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5 Volleyball Passing Mistakes Keeping You Sidelined

Tired of practicing more but playing less? Stop watching others get their shot and lets fix the volleyball passing mistakes sabotaging your serve receive skills

Are You Making These Fatal Volleyball Passing Mistakes? You practice harder than anyone on your team. You show up early, stay late, and give maximum effort in every drill. Yet you're still watching games from the bench while players with less dedication earn starting positions.

Are You Tired of Practicing More
But Playing Less?

If your passes are flying over the net, sailing out of bounds, or consistently missing your setter, you're not alone. After 15+ years of coaching top players in Las Vegas, I've identified the "5 most common volleyball passing mistakes" that sabotage dedicated players. The good news? These errors are completely fixable when you know the root causes and systematic solutions.

You work harder than anyone on your team.
You show up early, stay late, and give maximum effort in every drill.

But when game time comes?

You're watching from the bench while players with less dedication earn starting positions.

Here's the brutal truth:

Those "small" volleyball passing mistakes coaches keep mentioning?

They're costing you everything.

Every shanked pass that flies over the net, every serve receive that sails out of bounds, every weak pass that doesn't reach your setter—these aren't random errors.

I like to call these "systematic technical breakdowns" that can be fixed when you know what to look for.

I tell me clients and players to "stop guessing."

Let's start fixing what actually matters.

The Real Problem: You're Treating Symptoms, Not Causes

Most volleyball players try to fix passing mistakes by practicing more.

But if you keep making the same errors, it's not about effort—it's about "identifying the root causes" that create those mistakes in the first place.

After 40+ years in volleyball (USA National Team, University of Tennessee Hall of Fame, Tennessee's #2 career aces record, 3-time All American, former international pro volleyball player), I've seen this pattern destroy countless talented players:

Does this sound familiar?

You practice the same drills hoping for different results
You get frustrated when mistakes reappear in games
You watch coaches lose confidence in your serve receive
You miss opportunities for varsity spots and college recruitment

Guess what? This cycle ends now.

USA National Team players outside hitter April Chapple with 4-time Olympian, Silver and Bronze medalist middle blocker Paula Weishoff and Italian National Team member opposite hitter Cristina Boselli, during the A-1 Division I championship finals (finale dello scudetto) playing for Braglia Cucina Reggio Emilia against 5-time champion Teodora Ravenna. To minimize volleyball passing mistakes watch how ALL of us are in pretty much the same serve receive ready position with right foot slightly forward, shoulders over knees and knees slightly bent ready to move in any direction to get our feet to the served ball.

1989-1990: Silver medalists-I'm one of the few American women to play in the finals of the D-I FIPAV Italian championship finals with American Paula Weishoff Italian FIPAV 2nd place medal Reggio Emilia Braglia Cucine.

Meet the Coach Who Knows Exactly What You're Going Through

Hi, I'm April Chapple—and I've been where you are.

My Elite Playing Background

On November 1-2 2024 I was invited along with my teammates on my 1984 SEC championship team to be honored and celebrated for the 40th anniversary of our victory during the University of Tennesee's Champion's Weekend. Fun fact: I am the only six rotation starting player in the history of Univ of Tennessee Knoxville women's volleyball program to win three SEC championships in four years. The record stills stands and no one has done it since.

I am a

Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee
3-time All-American
America's first ever First Round Draft Pick for an American pro indoor league
First Team All-Pro for Major League Volleyball
former USA National team member
one of the few American women to play in the finals of the D-I FIPAV Italian championship finals with American Paula Weishoff

April Chapple and the UTK 1984 SEC Lady Vol volleyball team introduced and honored in front of a soldout crowd on the field in Neyland Stadium during halftime at the Kentucky vs Tennessee football game Nov 1-2 2024.

This is the old University of Tennessee Knoxville All American wall, the Hall of Fame wall, and one of the three SEC Championship team pictures on 1981, 1982 and 1984. Former Coronado client setter Cassie van Oyen Smits on a visit to UTK is pictured in the Joan Cronan Volleyball Facility in front of my pictures on each wall.

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.

Of the 4 total SEC Tournament Championship titles that have been won in Lady Vol program history I've been on three of those teams ..in 1981, 1982 and 1984. The last one was in 2004 twenty years ago.

meand198182and84secchampions5. Of the 4 total SEC Tournament Championship titles that have been won in Lady Vol program history I've been on three of those teams ..in 1981, 1982 and 1984. The last one was in 2004 twenty years ago.

April me pointing to SEC tournament championship banner. Of the 4 total SEC Tournament Championship titles that have been won in Lady Vol program history I've been on three of those teams ..in 1981, 1982 and 1984. The last one was in 2004 twenty years ago.

Of the 4 total SEC Tournament Championship titles that have been won in Lady Vol program history I've been on three of those teams ..in 1981, 1982 and 1984. The last one was in 2004 twenty years ago.

Current Mission in Las Vegas

Unlike volleyball powerhouse states like California or Utah where generational players who played volleyball in college pass down knowledge to their children and grandchildren, Las Vegas lacks that volleyball heritage.

Very very young California players are taught how to control the ball and to reduce volleyball passing mistakes because as a family tradition and is taught in many families to baby players who have just learned to walk.

I moved here and started coaching Vegas players specifically to "bridge that gap"—bringing elite-level systematic training to players who don't have access to generational volleyball wisdom.

Proven Results

-15+ years coaching now at Squad VBC, Vegas Volley, and (3) three years at Tstreet Vegas with

-over 25 years of private training high profile D-I and D-II Vegas players like

Gatorade Player of the Year (Silverado High School) Sydney Berenyi, Click here to rea mor about Sydney and I training together.
(3) three-time state champion at Bishop Gorman as well as two-time Gatorade Player of the Year - Tommi Stockham,
(3) three-time state champions at Boulder City High School, BYU opposite hitter starter, Kate Prior
(3) three-time state champions at Boulder City High School, BYU opposite hitter starter, Sierra Orton
(4) four year Stanford starting setter, USA National team member, Sports Imports spokesperson, Kami Miner daughter of Baby Jordan a Rising Star LA Times article, look in my side bar to read the ESPN article. Click to read more about Kami Miner.

Volleyball Passing Mistakes: Kami's family found me when Kami was 12 years old and we started training in private lessons, in my boot Camp classes and in my Breakfast Club advanced classes. That's where for years my priority was to work on ball control, tough serving, and reducing volleyball passing mistakes were top priorities. I introduced Kami and Sydney to the USA High Performance program. KamiMinerHPC.jpg

Kami's family hired me when Kami was 12 years old and we started training in private lessons, in my boot Camp classes and in my Breakfast Club advanced classes. That's where for years my priority was to work on ball control, tough serving, setting reps and precision and reducing volleyball passing mistakes were top priorities. I introduced Kami and Sydney to the USA High Performance program and I told Kami and her parents that she was going to

- Seven (7) of the Vegas Volley 18s boys club players that I coached were on three different high school varsity teams that reached two different divisions (5A and 3A divisions) of the 2024 Nevada state boys championship finals.

- Dozens of college scholarships earned by athletes using these methods

- Specialized in transforming bench players into starting performers

DOWNLOAD

YOUR

VOLLEYBALL PASSING CORRECTION

CHECKLIST

Download Your Checklist!

✓ Fix errors that keep you on the bench
✓ Practice efficiently with targeted solutions
✓ Track progress with professional checkpoints
✓ Access instantly—print or keep on device
✓ One-page format for quick reference

The 5 Fatal Volleyball Passing Mistakes (And Exactly How to Fix Them)

❌ Mistake #1:
Passes Flying Over the Net

Why it happens:

Platform too close to your body forces arm swing

The real cause:

Poor platform positioning creates mechanical breakdown

The fix:

Keep platform one ball's distance from your body

Quick check:

Can you fit a volleyball under your armpits?

When you keep your platform too close to your body you are forced to swing your arms when you contact the ball.

When using correct passing technique you want to avoid swinging your arms when you pass because you are in less control of the ball and you increase the probability of the ball going right back over the net or staying close to you instead of being directed to the setter who's waiting at the net.

❌ Mistake #2:
Passes Sailing Out of Bounds

Why it happens:

Swinging arms or bending elbows during contact

The real cause:

Lack of platform stability and control

The fix:

Freeze platform on contact, keep elbows straight

Quick check:

Thumbs pointing down throughout contact?

Keep Straight Platform Arms and Avoid Bending Elbows

When you form your platform with your forearms and thumbs pressed together side by side and pointed to the ground this keeps your elbows straight.

When passing you always want to keep your elbows straight and not bend them when you're contacting the ball.

Having trouble with passes that go straight up in the air instead of inside the ten foot line or with balls that go back over the net?

Here's how proper platform positioning solves this common problem...

❌ Mistake #3:
Inconsistent Pass Direction

Why it happens:

Shoulders not squared to net before contact

The real cause:

Poor body positioning and late adjustments

The fix:

Face net, angle inside shoulder to target early

Quick check:

Shoulders parallel to net at contact?

❌ Mistake #4:
Getting Aced on "Easy" Serves

Why it happens:

Taking eyes off ball or arriving late

The real cause:

Poor visual tracking and timing

The fix:

Track ball from server's hands to your platform

Quick check:

Watching the ball or server's face?

As a passer you should work on

reading the server's body language,
arm swing, then
tracking the path of the ball

and getting enough information from what all these things are showing you so that once the ball is served you visually follow the path of the ball when its travelling to the net and then move to where you see the ball is going to land once it gets to your side ...and move fast enough to that spot BEFORE the ball gets there.

That's what we call beating the ball to the spot....

❌ Mistake #5:
Weak Passes That Don't Reach Setter

Why it happens:

Trying to swing arms for power

The real cause:

Not using legs for power generation

The fix:

Shift weight from back foot to front foot

Quick check:

Platform staying below shoulder level?

Why This Systematic Approach Changes Everything?

Traditional volleyball passing practices often fail because if not done correctly:
- It treats symptoms, not root causes
- It can reinforce incorrect muscle memory
- It can lead to wasted precious practice time
- It can build frustration instead of confidence

My systematic error-correction approach works because:

- Identifies specific technical breakdowns (no guessing)

- Addresses root causes for permanent fixes

Uses targeted drills that eliminate specific errors

Tracks measurable progress so you know it's working

Real Players, Real Results

Coach April's systematic approach eliminated the passing errors that kept me on JV.

Now I'm starting varsity and being recruited by colleges."*
**— Sarah M., Las Vegas High School

Click For More Testimonials

The numbers don't lie:

- 7 players reached state finals in 2024

- Dozens of college scholarships earned

-Collegiate players earn individual honors and team season awards

- 40+ years of proven techniques

- Consistent player transformations from bench to starter

Get My Volleyball Passing Error Correction Checklist!

Stop wondering what you're missing.

Start fixing what matters.

What You Get:

✅ Technical Error Identification System

-Diagnose exactly why passes go over net and out of bounds—no confusion, no guesswork

✅ Root Cause Analysis & Systematic Fixes

-Get proven solutions that address underlying problems, not just symptoms

✅ Targeted Practice Drills

-Spend 15-20 minutes per session on drills designed for your specific errors

✅ Consistency Monitoring Checkpoints

-Track improvement with measurable benchmarks—see progress in 1-2 weeks

✅ Professional Correction Techniques

-Use the same methods from my USA National Team and High Performance coaching career, simplified for every level

✅ One-Page PDF Format

-Print for practice or keep on your phone—access solutions right when you need them

Your Volleyball Passing Transformation Starts in 3 Steps:

Step 1: Download Your Guide
Get instant access—no waiting, no confusion. Identify your specific errors in 5-10 minutes.

Step 2: Use the Fix-It System
Follow simple, step-by-step corrections for each problem. Practice with purpose using targeted drills.

Step 3: Track Your Wins
Use built-in checkpoints to monitor progress. Watch your passing improve week by week.

Most players see steady improvement in just 1-2 weeks.

Stop Sitting on the Bench.
Start Earning Your Spot

Vegas Volley setter Sergio passing in practice. Your time, effort, and love for volleyball shouldn't end with you watching from the sidelines. Meanwhile, players using systematic error correction are earning starting positions and college recruitment opportunities.

Your time, effort, and love for volleyball shouldn't end with you watching from the sidelines.

Every day you practice with incorrect technique, you're reinforcing the habits that keep you benched.

Meanwhile, players using systematic error correction that are helping them reduce or eliminate volleyball passing mistakes are earning starting positions and college recruitment opportunities.

The choice is yours:

- Keep hoping random practice will eventually work

- Or start using proven methods that eliminate errors systematically

Get Your Passing Error Correction Checklist - $6

Transform from problematic passer to consistent performer with the same systematic approach that's helped dozens of athletes earn the opportunity to play on their dream team in college. .

Coach April Head Coach Tstreet Las Vegas -18s
2022 College Commitments

Coach April Head Coach Tstreet Las Vegas -18s 2022 College Commitments for Seniors Libero Brooke Paige, Cal State Los Angeles

Coach April Head Coach Tstreet Las Vegas -18s 2022 College Commitments for Seniors Setter Anais Badio, MCLA

Coach April Head Coach Tstreet Las Vegas -18s 2022 College Commitments for Seniors Setter Rilee Read, Cal State Monterey Bay

Coach April Head Coach Tstreet Las Vegas -18s 2022 College Commitments for Seniors Libero/DS/Setter Mckenzie Gross, Rose Hulman College

Coach April Head Coach Tstreet Las Vegas -18s
2023 College Commitments

collegecommit2023peytonreesevirginiastate

collegecommit2023laurenandersonprovidencechristian

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DOWNLOAD

YOUR

VOLLEYBALL PASSING CORRECTION

CHECKLIST

Download Your Checklist!

You Deserve to Play

Stop wondering what you're missing.
Start fixing what matters—so you can finally earn the spot you deserve.

Your volleyball passing transformation is one systematic checklist away.

DOWNLOAD

YOUR

VOLLEYBALL PASSING CORRECTION

CHECKLIST

Download Your Checklist!

**Contact:**

info@improveyourvolley.com

**Online Resources:**

ImproveYourVolley.com

Ready to get off the bench and onto the court?

Your coaches and your team are waiting to trust you with crucial passes.

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.

Do You Follow Me on Pinterest?

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.

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

utkaprilcollegepiconneylandstadiumvideoboard

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

I have my own special QR code to my Linktree profile!

Scan to find out what you shouldn't be missing!

Click For More Info

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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