The Free Ball Volleyball Definition: What's a Free Ball in Volleyball?

The free ball volleyball definition explains how hitters and attackers who contact the ball to send it over the net without jumping for a spike approach.

The "free ball" and "down ball" are two volleyball attacking terms that describe how a player can attack a ball over the net without jumping. (Mark Shaiken photo)

The free ball volleyball definition describes how you can attack a ball over the net without jumping or using a spike approach in an attempt to score a point for your team.

When you use the free ball as a hitter you can actually attack the ball for a point while keeping your feet on the ground and not jumping to use your spike approach to attack the ball. 

Let me explain...

A down ball is an attack made by a player who hits the ball keeping both of their feet on the floor using the traditional armswing to get a hard driven ball into the opposing team's court.

The Free Ball Volleyball Definition: What's a Free Ball in Volleyball? A free ball is a ball that Team A has forearm passed into Team B's court. (Nooccar photo)

The Free Ball Volleyball Definition: What's a Free Ball in Volleyball?

A free ball is a ball that Team A has forearm passed into Team B's court.

An easy free ball is some times considered a "gift" since the team didn't attack with a hard driven ball, a tip or a deceptive off speed shot aimed for an open space on the opposing team's court.

The Free Ball Volleyball Definition: What's a Free Ball in Volleyball? A free ball is a ball that Team A has forearm passed into Team B's court. (Ralph Arvesen)

When Team A gives Team B a free ball it's usually because there's a miscommunication between players, whether its between passers and hitters or more likely between setters and hitters.

When Team B receives a free ball they should do everything in their power to make a perfect pass in order to run a fast attack or get the ball to their go-to player who will definitely score a point since they didn't have to work hard to get an easy ball from Team A.

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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. 

Where do you need to go now? Here are three options: 

1. Learn more about Volleyball Words by checking the links in Related Links section.
2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page  (Sitemap)
3. Or visit the pages in the How To Play Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page.

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