What Is the Grip Used for a Bump Pass?

The bump pass, also called the forearm pass, is used in volleyball. It is done by connecting both hands and making a platform with your forearms to connect with the ball. The bump pass has a variety of hand grips that can be used. All of them can be effective if used correctly. You must experiment with each grip before deciding which grip is most comfortable and effective for you.

  1. Clenched Fist Clasp

    • Make a fist with one of your hands; it does not matter which hand you choose. Wrap your other hand around the closed fist, so that your thumbs are next to each other and parallel. Your thumbs should be facing up. Also, the meaty part of your palms should be together.

    Cupped Finger Clasp

    • Choose one of your hands --- it does not matter which --- and turn it over so that your palms are facing up. Take your other hand and place it on top of your original hand; you should have the palms of that hand facing up as well. Next, close your hands together so that your thumbs can be parallel to each other and facing up. To close your hands together, you will need to allow your fingers to curl inside the other hand.

    Thumb Palm Clasp

    • Choose one of your hands and turn it over so that your palms are facing up. Take your other hand, with its palm up, and place it on top of your original hand. Then, take the thumb of your hand that is closest to the floor and place it on top of your other hand. The thumb of your hand that is on top can just rest against its hand. With this grip, both palms are kept open and the top hand should be on top of the bottom hand so that you can make a proper platform with your forearms. Thus, your top hand will be at an angle on top of the bottom hand.

    Interlocked Finger Clasp

    • Interlock the fingers of both hands and put the meaty part of your palms together. Then, put your thumbs together (they should be parallel). This grip takes the longest to form, and often you will not have much time to react to a volleyball. Also, using this grip can put your fingers at greater risk of being broken.