How To Be Prepared to Pass

One of the biggest mistakes players make when playing volleyball is that they are not ready to receive the ball and pass the ball at all times. Regardless of whether you are the setter, server or the hitter, when you are not moving, you should be ready to receive the ball. Your body's position is key in being able to find, and pass the ball with consistency and with accuracy.

Let's look at your body's position from the feet up.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Seconds to execute, an hour to practice.

Here's How:

1. FEET AND LEGS
   • Feet at Your Shoulders - Feet should be placed shoulder width apart.
   • Get Up On the Balls of Your Feet - heels off of the ground.
   • Limit Foot Movements to a Shuffle Step - don't cross your feet; but shuffle them in order to move to the ball.
2. HIPS AND BACK
   • Hips Level & Square - keep you hips level and square to towards the ball.
   • Back Straight - avoid bending your back; think of yourself sitting upright in a chair
3. SHOULDERS AND ARMS
   • Shoulders Square - Like you hips, your shoulders should be back and square to the ball.
   • Arms Straight & In Front - Keep your elbows locked and arms boxed out in front of you. You want to receive the ball in front of you.
   • Move Arms at Shoulders - If you keep your arms straight, the only place you can move your arms is shoulders, correct? So, make it happen.
4. HANDS
   • Hands Loose - Unlike you may have thought, your hands do not have to be locked together. It is far better to keep your hands loose and apart before you move to the ball .

Tips:

1. Don't have Flat Feet - Don't get stuck in the mud or planted in one spot. Keep on the balls of your feet and step lightly.
2. Bend at the Hips, Not the Back - Too often players bend at the back, which displaces your center of gravity which will push the ball short or long.
3. Control Arm Swing - A pass is a controlled movement; don't pass the ball by trying to swing your arms.
4. Keep Crouched - You want to keep that crouched position, knees bent, back straight, arms out in front.
5. Keep Arms Up and Out - You have to keep your arms out front to pass, so keep them out there when you are moving.