Volleyball is one of the most popular sports among young girls and women in the United States. The sport is widely played at the youth, high school and collegiate levels, with some players also advancing to international and professional levels of competition. Volleyball requires the movement of the ball by hitting it with the hands---grabbing or holding the ball is not permitted, because the ball must remain in constant motion. There are several basic skills used to make contact with the volleyball, depending on the situation.
Serving
Serving a volleyball is the first action that sets the ball into play. Most serves, with the exception of players in college and professional volleyball, begin with what is called a float serve. To start this serve, place the foot opposite your hitting arm in the direction you want to hit toward. Put your weight on the foot underneath your hitting arm, and hold the ball in your opposite hand. Bend the knees, then bring your hitting arm back behind you and up while the other hand starts to toss the ball into the air. The hitting arm should be held straight and be angled up and slightly away from the body behind you. Step slightly forward with your targeting foot and make contact between your hitting arm's wrist and the ball---the hand should be balled into a fist, and the wrist should not bend upon contact. Follow through slightly, and resist rotating the body at the end of your serve.
Setting
Setting lofts the ball into the air and helps gain control of the ball for the hitter to strike. To set, position yourself underneath the volleyball while it is in the air---your feet should be shoulder-width apart. Raise your arms above your head, with the fingers of both hands spread and pointed in toward the middle, creating a cradle for the volleyball. Your hands should not be touching, but the thumb and index fingers should form a triangle. Wait until the ball comes within reach, then extend up from your knees and elbows, flicking your fingers upward to pop the ball into the air for a hitter to attack.
Hitting and Spiking
When a ball is set into the air, it is often time for a hitter to come in and hit or spike the ball, depending on the angle---spikes are good when the hitter is close to the net and has an opportunity to strike the ground on the other side of the net, otherwise a hit is in order. To hit or spike, take two steps in the direction of the ball and jump up toward the ball with a two-foot jump. As you jump, swing both of your arms forward toward the ball, bringing your hitting arm behind the ball. Strike the ball with your closed hand, snapping the wrist to create downward rotation.
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