Passing: Tips to Consistency

Question: Do you have any tips on making forearm pass easy.. I play in a YMCA coed league,and my passes run hot and cold.. Thanks for your help..

This question was asked by Clay. Thank you clay for your question.

I have a few personal tips that I tell my girls that I coach that I’m going to share with you.

Passing Tips

1. Keep your platform high
2. Follow through to target
3. Don’t swing; use your legs
4. Watch the ball make contact with your arms

1. KEEP YOUR PLATFORM HIGH

The term “platform” refers to the combined area of both forearms that the ball makes contact with during a pass. Trying to pass the ball to target consistently can be difficult if your platform is not at the right angle. When getting ready to pass, your platform should be as close to parallel with the ground as possible. Next I will be explaining why following through to target can help, but you cannot do that successfully if your platform is not up.

2. FOLLOW THROUGH TO TARGET

Every coach has a different method of passing. Whether it is a certain footwork arrangement or something specific that has to be done, it doesn’t really matter. Through my years of playing and seeing many different methods, I have noticed one thing in common with all of them that is most successful. No matter how you pass you should always follow through to target. If you are passing from the left back, as you are passing your back leg (whether left or right) should be following through in front of you towards the target. If you are passing with your right foot in front, you should be following through with your left. And the same goes with the rest of the passing positions.

3. DON’T SWING; USE YOUR LEGS

This one is a small tip, but it is most commonly used. A lot of players, young and old, have a tendency to pass with just their arms causing them to swing. While this may work for some passing it won’t work for all. If you swing at a hard-driven ball, everyone knows its going to go flying somewhere. So the key is to keep your platform up and while passing, instead of swinging your arms, keep them where they are and meet the ball with your arms by bending and extending your legs.

4. WATCH THE BALL MAKE CONTACT WITH YOUR ARMS

This tip is used to help new players get an understanding of what actions cause passing errors. As you are getting ready to pass follow the ball with your eyes as you raise your platform. Continue to watch the ball as you make contact and watch it go all the way to target.

Hope this helps you solve some of your problems Clay. The key to great passing, as well as other aspects to volleyball is consistency which can be achieved by repitition. So practice these tips everytime you pass and the consistency will come.