Volleyball Skills

Volleyball skills for primary children focus on building coordination and teamwork. The dig is a defensive skill where players use their forearms to pass a low ball back into play. The set is an overhead skill used to gently push the ball into the air. The underarm serve is a beginner-friendly way to start the game, using a controlled swing of the arm to send the ball over the net. Our volleyball activities can be adapted to suit the age and ability of your participants. 

Teaching cues

Underarm Serve 

  1. Stand: with feet in a stride position, weight on your back foot. 
  2. Hold the Ball: in your non-dominant hand in front of your body, below waist height. 
  3. Swing: your striking arm back and forward like a pendulum. 
  4. Strike: the ball with the flat part of your fist and palm (open hand). 
  5. Contact: the ball while it is in the air, not resting on your hand. 
  6. Follow Through: extend your arm forward in the direction of your target.  

Dig

  1. Get Low: Bend your knees and stay balanced, ready to move.
  2. Hands Together: Make a "platform" by holding your hands together.
  3. Straight Arms: Keep your arms straight and angled up slightly.
  4. Move to the Ball: Shuffle your feet to get under the ball.
  5. Hit with Forearms: Let the ball hit your forearms and gently push it up into the air. 

Set

  1. Get Ready: Stand with your hands up near your forehead.
  2. Make a Triangle: Shape your thumbs and fingers into a triangle.
  3. Under the Ball: Move so the ball is right above your head.
  4. Push Up: Use your fingers to gently push the ball high in the air.
  5. Point to Target: Finish with your arms stretched out and fingers pointing where the ball should go. 
Teaching strategies

Start with simple, slow movements for each skill and break it down. 

Dig and Set

  • Use larger, softer balls to build confidence. 
  • Encourage a low, athletic stance.
  • For the dig, teach arm positioning (straight arms and forearms). 
  • For the set, practice forming the “W” shape with fingers.

Underarm Serve 

  • Practice holding and swinging the ball. 
  • Focus on a balanced stance (knees slightly bent and arms ready for action) and having the correct foot forward. 
  • Focus on the swing and follow-through. 

Partner Drills

  • Use simple partner drills where children practice serving to each other, passing with a dig, and setting back and forth. 
  • Keep it fun with light, controlled movements to focus on technique. 
  • Play games like Sitting Volleyball or Volleyball Catch

  • Introduce game play and practice a combination of volleyball skills with Mini Volleyball
  • Practice serving to specific spots or targets.
  • Practice reacting to unpredictable ball movements and selecting the appropriate skill to return the ball. 
Common errors

Underarm Serve

  • Arm not swinging smoothly.
  • Hitting the ball with the wrong part of the hand.

Dig

  • Bending too much at the waist, not knees.
  • Arms to bent - not keeping the arms straight.
  • Taking the eyes off the ball.

Set

  • Hands too high or low. 
  • Pushing with palms instead of fingers.
  • Not getting under the ball in time. 

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