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.
Underarm Serve
- Stand: with feet in a stride position, weight on your back foot.
- Hold the Ball: in your non-dominant hand in front of your body, below waist height.
- Swing: your striking arm back and forward like a pendulum.
- Strike: the ball with the flat part of your fist and palm (open hand).
- Contact: the ball while it is in the air, not resting on your hand.
- Follow Through: extend your arm forward in the direction of your target.
Dig
- Get Low: Bend your knees and stay balanced, ready to move.
- Hands Together: Make a "platform" by holding your hands together.
- Straight Arms: Keep your arms straight and angled up slightly.
- Move to the Ball: Shuffle your feet to get under the ball.
- Hit with Forearms: Let the ball hit your forearms and gently push it up into the air.
Set
- Get Ready: Stand with your hands up near your forehead.
- Make a Triangle: Shape your thumbs and fingers into a triangle.
- Under the Ball: Move so the ball is right above your head.
- Push Up: Use your fingers to gently push the ball high in the air.
- Point to Target: Finish with your arms stretched out and fingers pointing where the ball should go.
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.
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.