How To Control a Shanked Volleyball Pass

By Joseph Salonga. One of the toughest skills a setter learns is controlling the shanked pass. They come in all varieties: passes to the side; over the net; and backwards. This technique focuses on balls passed into the net.

Difficulty: Hard

Time Required: 2 Seconds

Here's How:

1. Get to the ball: the most important step, even on a good pass. If you can't get there, you can't control the ball
2. Get low. If you try to take the ball too high, you may touch the net. Getting low also gives you more time to react after the ball comes out of the net
3. Platform! Platform! Platform! Your arms should be ready for the pass the ball higher than normal. (Remember you will be below the net)
4. Pass off the net. If you pass the ball in the same place as the net, your hitters will have a difficult time hitting cleanly, or worse, you will set the other team.

Tips:

1. Before the match begins, try tossing the ball at the net. Every net has different tension. Some balls roll straight down, others will pop all the way out to the 3-meter line.
2. Read your own passers.