New volleyball players should focus on five basic skills: serving, passing (the forearm dig), setting, attacking and blocking. Learn the ready position, how rotation works, and your role on the court, and get knee pads and indoor court shoes.
Core skills
| Skill | What it does |
|---|---|
| Serve | Starts every rally |
| Pass (bump) | First contact; controls serve receive and defence |
| Set | Second contact; puts the ball up for an attacker |
| Attack (spike) | Third contact; tries to score |
| Block | Stops attacks at the net |
Tips for beginners
- Get low in the ready position with weight forward.
- Call the ball loudly: ‘mine’ or ‘ball’.
- Use the platform of your forearms, not your hands, to pass hard balls.
- Learn rotation order early.
- Practise serving consistently before trying to serve hard.
Frequently asked questions
What equipment do I need?
Knee pads, indoor court shoes, comfortable athletic clothing and a ball for practice.
How many touches does each team get?
Three, not counting a block touch.
What position should beginners play?
Try several; coaches often rotate new players to learn all skills.
