Volleyball Tips and Guidelines Do Not Share Without Permission

Written by Jeff Tong

Types of Drills/Exercises Short court A one vs. one volleyball game where the namesake court is very small. This drill focuses more on control and less on hitting. Each player has three touches before the ball must be sent over the net. Half court doubles The full volleyball court is split into two halves, with one game taking place on each of the halves. Two players are on each side, one in the back, to dig hits, pass the ball, and hit the ball when the person in the front sets it, and one in the front, to block the opponent, watch for tips, and set his teammate. Since only half of the court is used, the hitters must be strategic in placing their hits; otherwise they would always be out. Back row triples w/o setter The entire court is used, and there are three players on each side of the court, all standing in the back row. Because there is no setter, one player who does not dig the first ball must run and set the ball for a hitter to hit. Sometimes, you can quickly talk with your team to talk with them who wants to be the designated setter. If not, then you must be loud on the court and communicate. In addition, you may only hit from behind the 10 foot attack line, which divides the back row from the front row. This makes hitting extremely difficult, as you are 10 feet away from the net when jumping. Back row triples w/ setter All rules apply as above, only that there is a setter. Now, one of the three back row players does not have to set, because there is already a setter on the court. In this drill, there are actually 4 players on each side of the net, as there is a setter on each team. Triples w/ setter Same thing as above, except that you do not have to worry about the 10 foot attack line. You may hit from anywhere. Pepper Passing the ball back and forth between two players. When the two players are advanced enough that they can keep a pepper going for a while, a

downball can be added to increase difficulty. There is also a three man version of this, where the third player acts as a setter. One player will toss the ball to the designated third man setter who will then set that player. That player will hit the ball to the other player, who digs it to the setter. The setter then sets that player, who hits it back to the original player, and so on. Hitting lines Setters are in their positions, and everyone has a ball. They toss to the setter, and the setter sets them, to practice their hitting. You may hit from any position that you are comfortable with, outside, middle, opposite, or pipe. If you are a libero and do not wish to hit, you may go onto the other side to try to dig hits. Beware, because this can be dangerous at higher levels.

There are many more drills that are used in East Brunswick Volleyball, but these are the basic ones. The coaches will explain the others, and you will quickly catch on. I dont even remember exact details about some of them.

Types of Hits Hitting Line (different from hitting lines, the drill) a player (either opposite or outside) hits the ball straight in front of them, down the side line. This is very effective because there are generally no players standing near the line. Obviously, this also takes a great amount of skill because one inch can be the difference between in and out. Hitting Cross Hitting across the court, so if you are on the left side (outside) you will be hitting to your right, and if you are on the right side (opposite) you will be hitting to your left. Also effective, as you are not hitting the ball to the other teams libero. Much easier to execute as you have a greater margin for error. Roll shot rolling the ball off of your palm by bringing your hand up. This creates a top spin. These hits are basically foolproof to execute, but they are the easiest to dig. Do not use these in a game unless you absolutely need to.

Tip tipping the ball lightly to an open area of the court. Although this may seem easy, it is actually quite difficult to get an effective tip executed against an advanced team.

Pipe Setting the Libero, in the back row. He/she may not jump before the 10 foot attack line, or this will be a violation. Some people can be very good at back row hitting.

1 ball only for middles. A quick set is in the air, only for 1 second, and the middle hits to either side of the opponents court, preferably not to the middle as the libero will be standing there.

2 ball only for middles as well. The ball is in the air for 2 seconds, increasing the amount of time you have to hit the ball. This is not as effective, because it gives the opposing team more time to react. A middle hit should be as quick as possible, even quicker than a 1 ball, if possible.

31 the middle hits the ball three steps to the left of the setter, but still takes the approach similarly as a 1 ball. The setter shoots the ball straight into the middles hands, who then hits it straight down. This is hard to execute, but usually results in a kill.

Slide also for middles. The middle starts out where he/she normally would for a 1 or 2 ball, but instead of doing a regular approach, first takes a step with their left foot, then a step to the side with their right foot, and then a finally step with their left foot, propelling them into the air. The setter must time the middles slide accurately, as the setter will be setting the ball backwards and into the middles hand, which then hits. This is very hard to do, as you need a great middle and an outstanding setter.

Back 1 Same thing as a 1 ball for middles, except the setter is setting behind his head to the middle. This needs a good setter.

Shoot Basically a 31 for an outside hitter, the hitter takes his approach extra early, and the setter shoots the ball into the hitters hand.

Outside hit the outside player hits the ball from almost outside the court.

Inside hit the outside player hits the ball from inside the court. This usually has to be done when the setter is poor, or the outside player is not tall enough to be able to jump and hit over the net. Inside hits are usually bad.

Opposite hit the setter sets a backset, which is hit by an opposite hitter behind him.

These are all the basic hits, you will learn more the more you play. Types of Approaches 4 step if you are a righty, this will be right, left (these first two are small steps) and then RIGHT LEFT (HUGE EXPLOSIVE STEPS to propel yourself high into the air). If you are a lefty, this will be the opposite, left right LEFT RIGHT. Generally used by outsides and opposites (and back row hitters). 3 step same thing, except the first mini step is taken away. Quickens your approach for effectiveness. For righties, left RIGHT LEFT. For lefties, right LEFT RIGHT. Used by everyone. 2 step only use your explosive steps. Very quick but very difficult. For righties, RIGHT LEFT. For lefties, LEFT RIGHT. Used by advanced middles.

These are basically the only ones that are used.

Positions Outside Hitter there are two of these on at one time. One in the left front, one in the left back. The best-rounded players, outsides can pass, hit, block, set, and serve. Usually a righty. Middle Blocker/Hitter Only one is on at a time (technically two, but the libero takes the place of the back row middle). A very tall member of the team, designated mostly for blocking. Usually cannot set or pass very well, because of his/her height. Usually a righty. One middle will serve, while the other middle will let the libero serve for him.

Opposite Hitter A hitter on the right side of the court. Only one is on the court at a time. Hits well, and also sets well, taking the second ball if the setter takes the first, and also being the help setter. Also blocks, passes, and serves.

Setter In my opinion, the most important player on the team. All the hitters listed above are nothing without a setter. Always takes the second ball if possible, and sets the hitters to hit. Usually dont pass, but can block or even hit when in front row. Always serves.

Libero the best passer on the team, and usually the shortest player. Takes the place of the back row middle (who usually cant pass well) to play. Always wears a different colored jersey to distinguish them.

Rotations Rotations would be impossible to describe, so I will give handouts. WAAAYYY different from gym. Forget everything you ever learned about volleyball from gym, I can say ALL of it is flawed.

Definitions There are also way too many definitions to name, and there are probably a bunch of volleyball dictionaries online. If there are words in here that you dont understand, either ask me or ask google.

Types of serves Standing float the ball is contacted only with the palm, giving it no spin. This makes the ball difficult to pass, as the ball is floating around in the air and moving from side to side. Standing topspin the ball is contacted hard and with the fingers, to give it a topspin. This increases the speed of the ball. Jump float the player takes a small 3-4 step approach before lightly tossing the ball into the air to perform a float serve. Increases the speed of the float.

Jump serve the player starts way back, and throws the ball high, with a topspin, into the court, and runs quickly with an approach and hits with force. These are the serves that sixpack people and injure them, when done well. Throughout your volleyball life you will be sixpacked many times, so embrace the fact.

Pretty much everything else will be learned with experience. You can always ask me or another player for help, and Ill be always happy to answer your questions.

Final Tips (I will always be adding to this) If you are playing setter and you cannot reach the ball in t ime, yell HELP so another player can get it for you and save the point. If you are playing setter and you dug the first ball, yell SETTER OUT so another player can take the second ball. If you are blocking and you touched the ball, yell TOUCH so that your team can save the ball, and know that you touched it. If you are passing and the ball comes in between two players, yell MINE if you think its yours. If you dont think so, then yell YOURS to tell the other player to get it. Liberos will be guarding the back line, while the two other passer will be guarding the front line. If the ball lands in the middle right behind the 10 foot line, IT IS NOT THE LIBEROS BALL, EVEN IF HE IS CLOSEST. The two other passers must talk this over. Any ball that lands near the back is the liberos, regardless of which side it lands on. The back row is huge, and this is the most effective way of diving it up. Try to keep your sets without spin, as spinning sets are difficult to hit, and also may be called double touches or even lifts Always stay low when youre passing. Imagine youre doing a wall sit. Yeah, you should be that low.

If you are a passer, watch your blockers to see where they are blocking. Cover spaces that they are not blocking. If the other team is hitting from THEIR OUTSIDE, the back row outside on your team must move a little closer, and the setter/opposite must move a little more to the left, to cover both line and cross hits.

When hitting, always be in a bow and arrow position. This gives you maximum power and torque of your body. Watch pro players for this, thats how I developed my own (which is still developing).

When blocking, keep your hands outstretched, and taut. If you do not do this, YOU WILL BREAK YOUR FINGERS OFF. There have been people who went up to block with limp fingers and came down with no fingers. People have had their entire fingers broken straight off from blocking incorrectly. The ball comes fast and hard, be strong for it.

Do not go under the net, as this is a violation Do not go over the net to block the set, as this is also a violation You do not get any service faults. In high school volleyball, you are allowed one miss-throw but you must not catch the ball. Let it fall to the ground, and make sure your next toss for your serve is good.

ALWAYS PASS FROM YOUR FOREARMS. Never from your platform, unless because of a strong hitter. Youll know if its because of a strong hitter.

Never swing your arms when you are passing, use your legs to increase power Take liberties, dive, get dirty. Thats the fun part about volleyball, dont be scared to land on the floor. The more times you dive, the more prone to injury youll be. But dont be an idiot, know what to get and what not to get.

If the ball hits the net, still play it. If the ball seems out of reach, still try if you can. Remember, you can use any body part, including a foot. There have been countless times when people have dug balls with their feet, with a backward kick.

Never be intimidated when you see a big hitter. Be ready to pass, and be excited to pass.

Communicate with your team. Talk with them, and let them know perks of opposing hitters and setters. Learn to read their minds.

Try to read setters hitters. Learn what the setter looks like when they are about to dump the ball, what the hitter looks like when they are about to tip, etc.

Try to serve to weak passers, as weak serves can even cause them to shank the ball.

Push yourself. Tryouts will be hard, if youve never been on a sports team before. People have thrown up, cried, and given up. But dont let anything scare you, keep your mentality, and youll be fine. Most of the team has only been playing for a few months, so you can catch up if you practice hard and push yourself.

Everything comes with experience, the more you play, the better youll play. Always be honest, if you touched the net, tell the referee you touched the net. If you didnt, and the referee says you did, remain calm.