Essential Volleyball Techniques and Skill Fundamentals

Volleyball Base Contact Position

To assume the base contact position:

• Flex your knees slightly and bend your body forward.
• Separate your feet and position them slightly apart (shoulder-width).
• Arms are flexed and placed in front of the body.

Finger Contact (Setting) Technique

This technique is used for setting the ball:

• Position the ball above your forehead.
• Point your feet in the direction you intend to send the ball.
• Elbows are flexed, and hands are positioned above the forehead, fingers facing up and open properly.
• Both hands and fingers should form a triangular window (pointer).
• The ball must touch the finger pads (pulp).
• Extend your legs and arms flexibly while sending the ball upwards.

Forearm Pass (Bump) Fundamentals

The forearm pass is essential for receiving and defense:

• Position yourself behind the ball.
• Point your feet in the direction you want to pass the ball.
• Flex your legs and bend your trunk forward significantly.
• Arms must be fully extended, held at approximately 45 degrees relative to the ground.
• Fingers of both hands must be clasped together.
• Maintain an elongated and stable stance during contact.
• Ensure the ball contacts the forearms (avoiding hands or wrists).
• Do not bend the elbows; arms should rise up together.

Serving Techniques

There are two primary types of serves.

Underhand Serve Execution

For the regular underhand serve:

1. Stand behind the end line, with the left foot forward. Do not step on the line.
2. Keep your legs flexed.
3. Hold the ball at waist level.
4. Extend the hitting hand (usually the right hand) backward.
5. Bring the hand forward like a pendulum, hitting the ball using the inside bottom (heel) of the hand.
6. Maintain the arm direction after hitting the ball to guide its trajectory.

Overhand Attack and Jump Serve

This technique is used for powerful attacks or jump serves:

• Take two or three steps for the approach run.
• Execute a small jump to gain maximum height.
• The hitting arm (right hand) is drawn back.
• Hit the ball in front of your hand, maintaining the forward drive.

Blocking Strategy and Execution

Blocking is performed close to the net:

• Stand close to the net without touching it.
• Jump up to block the opponent's attack.
• Extend your hands fully upwards.
• Open up your arms and keep fingers close to each other, maintaining rigidity.

Defensive Dive and Roll Techniques

These techniques are used when retrieving difficult balls:

• A defensive roll (or jirabirako) is generally used after a single contact when the player is forced to dive.
• If the player dives forward to contact the ball, the arms, chest, and stomach should contact the ground sequentially to cushion the impact.

Court Positions and Attacking Zones

The primary attacking zones (or scoring zones) are Zone 2 and Zone 4.

Beach Volleyball Setup and Scoring

Beach volleyball differs from indoor volleyball in several ways:

• Each team consists of two players.
• The court measures 8x8 meters per side (implied by 8X1).
• Matches are typically played as the best of three sets:
  • Sets 1 and 2 are played to 21 points.
  • The deciding set (Set 3) is played to 15 points.