How To Bump Pass a Volleyball

The pass is often one of the first easy things that new volleyball players learn and also the first thing they forget. The forearm pass is already awkward to new players learning the sport. No other sport uses the body to move a ball the way volleyball does. Often new players will call upon their experiences and try to use their hands instead of their arms.

As you read through the instructions, the links will take you to pictures showing you a particular body movement.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 1 to 3 days to learn

Here's How:

1. Get to the Ball & Set Your Position!

   The first thing you must do is quickly get to the ball and set your position. Often players try to pass the ball without first setting their positions. This results in passing errors. It makes sense; get their early and set the same position you always do and your body will have an easier time adjusting to the flight arch and speed of the ball.

2. Setting Your Position

   1. Place your feet, one slightly ahead of the other and shoulder width apart.
   2. Your hands should be joined together with the thumbs parallel to each other.
   3. Your knees should be bent and arms extended out from your body so that they are parallel with your thighs.
   4. Your back should be straight and you should be relaxed.
   5. Always keep your eye on the ball.

3. Making Contact with the Ball

   1. Hands Together: With your hands together, try to receive the ball towards your non-dominate side.
   2. Extend, Poke, Slant and Watch: Upon contact with the ball extend your legs slightly, and move your arms in a slight forward and upward "poking" motion, using your legs to propel the ball, not your arms. Slant your arms toward the target keeping your hips under your center of gravity and tilted forward. Watch the ball make contact with your arms.

4. Follow Through

   1. Follow that Ball: After the hit, keep your hands together. Your arms follow the ball towards the target.
   2. Keep Arms Still: Do not swing your arms too much. You want to keep them at all times below your shoulders .
   3. Transfer: Transfer your weight to your forward foot. This adds more power and control to the pass. Players sometime "fall back" on a pass, resulting in the ball traveling in an arc higher than anticipated. Maintain eye contact with the ball and stay prepared.

Tips:

1. Players will sometime bend at the waist keeping their legs straight. This usually results in a pass that is too low and too fast. Keeping your arms parallel to your thighs will help eliminate balls contacting your arms at or above your elbows, sometimes resulting in a double contact or even worse a facial.
2. The forearm pass is one of the easiest things to do in volleyball, but so many people screw it up. If you are a new player, or a seasoned player who's pass shots just aren't doing what you want them to do, then follow these simple steps to a better forearm pass.

What You Need:

• volleyball
• partner