# The Basic Skills · Volleyball Level 1: Beginner

Volleyball · Level 1: Beginner · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/volleyball/level-1/the-basic-skills/)

The Basic Skills in Volleyball (Level 1: Beginner) on Insporta: 100 sourced facts behind 10 tests. Covers: the ready position; the forearm pass; and more.

The ready position, the forearm and overhead passes, the underhand and overhand serves, the spike, the block, the dig, moving to the ball and warming up.

## Test 1: The ready position

- Feet about shoulder-width apart give a stable base for moving quickly in any direction. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Weight forward on the balls of the feet lets the player push off straight away. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Arms ready in front of the body can form a pass quickly. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Bent knees and a low body make the first step to the ball quicker. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Being ready before the opponent's contact gives time to read and react. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A small hop, timed with the opponent's contact, leaves the player balanced and ready to move. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Facing the server lets the receiver see the toss and the ball's flight from the start. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Build the position from the base upwards. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Get ready, watch the toss, read the flight, then move. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- B has the feet apart, knees bent, weight forward and arms out in front. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)

## Test 2: The forearm pass

- The forearm pass is often called a bump. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Wrapping one hand in the other with the thumbs level keeps the forearms even. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The arms finish toward the target, so the ball goes where they point. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The ball comes off a steady pair of forearms; the legs, not a big swing, add any force. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The platform is the flat surface made by the two forearms side by side. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Fast or low balls, like serves and attacks, are played with the forearms. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Bent elbows make an uneven surface and the ball shoots off at an angle. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Get behind the ball, form the platform, make contact and finish toward the target. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The movement starts from the legs and ends at the forearms that meet the ball. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The ball should meet the flat inside of the forearms, above the wrists. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)

## Test 3: The overhead pass

- The ball is played off the pads of the fingers and thumbs. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- On the beach, hand sets must be very clean, so many players bump-set instead. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Thumbs and forefingers form a window above the forehead that the player looks through. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The setter plays the second ball, usually with an overhead pass. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The ball has to rebound; held too long, it is a catch. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The whole body extends upward and forward through the ball. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Ten fingers give much finer control over direction and height. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Get under it, hands up, take it on the fingers, then extend to the target. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Digs are lowest, forearm passes at the waist, overhead passes above the head. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Hands above the forehead and fingers spread: an overhead pass, or set. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)

## Test 4: The underhand serve

- The underhand serve is easy to learn, so it suits beginners and children. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The non-hitting hand holds the ball low in front while the hitting arm swings. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A firm heel of the hand or closed fist gives a solid contact. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The straight arm swings back and through, like a pendulum, below the shoulder. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The foot opposite the hitting arm steps forward, giving balance and room to swing. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Without a toss and a high swing, there is much less to get right. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Getting the serve in comes first; aiming at zones comes later. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Stance, hold, backswing and the forward swing through the ball. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- From the simplest serve to the most athletic. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A low, pendulum swing under the ball is the underhand serve. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)

## Test 5: The overhand serve

- The service zone runs back to the end of the free zone, so servers choose their distance. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- With almost no spin, the ball moves unpredictably in the air, like a knuckleball. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Topspin makes the ball dive down at the end of its flight. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The server tosses, runs in and hits the ball in the air, like a spike. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A firm, short hit through the middle of the ball gives almost no spin. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- With the ball behind the head, the server cannot swing forward through it. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A serve that scores directly is an ace. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Stance, toss, backswing and contact. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The toss comes first, then the run-up and jump, and the hit at the top. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A toss in front of the hitting shoulder lets the server swing forward through the ball. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)

## Test 6: The spike

- A right-hander's approach usually has three or four steps, with the last two right then left. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Swinging the arms back and then up drives the jump. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The highest point in front of the hitting shoulder gives power and a downward angle. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A wrist snap over the ball adds topspin and drives it downward. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Instead of hitting hard, the attacker places the ball softly into an open spot. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The run-up turns forward speed into a higher jump. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A two-foot landing spreads the force and lowers the risk of injury. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Approach, jump, swing, contact and landing. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Both arms drive the jump, then the hitting arm cocks and strikes. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Hitting the ball hard downward from the top of a jump at the net is a spike, or attack hit. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)

## Test 7: The block

- A blocker waits close to the net, square to it, ready to jump. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Spread, firm hands reaching over the net take up as much space as possible. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The hitter jumps from further away, so the blocker usually goes a split second later. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- One, two or three front-row players can block together. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Tilting the hands back deflects the ball upward so a team-mate can play it. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Firm hands send the ball back instead of letting it break through. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Turning toward the ball lets the blocker join the next play. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Read, move, jump, reach over and land. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- One, two or three blockers. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Two players jump side by side: a double block. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)

## Test 8: The dig

- A dig is a defensive play that saves an attacked ball from hitting the floor. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Most digs are forearm passes played low and fast. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A low, ready body reaches fast, low balls in time. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The defender slides a flat hand under the ball so it bounces up off the back of the hand. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A high dig to the middle gives the setter time to reach it. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The libero is a defensive specialist who plays mostly in the back row. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The approach and arm swing give clues to the direction of the hit. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Read, get low, get under it and lift it high. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A good dig gives the team a chance to attack back. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- D is low, with the forearms joined under the ball: a dig. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)

## Test 9: Moving to the ball

- Shuffle steps keep the body facing the ball and the feet ready to stop. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- For longer distances players turn and run, or use crossover steps. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A balanced, stopped body plays the ball more accurately than one still moving. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A clear call stops two players from colliding or leaving the ball between them. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Facing the target makes an accurate pass much easier. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Every player moves for the next play or covers in case the ball goes astray. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A short ball needs a quick run forward and a low body to play it. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Read, move, stop and then pass. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Shuffle for a short move, crossover for further, sprint for the longest. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- B is nearest to the ball and should call it and pass it. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)

## Test 10: Warming up for skills

- A warm-up raises body temperature and gets the skills and timing ready. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Players sweat a lot, and staying hydrated keeps them sharp. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- The warm-up at the net is for hitting and serving with the real net and ball. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Starting easy and building up prepares the body for full effort without strain. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- A few serves just before the start give servers their feel for the ball and hall. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Light throwing and swinging warm the shoulders before hard hitting. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Teams share or take turns at the net in the minutes before the first serve. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- From light movement to ball control, then hitting, then serving. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Pass, set, hit and dig, then the roles keep turning over. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)
- Pepper is the classic warm-up of pass, set and hit between two players. (Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Level I), general coaching references)

Sources: General volleyball references, FIVB (beach, snow), World ParaVolley (sitting), FIVB Coaches Manual; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered FIVB rules belong to the Rules category.

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