation of every great serve?

You'll Get: Starting position fundamentals - Master hand positioning and arm alignment for consistent toss trajectory "Two Up, One Forward" formula - Perfect the exact ball placement that eliminates serving errors Advanced consistency techniques - Develop fingertip release and straight-arm motion for precise control Daily training methods - Build muscle memory with progressive rep systems that guarantee improvement Coach April's toss secrets - Master the foundation skill that helped set Tennessee's #2 career aces record 1-page PDF checklist - Convenient format you can print or keep on your device for daily practice

Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience. These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis. Sign up now!

Follow me on Pinterest Volleybragswag 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. 

Here are three options: 

1. Learn more about the volleyball information on Improve Your Volley.com in the Related Links below.  
2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page  Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
3. Or visit the pages in the Information section in the drop down menu at the top of the page. 

Frequently Asked Questions about the Volleyball Forearm Pass

The forearm pass, also known as a bump or pass, is a fundamental skill in volleyball used to receive an opponent's serve or pass the ball to a teammate. It involves using the forearms to control and direct the ball to the desired target.

Q: What is a forearm pass in volleyball?

A: The forearm pass, also known as a bump or pass, is a fundamental skill in volleyball used to receive an opponent's serve or pass the ball to a teammate.

It involves using the forearms to control and direct the ball to the desired target.

I like to work on this 3 person "Dodgeball" drill where the person in the middle has to choose which side to get their midsection out of the way of the oncoming ball that's being tossed at their chest before they present their passing platform with an angled shoulder positioned towards the target. 

Q: How do I improve my forearm pass in volleyball?

A: Here are some tips to improve your forearm pass:

1. Keep your elbows straight to create a flat platform.

2. Track the ball from the server's hands to anticipate its path.

3. Keep your arms together when contacting the ball.

4. Keep both feet on the ground for better stability.

5. Quickly position yourself behind the ball with proper footwork.

Q: How important is forearm pass in volleyball?

A: The forearm pass is an essential skill in volleyball as it is often the first contact when receiving the opponent's serve.

A good forearm pass sets up the team's offensive play, allowing for better control and accuracy in setting up attacks. It is crucial for maintaining ball control and initiating successful plays.

Q: What equipment can help improve forearm passing?

A: Volleyball forearm passing sleeves are popular accessories used by players to protect their wrists, forearms, and elbows during passing and digging.

Brands like Mizuno and Nike offer volleyball passing sleeves (ad) that can enhance comfort and support while practicing or playing.

Q: Can I practice forearm passing on my own?

A: Yes, you can practice forearm passing on your own. You can perform passing drills against a wall, focusing on technique and accuracy.

Another option is to recruit a partner to practice passing back and forth, simulating game-like situations. Consistent practice and repetition will help improve your forearm passing skills.

Here are some volleyball drills for youth that you can do at home or in practice with a friend or teammate you are working out with at home or on their own or even during an open gym at your school.

Watch as Kenny and Jaylen work on controlling the ball to a consistent spot on the wall and then control the ball to themselves, then finally they control the ball to each other...repeatedly. 

Q: Are there any specific drills I can do to improve my forearm passing?

A: Yes, here are a few drills you can try:

1. Wall Passing Drill:

Stand facing a wall and practice passing the ball against it. This helps improve technique and control.

2. Triangle Drill:

Set up three cones in a triangle shape and practice moving quickly between them while passing a ball. This improves footwork and positioning.

3. Pass and Move:

Set up a designated area and practice passing the ball with a partner while moving around. This simulates game-like movement and improves passing accuracy under different conditions.

My tips on How to do wall passing drills...

Volleyball wall passing and wall setting drills can be done daily at home with a goal of at least 250 - 500 reps of various drills to keep your

• passing or setting technique, 
• angled platform work, 
• ball contacting skills and 
• control of the ball.....extremely sharp!

Pick a brick, a specific spot on the wall or mark a big X in chalk on a wall or use a basketball net or backboard ...no matter what you decide to use as your target... anybody walking by.... should be able to see exactly where the spot is that you are aiming for EVERY...single....time .⁠

Do 3 to 5 sets of 100... five feet from the wall ....then side step two feet and repeat. Then step back and repeat.⁠

Complete 300 to 500 passing repetitions

Q: What should I do if I struggle with forearm passing accuracy?

A: To improve your forearm passing accuracy, focus on the following:

1. Proper hand contact:

Make sure to contact the ball with the forearms, slightly above the wrists, creating a solid platform.

2. Eye on the ball:

Keep your eyes on the ball as you pass it, maintaining visual contact throughout the entire process.

3. Controlled body position:

Maintain a balanced and athletic stance with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and weight forward.

Q: How can I generate more power in my forearm pass?

A: To generate more power in your forearm pass, consider the following techniques:

1. Use your legs:

Engage the muscles in your legs and core to generate power from the ground up. Bend your knees and use a slight upward thrust to add strength to your pass.

2. Follow-through:

After making contact with the ball, continue your arm extension forward and slightly upward. This follow-through motion adds power and accuracy to your pass.

3. Timing and anticipation:

Anticipate the ball's trajectory and aim to meet it at the highest point of its arc for maximum power.

Q: What should I do if the ball is coming at me too fast for a forearm pass?

A: If the ball is coming at you too fast for a forearm pass, you can use an alternative technique called the overhead pass or "volley." In this method, you use your fingertips to guide the ball, creating a controlled trajectory. However, mastering forearm passing should still be a priority, as it is the most effective and commonly used pass in volleyball.

If the ball is coming at you too fast for a forearm pass, you can use an alternative technique called the overhead pass or "volley." In this method, you use your fingertips to guide the ball, creating a controlled trajectory.

Q: How can I develop good forearm pass footwork?

A: To develop good footwork for forearm passing, try the following:

1. Quick first step:

React quickly as soon as you see the server make contact with the ball. Take a small, explosive step towards the anticipated ball trajectory.

2. Shuffle and adjust:

Maintain proper balance and shuffle your feet to adjust your position as needed. This allows you to align yourself behind the ball and maintain stability.

3. Practice positioning drills:

Set up cones or markers on the court to simulate different serve placements. Practice moving quickly and efficiently to each marker, assuming the correct forearm pass position behind it.

If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.

Struggling with passing consistency?

I help talented passers tired of getting pulled from games because of inconsistent serve receive skills  BUILD passing confidence without expensive private lessons using the same 3-step system that's helped dozens of my athletes get recruited.

Download my eBook for $17.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.

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Congratulations to my seven Boys-18s Vegas Volley club players who played in two state championship finals yesterday, the 3A and 5A State champinship finals at Sunrise Mountain High School.

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!

A-1 Vegas Volley VBC

    In It To Win It      Tournament   

May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament

Gold Medalists

18s Premier Division

Vegas Volleyball's Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Moms with Peace Love Volleyball Shirts

In the city that never sleeps, my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are your 24/7 support system.

More than just clothing, my shirts are a tribute to the tireless spirit of Vegas volleyball moms.

With motivational messages and vibrant designs, they mirror the dynamic energy of our city while celebrating your constant presence in your player's volleyball adventure.

In a town that's always on, you're the ever-present force driving your player's success.

Ready to energize your volleyball mom journey?

Subscribe to my 'Producing Powerful Passionate Peaceful Players' email list above on ImproveYourVolley.com.

You'll receive energy-boosting tips, exclusive insights from me,        Coach April Chapple on maintaining momentum in volleyball.

Let's power up the Vegas volleyball scene together!

Dear Vegas Volleyball Mom, I know that balancing Vegas life with volleyball commitments can feel like walking a tightrope, but my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are here to support you every step of the way.

As the Vegas volleyball scene grows, so does the pressure on players and moms alike. My Peace Love Volleyball shirts are here to remind you of your inner peace amidst the chaos.

In a city known for its high energy, finding moments of calm can be challenging, especially when juggling the demands of volleyball life.

My volleyball mom shirts aren't just about looking good - they're about feeling good too.

With messages that promote mindfulness and positivity, they serve as a wearable reminder to breathe, center yourself, and approach each volleyball challenge with a peaceful mindset.

In the fast-paced world of Vegas volleyball, these moments of zen can make all the difference.

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