Dear Volleyball Mom, Do You Know What Sets My Private Volleyball Training Apart From Anyone In Vegas? I invite You to read what my private volleyball training mission says before considering hiring me as a private volleyball coach because I'm not available for everyone.

Volleyball Passing Challenges: From Nervous Wreck to Confident Passer

Struggling with volleyball passing challenges? Learn how to handle tough serves, overcome anxiety, and how to develop unshakeable confidence on the court.

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Dear Volleyball Mom, Did you know your player can Upgrade their volleyball skills with an expert college volleyball prep coach Las Vegas based April Chapple (that's me!) creator of the Breakfast Club for College Players.

If you've ever felt your heart race as a server steps behind the line, you're not alone.

Volleyball passing challenges affect players at every level, from beginners to Division 1 athletes.

The good news?

Every single challenge you face has been conquered by someone before you—and today, I'll show you exactly how.

Here's a truth every volleyball player needs to hear:

The best passers in the world aren't the ones who never struggle—they're the ones who've learned to overcome their challenges faster than everyone else.

In fact, Olympic-level passers report experiencing the same pre-serve anxiety and technical difficulties as recreational players.

The only difference is their approach to solving these problems.

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Through my own personal journey from a nervous high school player who started playing the game late as a sophomore in high school to a confident six-rotation national team and professional athlete, I've faced every volleyball passing challenge imaginable.

I know firsthand how mastering this skill can transform your game. Back in high school, I used to get so nervous before every serve, my knees would practically shake!

I was nervous because I knew I wanted to be a six-rotation player who played could pass and play defense in the backrow and I felt that every ball served to me I had to pass perfectly.

I would put so much stress on myself because I had such high expectations for myself since I had set three huge goals for myself.

But with practice and the right mindset, I turned passing into one of my strengths.

And I'm here to help you do the same.

Creating a Flat Platform for Contact: Keep hands and wrists pressed together with the fist of one hand inside the other hand while thumbs of both hands point down to the ground.

Today, I'm sharing the specific strategies that helped me transform each weakness into a strength.

Whether you're battling pre-serve jitters, struggling to read servers, or bouncing back from errors, my guide will give you the tools to overcome them all.

Come with me as I dive deep into one of the most crucial skills in volleyball: serve receive which some is also known as "passing the ball."

Dear Volleyball Mom Do You Know What Sets My Private Volleyball Training Apart From Anyone In Vegas? You should learn what my private volleyball training mission says before considering hiring me as a private volleyball coach because I'm not available for everyone.

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Pre-Serve Jitters:
What's on Your Mind?

Before a serve, your mind can feel like a whirlwind of thoughts.

Are you fixated on the server, the ball, or maybe even yourself?

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.

I remember staring down each server, trying to decipher their every move, and when I first started doing this it often left me feeling overwhelmed.

The key is to find your focus and stick with it.

Let me ask you this...what do *you* think about the most before a serve?

Here's a fact that might surprise you:

Studies show that 73% of passing errors occur not because of poor technique, but because of mental distractions before the serve.

Let's tackle the biggest mental challenge head-on...

Decoding the Server:
Reading the Clues

If you're like I was, constantly analyzing the server, it's time to channel that energy into something productive.

What are your biggest worries when you focus on the server?

Are you concerned about

controlling the ball
what your coach thinks or
maybe even impressing your teammates?

Let's break down those anxieties and turn them into advantages.

Watch as my client college middle blocker Ariana Robinson in a passer vs server drill working on freezing her platform after making contact with the ball.

One of the biggest questions I used to ask myself was, "Who are they going to serve to?"

Knowing or figuring out who the likely target is can give you a serious edge.

Talk to your teammates
share your observations, and
anticipate the server's strategy together.

Research proves that players who actively read servers improve their passing accuracy by up to 40%.

Now that you know what to look for, let's focus on the next critical challenge...

Tracking the Serve:
Types and Adjustments

When the whistle blows, where does your focus go?

The server's eyes?
Their arm swing?
Or maybe you're glued to the ball?

Finding the right cue is like finding the key to unlock a perfect pass.

Now, let's talk about different types of serves.

From short serves that barely creep over the net to those deep floaters that seem to hang in the air forever, each serve presents a unique challenge.

And those seam shots?

Mannn, I used to hate those!

But once you learn to read the server's body language and anticipate the trajectory of the ball, you'll be ready to adjust your position and make the play.

When a serve beats you – and it happens to all of us – don't get discouraged.

Use it as a learning opportunity.

Were you too far back?
Did you need to lower your hips?
Every ace is a chance to make a small tweak and improve your next pass.

Every volleyball coach will tell you this truth:

The difference between good and great passers isn't athleticism—it's the ability to adapt to different serves.

Speaking of adaptation, let's address another universal challenge...

The Mental Game:
Confidence and Communication

Watch as Brooklyn reads my serving body language and moves her feet quickly based on where she "reads" where the ball will land once its served and takes big quick moving steps to beat the ball to the spot its going to land.

Confidence is key, my friends.

I remember feeling so nervous before big games, but I learned that the more I practiced, the more confident I became.

So, how do you feel when you're facing a tough server?

Nervous?
Excited?

Embrace those emotions and use them to fuel your performance.

Oh and one more thing....don't underestimate the power of communication!

Calling out where you think the serve direction is going can make a huge difference for your team.

I know it can be scary to speak up, especially if you're worried about being wrong.

But trust me, even a small call-out can give your teammates the heads-up they need to make the play.

Say something and dont worry about judging whether you were right or wrong...the fact that you make a call is the priority.

Can you pass two balls at a time? This is a passing drill which forces you to pass the ball right to the target because if you overpass the ball your passing partner will probably have to stop the drill.

After that, the passer can decide whether they will follow your advice or not but at least it'll be apparent to everyone on the court that you're trying to help your teammates out.

Here's an undeniable reality: Teams that communicate during serve receive have 60% fewer aces scored against them.

But what happens when things go wrong? That brings us to our next challenge...

Bouncing Back:
Handling Errors

We all make mistakes.

I've had my fair share of shanked passes and missed serves. But the important thing is how you react.

Do you obsess on the error, or do you focus on the next play?

Use every mistake as a chance to learn and grow and most importantly, Do Not Show On Your Face That You're Upset about the last passing mistake that you made

That's the person that I tell my players to serve, the one that's showing the world that they cant get over the last passing mistake they just made.

For me that means their mind is still on what happened in the past instead of focusing on what's about to happen in the present.

Targeted Drills:
Sharpening Your Skills

Let's put all this knowledge into practice!

Here are a few drills that will help you sharpen your serve receive skills:

Volleyball Passing Challenges
Shadow Passing:

No ball needed!

Visualize different serves and practice your movements.

This is a great way to build muscle memory and improve your reaction time.

Volleyball Passing Challenges
Partner Serve Practices

Grab a friend and work on receiving serves at different speeds and angles.

Ready to Fast-Track Your Passing Transformation?

While mastering these volleyball passing challenges takes time and dedication, you don't have to figure it out alone.

Imagine having a coach who's been exactly where you are—someone who understands every frustration, every mental block, and every technical struggle you're facing.

Your passing transformation doesn't happen overnight, but it accelerates dramatically with the right guidance and consistent application of proven techniques.

When you train with someone who's helped hundreds of players overcome these exact challenges, you skip the trial and error and go straight to what works.

Picture this...

Starting with your biggest challenge, mastering the solution with personalized feedback, then systematically conquering each obstacle until passing becomes your superpower.

Before you know it, you'll be the player your teammates look to when the game is on the line—the one they trust to handle the toughest serves.

Click here to discover how personalized training with me can transform your passing game and make you the player you've always wanted to be.

Conclusion:

Every volleyball passing challenge you face is an opportunity in disguise.

The pre-serve jitters that make your knees shake?

They're teaching you focus.

The serves that beat you?

They're showing you where to improve.

The mental battles?

They're building your resilience.

Remember this: I started exactly where you are now—nervous, inconsistent, and frustrated with my passing.

The strategies in this guide aren't just theory; they're battle-tested solutions that have helped hundreds of players overcome the exact same challenges you're facing.

Your passing transformation doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen with consistent application of these techniques.

Start with one challenge, master the solution, then move to the next.

Before you know it, you'll be the player your teammates look to when the game is on the line.

The court is waiting.

Which challenge will you conquer first?

Mastering the steps to passing a volleyball is a journey, not a destination.

By following the systematic approach outlined in this guide—from proper stance to mental preparation—you're building a foundation that will serve you throughout your volleyball career.

Remember, every professional player started exactly where you are now.

The difference?

They committed to practicing these steps until they became second nature. Your transformation starts with your very next pass.

Are you ready to become the player you've always wanted to be?

From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Honored At UTK Champions Weekend

Lady Vol volleyball legend and record holder Coach April Chapple a University of Tennessee, Knoxville Hall of Fame Inductee, 3-time All American, 3-time SEC Champion, SEC Tournament MVP, 2-time All SEC Team is celebrated with her 1984 SEC champion teammates at Neyland Stadium during Champions Weekend on November 1-2, 2024.

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Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee, Coach April Chapple is

the first First Round Draft Pick for the first American pro indoor women's league
named to the first First Team All-Pro team for Major League Volleyball in USA volleyball history
former USA National team member
one of the few American women players named as an Italian Pro League D-I Championship Finalist, Italian Cup Finalist and Cup of Cups Tournament Finalist

April Chapple The first First round Draft Pick For Major League Volleyball the first American Women's Pro League Honored At Athlete Unlimited Pro Volleyball Match

Coach April's 2025 Private and Semi private Volleyball Training

Pre-Registration now open for 2025 Private and Semiprivate Training Sessions with Coach April . Get prepared for club tryouts or train with me during club season!

Email now for information on semiprivate or private indoor skills, individual or small group training volleyball classes and my Breakfast Club for College Players training for 2025.

Invest in your improvement while preepping for your next level and college goals while working hard and training smart.

Email me right now to register or for more information.

info@improveyourvolley.com

Serving slang is not just about individual techniques; it also relates to overall game strategy. A coach might instruct a player to serve a "short serve" or a "deep serve" to target specific areas of the opponent's court or exploit weaknesses in their serve receive formation.

Ari, my private training client and I are working specifically on serving on jump float cross court serves ...short to Zone 2

There's so much we work on to get to this point where she can contact the ball with

the same toss height and same toss location
the same armswing speed
the same timing for when her serving hand contacts the ball
the middle of the hand contacting the middle of the ball every single time
getting use to watching her serving hand contact the ball at the highest point of her jump ...before she starts to land
and finally contacting the ball in the precise spot on the ball so it goes where the coach wants the player to put it so in this case ..a short serve in the farthest short right corner on the court also called Zone 2.

kamiminerpac12setteroftheyearformercoachaprilchappleprivateclient3years

Tommi Stockham All Big West Conference sophomore former Coach April Chapple private client 3 years

katepriorallwestcoastconferencebyufreshmanformercoachaprilchappleprivateclient3years

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Dear Vegas Parent

Read my open letter to Las Vegas Jr high/high school volleyball parents about my predictions on individual and small group volleyball training trends for 2019/2021

Tennessee Athletics Honors April Chapple at Champions Weekend for Legendary Volleyball Achievements

From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?

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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

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Making A-1 Vegas Volleyball history as the very first TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS! In the In It To Win It Tournament, May 2-4, 2025 Tournament, A-1 Vegas Volleyball Club Gold Medalists, 18s Premier Division