The Bump Set Volleyball Skill Why Bump Set When You Can Overhand Set?

Beach players use their bump set volleyball skills more than hand setting so they can have more control of the ball when playing outside in windy conditions

Using the bump set volleyball skill instead of hand setting to get the ball to your partner to hit it is a good option on an uneven surface and windy weather. (Ralph Aversen)

Are you allowed to hand set in beach volleyball?

Yes, you can overhand set the ball on the beach just like you do in the indoor game.

The question is "Should you hand set in volleyball or should you bump set the ball to your partner?"

The question is "Should you hand set in volleyball or should you use your bump set volleyball skills to get the ball to your partner?" Beach players bump set in volleyball to their hitters more than overhand set so they can have more control of the ball when playing outside in windy conditions . (Ralph Aversen)

The question is "Should you hand set in volleyball or should you bump set the ball to your partner?"

I discuss a series of beach setting tips for hand setting and for training your bump set volleyball skills because both of these setting techniques are difficult to master on the beach. 

But overhand setting is definitely the hardest. 

Players often use their bump set volleyball skills as an alternative to hand setting the ball on the beach for several reasons.

Geena Urango Bump Set: When girls first start playing beach volleyball, inevitably they get whistled for double hits and lifts when they try hand setting the ball. (Ralph Aversen)

Your first challenge when learning this skill is to combine

• the bump set volleyball training you received during your indoor practice

with

• trying to learn how to run in the sand.

When girls first start playing beach volleyball, inevitably they get whistled for double hits and lifts when they try setting the ball with their hands.

Read: Beach Volleyball Setting Rules Are Stricter Than Indoor Rules

While training with pro beach volleyball women Nina Matthies and Elaine Roque, I had to learn that until I got my "sand legs" (which happens when your leg muscles are strengthened by consistent exercising in the sand) if I set the volleyball on the run while trying to use my hands, I was increasing my chances of being called for a throw or a lift because I hadn't developed yet,

• the speed or
• the strength

needed to have my body completely positioned underneath the ball to deliver a clean overhand volleyball set.

For girls and female volleyball players transitioning from the indoor game to the beach  it takes some time to develop your "sand legs".

2021 Tokyo Olympic beach volleyball hopeful Lauren Fendrick uses her bump set volleyball skills to deliver the ball to her partner. (Ralph Aversen)

This was one of the beach volleyball tips that took me a little while to get used to but I learned it thankfully at the beginning of my career.

While I was consistently training in the sand which would help me develop my leg strength, I still needed to be able to perform beach volleyball skills in a way that would allow me to gain maximum control of the ball without making unforced errors.

This should be your goal too!

Be sure to check out more beach volleyball articles below.

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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