About Forearm Passing in Volleyball

Forearm passing is a basic skill in volleyball that is called a "pass" when you receive a serve and a "dig" when you deal with an opponent's spike or another attack. Use this technique when the ball is below your head, otherwise you should use an overhead set.

  1. Expert Insight

    • Assume the ready position before each point or when the other team prepares another attack. Keep your feet shoulder-distance apart with the knees flexed and one leg slightly ahead of the other. You should feel comfortable in this stance, with the weight resting on the balls of your feet. Now you'll be ready to spring into action.

    Considerations

    • Before you can work on passing, you need to concentrate on actually reaching the ball. To achieve optimal results, get to your spot before the ball does. As you move, do not cross your feet or let your head bounce.

    Features

    • To produce a technically sound forearm pass, bring your arms together to create a platform off of which the ball rebounds. Keep arms straight and away from the body at a 90-degree angle. Then extend your legs from the flexed position and move arms up from the shoulders. Always make contact with the ball on your forearms, not the hands, just above the wrist. Finish off the pass with your hands facing the direction you want the ball to go.

    Warning

    • There are many errors common to errant forearm passes. These errors can include no movement to the ball, bent elbows, too much arm swing, hands apart when contacting the ball and the ball hitting on the hands instead of the forearms.

    History

    • William Morgan created the first game of volleyball in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on February 9, 1895. Morgan, a YMCA director, took aspects from both handball and tennis to make the rules for what he called Mintonette. When Alfred Halstead observed the "volleying" nature of the game the following year, it became known as volleyball.