Smack-smack-smack ... pause ... smack-smack-smack ... that's the steady rhythm of the hits in volleyball: hypnotic, coordinated and dazzling at the college level and above. The rhythm continues until a block or spike interrupts the pattern and wins the rally. Unlike the unpredictable and nearly unlimited chains of passes in soccer or basketball, volleyball allows a maximum of only three hits per team before the ball must be returned over the net. Four hits is considered a fault and results in a loss of the rally.
Forearm Pass
A player in the back row typically receives a serve using the forearm pass. This hit requires you to assume a ready position with your feet shoulder width apart, knees bent, head in front of the shoulders and looking up. The Federation Internationale de Volleyball, the sport's governing body, recommends watching the incoming ball with focus, observing its speed and path. Prepare for the ball's arrival by extending both arms, forearms up, to deflect the ball to your target. Clasp your hands together, thumbs parallel, and contact the ball with your closely spaced forearms about four inches above the wrists.
Set
The player who makes the forearm pass places the ball so the setter can set the ball in the middle segment of the rally. As a setter, you check the position of your potential spikers and anticipate the path of the ball, FIVB states. Move right under the ball and raise your hands above your face, cupping them into a ball shape, for the set, also called a face pass. Spread your fingers wide and contact the ball, pushing it into the air as you transfer your weight from your back to your front foot.
Attack
Here comes the fun, stylish part of the rally -- the attack or spike. You watch the ball as lofted by the setter and make your approach, accelerating toward your spot. Take a long final stride, pull both arms backward and bend your knees and hips. Explosively take to the air, both arms extended. Cock the elbow of your hitting arm and pull this arm behind your shoulder. Contact the ball in front of your shoulder, whipping your arm forward and down.
Expert Insight
You can polish your ability in hitting by troubleshooting common errors. If you can't control where your forearm passes go, watch the ball all the way to your arms and avoid letting it hit your thumbs, recommends the Department of Exercise Sciences at Brigham Young University. If your sets spin, get your feet set before the ball arrives and face your target. Control your attacks, keeping them from going out of bounds, by hitting down on top of the ball if you can sky above the net or hitting it less hard if you need to contact the ball from lower than the net level.
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