This document outlines and describes 5 basic volleyball skills: the forearm pass, overhead pass, serve, spike, and block. Each skill is defined and the proper techniques are explained in multiple steps. The forearm pass is the most common ball handling skill and is used for serves and playing balls below the waist. The overhead pass allows for the most control and accuracy in passing the ball above other players. The serve is the first opportunity to gain an advantage, and spiking is a powerful attacking skill performed in the air at the back of the court. Blocking is used to counter offensive attacks by jumping at the net.

1. Volleyball
5 Basic Skills

2. 5 Skills
• In this presentation you will learn how to do
the:
• Forearm Pass (Bump)
• Overhead Pass
• Serve
• Spike
• Block

3. Forearm Pass
• This pass is the most frequently used ball
handling skill in volleyball
• It is used to serve, play balls below the waist,
and play hard-driven balls.
• Using this pass also avoids ball-handling
violations.

4. Forearm Pass: Techniques
1. Plant feet
shoulders width
apart
2. Flex knees at 90°
angle
3. Lean upper body
forward aligning
the shoulders over
the knees

5. Forearm Pass: Techniques
4. Extend hands
downward, press
thumbs together
5. Rotate elbows
inward
6. Arms are parallel
with the legs
7. Ball makes contact
with forearms above
the wrist

6. Overhead Pass
• This is the most controllable of the ball
handling skills.
• Used to pass the ball accurately above the
other players’ head.
• Helps set ball for next play.

7. Overhead Pass: Techniques
1. Plant feet
shoulders width
apart
2. Flex knees at 90°
angle
3. Lean upper body
forward aligning
the shoulders over
the knees

8. Overhead Pass: Techniques
4. Raise arms above
your head
5. Flex elbows at
90° angle
6. Open hands with
thumbs pointing
inwards
7. Separate fingers

9. Overhead Pass: Techniques
8. Flex wrists
backward
9. Ball contacts
hands on inner
edges
10. Force travels
from legs, arms
extend

10. The Serve
• This is the first opportunity a team has to
put the opponent at a disadvantage.
• Only the serving team may score a point.

11. Serve: Techniques
• Striking Arm: Arm
used by player to
serve the ball.
•Lead Foot: Foot that
will be extended out in
front of the player
during serve.

12. Serve: Techniques
1. Step forward with
Lead Foot
2. Point Lead Foot
towards target
3. Hold ball in hand
opposite the
Striking Arm

13. Serve: Techniques
4. Toss ball into air
.5 M above head
5. Striking Elbow
rises parallel with
shoulder
6. Upper body
rotates
7. Hand is open with
wrist flexed.

14. Serve: Techniques
8. Striking Elbow
snaps forward
9. Hand is flat and
contacts ball at
the bottom
10. Follow through
with Striking Arm
after hitting the
ball

15. The Spike
• This is a skill which uses lots of force to attack
the opponents side of the court.
• It is performed in the air.
• Contact with the ball is made at the back midline
to drive the ball downwards

16. Spike: Techniques
The approach to the net
occurs in 4 steps:
1. Put the foot opposite
Striking Arm forward
2. Short step forward
with opposite foot
3. Long, running step
forward
4. Bring Left/Right feet
together to prepare
for the jump

17. Spike: Techniques
To jump the player uses his/her
arms and legs simultaneously
6. Swing arms
backwards and then
forwards
7. Use momentum from
arms and force from
legs to jump
5. Bend knees to 90°
angle

18. Spike: Techniques
8. In the air align Striking
Arm with the ball
9. Strike the ball with a
firm and open hand
10. Snap wrist to direct the
ball downwards into
opponent’s court
11. Follow through with
Striking Arm

20. The Block
• This skill is used to counter an offensive
attack.
• The more blockers used, the less net space
left open for the opponent.

21. Block: Techniques
1. Flex knees/elbows
with feet parallel to
the net
2. Use momentum
from arms and legs
to jump
3. Extend arms
straight into the air
4. Angle hands
downward to deflect
the ball