LESSON 7B

FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS & DRILLS

THE PASS

Set your Goals

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to

 identify the different types of passes

 execute the proper way of receiving/catching the ball
 demonstrate properly the different kinds of pass as well as catching the ball that comes from a
pass
 show alertness in executing the drills in passing and receiving

Expand your Knowledge

THE PASS

The pass is the cornerstone of every player's game. It is the first contact of a team with balls
coming from the opponent's serve, spike, tip or volley. Pass is the most frequently used skill in volleyball.
A good passer is a valuable member in a team. He is called a "passing machine". He can easily and
consistently direct the ball to where the setter is He contributes to make the offense work efficiently. A
good pass increases the options of the setter for more combination attacks for his team. Even mediocre
setters can be successful, and will look good making hittable sets from good passes.

The bump pass or dig pass is commonly used to pass a served ball. It is called the bump pass
because the player bumps the ball everytime contact is made with the forearms from a low position.

MECHANICS OF THE BUMP OR DIG PASS

Grip Choose a grip to hold hands together so the player can lock his/be elbows. Find a suitable
grip with which the player is comfortable. The wrists drop and are "hyper extended down" to create a
consistent platform

Grip # 1 - Hold the flat of one hand with the other hand, and place the thumbs side by side.

Grip #2 - Wrap one hand around the other (hold in fist), and place the thumbs side by side.

Grip #3 - Put the left hand between the right index and middle fingers, then bring the thumbs side
by side. (Try this grip for receiving served balls).

Platform

1. Form a good platform by keeping the forearms locked together working as one.
2. Think of the arms as a 2x4 piece of wood straight with a flat surface.
3. The closer the player can place his/her arms together, the easier it will be for him/her to pass well.
Body Position

1. The legs are bent with knees in front of the toes.

2. The feet should always form a stable base.
3. In passing serve to the setter, "the right foot lead' stance is used to direct the ball to where the
setter is.
4. The body should always be in line to the flight of the incoming ball.
5. The right foot forward stance will help the preparatory move for the pre-contact easier and more
efficient.
6. The lower the player gets to receive the ball, the higher is his/her pass trajectory toward the setter.
This is very useful in receiving serves that are short or serve the net.

Contact

1. The ball is contacted two to four inches above the wrists.

2. The arms and wrists should be as flat as possible, and made into a consistent surface. The more
consistent the surface is, the more the player makes consistent and better passes.

Follow-Through

1. The arms after contact may have a slight follow through towards the ball's flight.
2. Hand driven ball needs a slight "cushioning' at contact.

Setting/Overhead Passing

To set is to use the skill of overhead passing, to put a ball for the spiker to attack. The overhead
pass is preferred to the forearm pass because there is more control, and is more accurate. It may also be
used to deliver a third contact over the net to the opponents if an attack is not possible.

MECHANICS OF THE OVERHEAD SET/PASS

1. Establish a stable position. The feet about shoulder width apart and one foot slightly forward.
2. The body is slightly bent forward.
3. The hands should be in front and above the forehead.
4. A triangle is formed by the thumbs and the index, and middle fingers of both hands through
which the wrists really push the ball. The ring and little fingers give the extra control.
5. Contact the ball with the pads of the fingers. Try to produce the "trampoline effect" every time
contact is made.
6. If possible always face the target with the whole body.
7. For follow through, extend the body and the arms after contact in the direction that it is aimed.
LESSON 7C

FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS & DRILLS

THE ATTACK

Set your Goals

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to

 identify the different types of attacks and blocks

 execute the proper way of attacking/blocking the hall
 demonstrate properly the different kinds of attacks as well a blocking the ball coming from a pass
 show alertness in executing the drills in attacking and blocking

Expand your Knowledge

THE ATTACK

The attack is one of the most exciting parts of the game, the attack done usually on the third
contact which could be a spike or smash, tips or “dink”. The spike is the most common attack. To spike is
to put away the ball from the top of the net with considerable force towards the opponents court.

MECHANICS OF THE SPIKE

1. Approach: Feet, shoulder width apart Knees are bent. The body is bent forward at the waist. The
head is held up. The approach can be four, three or two steps.

The four-step approach is used for high sets.

The two or three step approaches are used for quick sets. In the standard four-step approach, the
first step is a timing step usually slow. The second step is a directional step toward the spot,
where the set will be hit. It is a long faster step. The next step is short and fast, to change a
horizontal drive into a vertical jump. The last step serve as a brake to the forward movement to
prepare for the jump for right handed spikers. The rhythm is right, left right-left. The reverse is
true for the left-handed spikers.
2. The Jump: The last two steps of the approach (right-left) are the beginning of the jump as the
knees are flexed. The arms swing backward, forward then up as the vertical jump begins.
3. The Contact and Hit: The spiking arm is moved back and up into a hitting position. The hitting
arm swings upward and forward to contact the ball which is usually 2 to 3 feet in front of the
hitting shoulder with a wrist snaps. Spike or hit, and make a follow through. See the hands
forward after the hit, land on the balls of the feet, and avoid crossing the centerline.
The Block

To block is to intercept the ball from the opponents' side before it grosses the vertical plane of the
net. It is the first line of defense against any opponents' attack.

MECHANICS OF THE BLOCK

1. Ready Position: The blocker starts at the net with the feet parallel and balanced. The arms are
held high with the spread fingers.
2. Read: See the passer and the type of service receive reaching the setter. Poor reception usually
lessens the setter's option so that blockers can read the player to be set and to be blocked. Read
the hitter. Do not watch the ball.
3. Preparation: Before jumping, the blocker should position in front of the spiker's favorite angle
of attack always jump to where spiker has made his last jump.
4. Take-off: Jump at least a meter from the net. The hands should penetrate over the net. The rule
is: "Eyes up, head down" Keep the eyes open all the time.
5. Contact: Attempt to contact the ball with the open hands. The hands should be facing downward.
They should be strong and are angled towards the opponent's floor.
6. Follow-through: Once contact has been made, or the ball has passed the block to prevent
touching the net. The blocker lands turn back quickly to assist in defense or back pedal for a
transition play.