There’s a reason volleyball is one of the most popular sports in the world. It’s fun, fast-paced, and a fantastic workout. But like any sport, volleyball requires developing certain skills if you want to be successful on the court. Even if you’re just playing for recreation, having solid fundamentals makes the game way more enjoyable. In this article, we’ll go over the 7 basic volleyball skills every player needs to know. From serving to passing to attacking, we’ve got you covered with the essential techniques to start playing like a pro.
What is a Volleyball Game?
Volleyball is a fun sport where two teams of six players each try to get the ball over the net and make the other team unable to return it. The game starts with a serve, where one team hits the ball over the net to the other team. The receiving team has up to three touches to get the ball back over the net. You can bump, set or spike the ball to your teammates before sending it back over.
Once the ball goes over, the other team has their turn to return it. Rallies continue until one team fails to return the ball or hits it out of bounds. The team that lets the ball drop or hits it out loses the point. Matches are typically best two out of three games, with each game going to at least 21 points.
The basics you need to play are simple: learn how to serve, bump, set and spike.With practice, you’ll be diving and saving in no time.
History and Origin of Volleyball Game
Volleyball originated in the United States. In 1895, William G. Morgan invented the game of volleyball at the YMCA training school in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Morgan was an instructor at the YMCA and wanted to create an indoor sport for older members who found basketball too vigorous. He designed volleyball based on elements of tennis, handball, and badminton.
The original rules were written by Morgan and published in 1896. The game started gaining popularity and spread around the world. By 1900, volleyball had made its way to Cuba. Volleyball was originally called “mintonette” until a professor from Springfield College, Alfred T. Halstead, renamed it “volleyball” in 1896. The rules evolved over time to the internationally recognized rules of today. Some of the earliest rules were:
- A ball could be played off the net and players could catch and throw the ball
- The court measured 25×50 feet with a net height of 6 feet 6 inches.
- The ball could be played off the net, and players could catch and throw the ball.
Volleyball was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1964 and has since become popular in over 200 countries worldwide. The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) was founded in 1947 to oversee international competition.
7 Basic Volleyball Skills
To be a great volleyball player, you need to master some essential skills. The basics include digging, setting, spiking, blocking, serving, bumping, and hitting. Work on developing and improving these core techniques, and you’ll be dominating the court in no time.
Bumping
Bumping is one of the most important skills in volleyball. To bump effectively, stand with feet shoulder-width apart and hold your arms out in front of your body, elbows straight and hands together to form a platform. Keep your wrists rigid and use your whole forearm to contact the ball.
As the ball approaches, bring your arms back and up while bending your knees to get into a squat position. Shift your weight onto the balls of your feet. When the ball is within reach, thrust your arms up and forward to bump the ball up into the air. Push off with your legs to give the bump extra power and lift.
Follow through after contacting the ball by continuing to reach up toward the ceiling. This helps ensure you bump the ball straight up for your teammates. Bumping takes a lot of practice to master, so find a partner and spend time passing the ball back and forth. Start close together, then move farther apart as your skills improve.
With regular practice, bumping will become second nature and an integral part of your volleyball skills. Work on directing the ball to where your teammates can set or spike, and you’ll be dominating at the net in no time!
Spiking
Spiking is one of the most exciting skills in volleyball that allows you to slam the ball down into your opponent’s court. To successfully spike, follow these steps:
Run up and jump as high as you can while lifting your arm that will hit the ball. As you’re jumping up, keep your eye on the ball and extend your arm back behind your head. When you’re at the peak of your jump, bring your arm forward forcefully and hit the ball with an open hand for maximum power. Aim for the open spaces in your opponent’s court, preferably where there are no defenders.
For extra power, snap your wrist downwards at the moment of impact. Land on the balls of your feet and immediately transition to defense to be ready for the next play. With practice, you’ll soon be slamming down some impressive kills!
Blocking
Blocking is one of the most important defensive skills in volleyball. As a blocker, your goal is to stop the opponent from scoring by blocking their spike. To do this effectively, you need to time your jump perfectly and get your hands above the net.
When the opponent’s setter sets the ball to the spiker, watch the path of the ball carefully. As the spiker approaches the ball to hit it, take a few quick steps and jump with arms raised high. Try to anticipate where the spiker will hit the ball and position your hands there to deflect the spike. A well-executed block can win the point for your team by sending the ball out of bounds or setting up your teammates for an easy hit.
Even if you don’t get a direct block, a strong block attempt can disrupt the spiker and force them to hit around you, giving your teammates time to get into position to return the ball. With practice, blocking will become second nature and a key part of your defensive strategy.
Serving
To successfully serve the ball, stand behind the baseline, hold the ball in your dominant hand, toss it up slightly in front of you and hit it with the heel of your hand. Aim for the middle of the opponents’ court.
For beginners, the underhand serve is easiest to master. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hold the ball in your non-dominant hand and drop it from waist level, hitting it with an upward swing of the dominant hand. Toss the ball a little in front of you and contact it with your palm facing out. Follow through across your body.
The overhand serve requires more practice but provides more power and control. Toss the ball higher, at least a foot above your head, and hit it with your dominant hand. Step forward with your opposite foot as you make contact, and snap your wrist downwards while following through across your body. Aim for the center back or corners of the opponents’ court.
For extra power, add a running start, toss the ball further in front of you and jump up to meet it at the highest point you can reach. Time your approach and contact the ball at the peak of your jump, snapping your wrist and following through fully.
Setting
To be a successful volleyball player, you need to master the skill of setting. As the second contact, the set is what allows your teammates to make an attacking hit. To set the ball, hold your hands up with fingers spread and palms facing forward, positioning them slightly in front of and above your forehead. Keep your elbows in and arms straight, ready to push the ball up and forward.
As the ball comes to you, move your feet and body to get under it. Shift your weight forward onto the balls of your feet and bend your knees. Extend your arms up while keeping them straight but not locked, with wrists slightly cocked back. Dig your fingertips into the bottom of the ball and push up and out in one smooth motion to send it high and forward to your hitter. A good set should be quick, accurate, and send the ball to the optimal height and location for your teammate to make a strong attack.
With practice, setting will become second nature. Work on precision, consistency and developing different types of sets for different types of hits. The key is being in the right position and using your whole body, not just your arms, to generate power and aim. Master this fundamental skill, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great volleyball player.
Hitting
To be an effective hitter in volleyball, you need to master some key skills. Work on your approach, timing, and contact point.
As the ball is set, take a quick approach and run to get into position. Time your last two steps so you’re jumping and swinging just as the ball reaches your contact point – about head height and slightly in front of you. Keep your arm straight and swing fast, snapping your wrist down at the last second to give the ball topspin and power.
Aim for the open spots on the court like the back corners. Hit the ball with confidence and intensity for the kill! With practice, you’ll be spiking the ball down before the other team even knows what hit them.
Digging
Digging is one of the most important defensive skills in volleyball. To dig a ball properly:
Bend your knees and keep your torso upright, not leaning forward. Extend your arms straight out in front of you, placing your hands together with fingers pointed up and thumbs side by side.
As the ball comes over the net, watch it closely while shuffling your feet to get into position. Move so you can pass the ball at chest level. Keep your platform straight and don’t swing at the ball. Simply let the ball bounce off your forearms.
Angle your forearms and platform slightly upwards to direct the ball to your setter. Make contact with the ball in the center of your forearms. Follow through after contacting the ball by continuing to extend your arms towards the target.
Practice the timing and positioning to dig balls of different speeds and trajectories. Effective digging requires split-second reaction time and hand-eye coordination to get your platform in the optimal position to pass the ball to your teammates. With regular practice of this essential skill, you’ll be defending spikes and winning points for your team in no time!
Master these essentials, practice your technique and get lots of gameplay experience. You’ll be dominating on the volleyball court in no time!
What are the Terminologies of Volleyball?
As a volleyball player, it’s important to understand the terminology and lingo used in the sport. Here are some of the most common volleyball terms:
- A “set” refers to a pass that directs the ball high into the air so a teammate can attack it.
- The “setter” is the player who sets the ball up for an attack.
- An “attack” is also known as a “spike” – when a player hits the ball over the net into the opponent’s court.
- The “attacker” or “spiker” is the player hitting the attack.
- A “block” occurs when players jump up at the net to stop the other team’s attack and send it back over the net.
- “Blockers” are players who block attacks at the net.
- “Digs” are passes that save the ball from hitting the court after an attack, allowing the team to keep the rally going.
- “Servers” are players who serve the ball to start each rally.
- A “kill” is an attack that the other team cannot return and results in a point.
- “Assists” are awarded to players whose sets lead directly to kills.
- A “rally” refers to continuous play between teams without a fault.
- The “libero” is a defensive specialist who can replace any back-row player.
- The “net” is the barrier between the two sides of the court.
- A “fault” refers to any action that violates the rules of the game and results in a loss of rally or point for the team that committed the fault.
Knowing the terminology will help you better understand and enjoy watching or playing volleyball.
Volleyball Footwork and Movement Tips
To be an effective volleyball player, you need to master efficient footwork and movement. Here are some tips to help improve your skills:
- Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and knees bent. This athletic stance will allow you to move quickly in any direction.
- Take small steps. Don’t cross your feet as you move. Keep your weight forward on the balls of your feet.
- Pivot to change directions. Turn one foot to change the direction you’re facing while keeping the other foot in place. This allows for fast turns while staying balanced.
- Shuffle step sideways. To move laterally without crossing your feet, take small steps to the side by sliding one foot, then the other.
- Stay on your toes. Move on the balls of your feet so you can push off quickly in any direction. Keep your heels slightly off the ground.
- Set your feet as you receive the ball. As the ball is coming to you, take small steps to get under it with knees bent and feet shoulder-width apart. This allows you to pass or set the ball accurately.
- Move to the ball, don’t wait for it. Anticipate where the ball is going and get there before it arrives. Stay light on your feet so you can adjust quickly.
- Communicate with your teammates. Call the ball and coordinate who will play it to avoid confusion and collisions. Move together as a team.
Following these tips will make you a faster, more agile player. Practice the fundamentals of footwork and keep at it to build muscle memory. Your skills and confidence will grow in no time!
Conclusion
So there you have it, the seven basic volleyball skills that you really need to work on to become a successful player. Master these fundamentals and you’ll be well on your way. Don’t get discouraged if you struggle at first. Stick with it through all the missed serves, botched passes, and flubbed spikes. Keep practicing and putting in the work. Stay positive and keep your eye on the prize. Remember that dedication and persistence pay off. Before you know it, you’ll have these skills dialed and be ruling the court.