Volleyball Tips
Techniques for Playing Good Defense

Volleyball tips for making tough plays
Often times during competition players get caught out of position.

Here are a few tips for making defensive plays on balls that are hit deeper than you are ready for and balls tipped short over the block.

Volleyball Playing Tip for a Short Ball

J-Ball
A j-ball is a term for making a defensive play.

The j-ball technique is usually used on balls that are placed short over the net.

Often a run through is done on balls that are tipped short over the net.

The player then performs a "J" with the arms to get the ball up.

Volleyball tips for defense j ball passing

Face Dig
The face dig is used when players don't have enough time to react and dig with their forearms. All players should practice digging balls hit to their face to avoid the dreaded "six pack".

Pancake
A player may try to pancake a ball that falls in front of them. A pancake is made by a player diving in the air, extending their body out with the hand sliding on the ground to intercept the ball that is going to hit the floor.

Volleyball Tips for Playing a Deep Ball

Tomahawk
The tomahawk is a method for passing a volleyball overhead. The tomahawk is not for hard driven balls. The tomahawk is done by putting the hands together, bending the elbows, and making contact with the volleyball overhead.

Camel Poke
The one handed poke can be a real effective way to pass deep balls or balls that are almost out of reach. Contact with the ball should be made as the arm is fully extended. A fully extended arm allows for a more solid ball contact that get's a good bounce off the knuckles. Once developed, this skill can be a great asset.

Overhead Pass
Since double contact is legal on the first team contact (in most organizations), taking the ball with your hands is usually the best option when getting caught in bad position to pass.

If you enjoyed these tips and would like to keep it close to you at any time, just save this pin to your Pinterest Volleyball Training Board.