Tips for New Players

The essence of Volleyball is that of Maximum participation by all the players in the team. - leading to maximum enjoyment of the sport by the Participants. Three hits on each side of the net are not only allowed - they are encouraged. Using all three hits has two major advantages. i. It involves more of the team. ii.It enables the ball to be set up into a position where the final hitter has a better chance of making a winning hit. Below are a number of diagrams and explanations that will help social and begining volleyball players understand the simple skills involved. The three hits generally consist of a first player “Digging” or “Bumping” to pass the ball towards a player that is standing closest to the middle of the net. The second player, ideally in the middle of the front row, will then “Set” the ball in the direction of another player in the front row. The third player will then “Spike” or “Bump” the ball to the other side of the court. All diagrams are taken from the KIWI-VOLLEY COACHING MANUAL" produced by Volleyball NZ and the Hilary Commission.

The Serve.

READY PHASE.

1. Foot Opposite hitting hard.
2. Ball held at waist height.
3. Sholders square to net.
4. Eyes on Ball.
5. Open hitting hand.

1.Arm swings back.
2. Weight Shifts back.
3. Arms swing forward,
4. Weight shifts forward.
5. 'Holding' hand drops ball.
6. Use heel of open hand.
7. Contact ball at Waist Level.
8. Hit ball below centre back.

1. Weight on front foot.
2. Arm toward top of net but keep below shoulder height.
3. Move onto Court.

The Dig (or Bump).

Ready.

1. Hands held with palms facing each other.
2. Stride position
3. Feet shoulder width apart.
4.Knees bent.
5. Forearm parallel to thigh
6. Back Straight.
7. Eyes on underside of ball.

NB. Keep your Hnads steady when digging by keeping
your thumbs parallel (wrapping on hand in another).

Action.

1. Thumbs Parallel
2. Heels of hands together.
3. Slight extension of legs.
4. Forward and upward 'poking motion.
5. Platform slanted to target.
6. Watch ball contact arms.

Follow Through

1. Hands remain joined.
2. Platform follows ball.
3. Arms not higher than shoulder.
4. Transfer weight forward.
5. Eyes follow ball to target.

The Set.
This skill is used by a player receiving any ball higher than the shoulder level and coming to the player with little force.
The set is used in the sequence of DIG,SET, SPIKE and is used to change the direction of the ball so that it is placed high and near the neat for an attaching hit.

1. Feet apart
2. Legs slightly bent.
3. Shoulders square to target.
4. Hands forming window in front of forehead.

1. Contact lower back of ball.
2. Extend arms and thigh.

1. Roll hands out.
2. Extend arms.
3. Move in direction of balls.

Follow Through.

The Spike.
The spike is a forceful hit into the opponents' court made from the front-court position. This skill requires the player to co-ordinate jumping in the air and hitting the moving ball over the net so that it lands in the opponents' court - all in one movement!

You need a good grounding in the basics of DIG. SET, SPIKE first.

The Block.
The purpose of the block is to deny the opponents' attacking balls access to your court.

It is the first line of defense against the opposition, but should follow the basics of DIG, SET, SPIKE.