Dan Nave

Professor Stout/Hedstrom

ESS 205

Skills Analysis

Forearm Pass:The forearm pass is one of the most important and most often used skills in volleyball. It is used when a player is passing the ball from a serve, when the ball is below the waist, or when the ball is spiked from the other team. The forearm pass is also known as a dig or bump.

  • Feet are shoulder width apart, and on the balls of your feet.
  • Knees bent in a comfortable position with a slight lean forward as heels are off the ground.
  • Hands should be clasped together with the thumbs together and facing downward. There are a couple of ways to hold the hands. Both hands could be clenched into a fist and put together. One hand could be clenched and put into the palm of the other hand.
  • The ball should hit anywhere from 2-6 inches above the wrist and then be sure that the legs are used when passing the ball.
  • The direction of the ball depends on the angle of the forearms. Be sure to keep eyes on the ball.

Overhead Pass:The overhead pass is the easiest way to pass to a teammate. It is also used in the technique of setting the ball. It is simple and is the most accurate way to pass, but if not careful it is easy to have a ball handling violation using this pass.

  • Knees shoulder width apart, and on the balls of you feet.
  • Knees bent slightly in a comfortable position.
  • Get under the ball so it is in line with the forehead.
  • Have arms up and have hands open with the thumbs and index fingers spread apart. Have the thumbs spaced about 3 inches away from each other.
  • When the ball is contacted use legs and the fingers to lift the ball, and finally extend the arms in the direction of the target.

Serve:The serve is the first skill that is used before the ball is in play. The serve is what starts the each point of the game. It is a very important skill because it is a team’s first chance to put the other team at a disadvantage.

  • Stride with the opposite foot of the arm that is serving the ball. While striding toss the ball into the air about 1-2 feet, slightly in front of the serving shoulder.
  • The striking of the ball is exactly like the motion of throwing a ball. Bring the arm back and ready to contact the ball when it is slightly above head level.
  • Keep hand flat and wrist tense as the ball is contacted with the heel of the hand.
  • Be sure to follow through with the hand in the direction of the intended target.

Attack:The attack is the hardest contact of the ball and is used to put the other team at a disadvantage. It is used so that the other team cannot return the ball and usually the attackers are the tallest players on the team. It is the most aggressive skill used in volleyball.

  • Align the body so the ball will fall right above the hitting arm.
  • Take a step and jump off of both feet to prepare for the hit of the ball.
  • When the ball is slightly above the head bring arm back as in the serve and have the hand open and wrist tense to prepare for contact. Bring arm forward and contact the ball on the top quarter of the ball.
  • Hit the ball downward and upon contact snap the wrist forward to give the ball tip spin.

Block:The block is a huge defensive play to stop the attacks from the other team. It is used to try to decrease the area an attacker has to spike the ball onto the opponent’s it is a simple skill that has either positive or negative outcomes.

  • Have the legs shoulder width apart and the knees bent comfortably.
  • Time when the attack is coming to jump up into the air with both hands raised parallel each other.
  • Have hands open and have the outside hand facing inward slightly.
  • When hands are above the net slightly push them over to the other side of the net, but be careful not to touch the net.
  • Bend body slightly to gain balance and power.
  • When landing be sure to bend the knees again to land safely and to have balance.

Tip:The tip is an essential skill to hit the ball to unexpected places at unexpected times. It is a soft hit that is used when the opponents think there will be an attack hit.

  • Align the body so the ball will fall above the arm of the striking hand.
  • The tip can be done by standing on the ground or jumping like in an attack. If you jump it will throw the other team off guard because they will most likely expect an attack.
  • Take a step and jump with both feet and make contact with the ball as it is slightly above the head.
  • Use fingers tips to push the ball into the direction you want the ball to go.