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Volleyball Passing Tips

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Volleyball Passing

Passing is easily the most integral part of the game of volleyball. Having 6’10 hitters capable of spiking the ball within the 10 foot line means nothing if you can’t pass well enough to run your offense. The two different ways a player can pass the volleyball are by utilizing a bump pass or an overhead pass. The method in which a player uses to pass depends on both preference, as well as volleyball location. Here are some volleyball passing tips to get you ready for the season!

Bump Passing

A volleyball passing technique in which the player strikes the volleyball with their flattened forearms. Often times a player will use this type of pass when the ball is at or below their waist.

Overhead Passing

A volleyball passing technique in which the player controls the volleyball with their fingertips while their face is below the ball and elbows are flared out to the sides. This type of pass is very similar to setting the volleyball. Players use the overhead passing technique when dealing with a ball that is above their waist as it is easy to run forward and attack the pass rather than stepping back and attempting to use the bump pass method. In many cases it is the preferred way to pass the volleyball because of the added control.

Volleyball Passing: How to Start

Ready Position

One of the most basic skills in volleyball passing is the ready position (sometimes called the defensive position). Start by standing in an athletic position with your feet shoulder width apart. Keep your knees bent and weight forward on the balls of your feet so you can be ready to move. Often times players make the mistake of being on their heels which causes slow movement and lost points!

Face the server on serve receive

Orient yourself towards the server, not the target! This is a very common mistake among beginners and is often taught incorrectly by novice coaches. Always face the server and use the angles created by your arms to pass to the target.

Center the volleyball

Once the opposing team makes contact, track the ball and watch for it’s spin to determine its flight path. When you have an idea of where the ball is going, do you best to get directly behind the ball so it is in the center of your body.

Volleyball Passing: The Bump Pass

Volleyball Passing Form (Volleyball Platform)

  • Place one palm on top of the other so that your fingertips overlap one another.
  • Bring your thumbs together so they are even and create a flat surface.
  • Put pressure on your fingertips so your hands do not come apart while passing.
  • Rotate your hands down and open arms so the flat part of your lower forearm makes contact with the ball.
  • Keep elbows locked throughout the entire volleyball passing process.

Volleyball Passing Steps

  • As the volleyball approaches, create an angle with your shoulders towards the target. This is done by dropping one shoulder to create the desired angle as seen in the video above.
  • Don’t swing! Create the angle and leave arms stationary with your elbows locked the entire time. Swinging your arms to push the ball is a bad habit and will result in inconsistent passing.
  • Stay Quiet! Often times players will stand while passing to add distance but this will result in overpasses. Keep your head and arms steady and allow the ball to do the work.

If you’ve never played competitive volleyball before, be ready to ice your arms after practice. Anyone will tell you that passing well is essential to winning but it can be extremely difficult to pass well if your arms are on fire! Wearing Mizuno Arm Sleeves will completely change how your arms feel after a long day of passing!

Volleyball Passing: The Overhead Pass

Volleyball Passing Form

  • Lift your hands above your head and create a triangle with your thumbs and pointer fingers
  • Create space between your hands so that a ball would fit perfectly if it were thrown to you.
  • Bend at the elbows and contact the ball about 6 inches from your face.

Volleyball Passing Steps

  • Keep your shoulders forward and attack the ball. If you lean back you will end up having the ball go behind you.
  • Do you best to make contact with your fingertips and thumbs. Using your palms is a common mistake among beginners and will result in carries and poor volleyball passes.
  • Sometimes you will need to pass the volleyball too far to accomplish with the strength of your arms alone. Generate power with your legs and push through the pass while extending your arms like superman.
  • Don’t try to “set” a difficult serve or spike. By making quick contact you avoid carries and cut down on past balls. It is important to remember that you will not be called for a double hit on the first contact so having the pass come out clean is not necessary!

Remember that passing is one of the volleyball basics and is not limited to any of the volleyball positions! Whether you are a 6’10” middle or a 4’9″ libero, you will be a volleyball passer at one point or another. Do yourself a favor and learn as many volleyball passing drills as possible so you can take your game to the next level!