Ten Steps On How To Bump A Volleyball To Maximize Your Serve Receive

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2. How To Play Volleyball
3. How To Bump A Ball

How to Bump a Volleyball: 10 Steps For A Perfect Serve Receive Pass

Learn how to bump a volleyball so that you get the ball to your setter consistently by reading the action and moving quickly to where you think the ball will be

How to bump a volleyball: The pass is the first contact a player makes when their team is receiving the serve of the opposing team.

When you learn how to bump a volleyball, you are learning how to transfer the ball from one player to another or over the net

• without letting the ball come to a complete stop while clasping both hands together at the wrists and contacting the ball above your wrists and below your elbows on your forearms 

When you learn how to bump a volleyball, you are learning how to transfer the ball from one player to another or over the net without letting the ball come to a complete stop while clasping both hands together at the wrists and contacting the ball above your wrists and below your elbows on your forearms

Whether you call it the "volleyball bump", the "serve receive", the "underhand pass" or the forearm pass every player needs to master the art of controlling the ball. 

To control the ball and deliver it to your intended target consistently (most often this is to your setter) you need to improve the accuracy of your forearm pass.

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Learn How To Bump A Volleyball In Ten Steps

Here are my 10 volleyball tips you can use to maximize your serve receive and passing skills. 

1. Keep your feet shoulder - width apart, with your legs slightly bent.

Having your right foot 1-2 inches in front of the left lets you move quickly in any direction. 

Prep Passing Position: Before the whistle and while you're in serve receive you should watch the server and talk to teammates about passing responsibilities. Have your hands on knees. (photo April Chapple) After the whistle, once the server tosses the ball take your hands off knees and be ready to move quickly to where you think the ball will land in your court. (photo April Chapple) Once you beat the ball to where you thinks its going to land then quickly put wrists together with thumbs pointing to the ground to create your platform. (photo April Chapple)

  Coach April Chapple's Volleyball Passing Tips For Youth Volleyball Players

MY PASSING EBOOK QUICKLY HELPS YOU IMPROVE YOUR PASSING SKILLS. Learn how to perform one of the most important skills you need to know to gain more playing time on the court! Learn Passing Secrets!

How To Bump A VolleyballHow Do You Create Your Platform?

2. Create your platform by wrapping your left hand around your right fist, with your thumbs pointing straight down to the ground.

This positions your elbows and arms in a straight platform.

3. Contact the ball on your forearms.

Check that your thumbs are always pointing to the ground, which helps you maintain the straight platform needed to pass the ball. 

Passing in Volleyball: When Passing Face The Net, Drop The Inside Shoulder and Angle Your Platform

4. Keep your elbows straight while in serve receive.

Straight elbows maintain a wider platform, giving you maximum control of the ball. 

How to bump a volleyball: Keep your elbows straight by pointing your thumbs to the ground when you bump a volleyball. (photo April Chapple)

5. Press both wrists together when passing, without breaking them apart no matter how hard or easy the serve.

Make ball contact above the wrists and below the elbows. Contacting the ball on your wrists won't allow you to control the ball. 

6. Keep both arms together when you learn how to bump a volleyball.

Keeping them together instead of breaking them apart and passing with one arm helps guide the ball better to the target.

7. Square your shoulders to the target.

Face your body to the net and angle your platform towards the target before contacting the ball. This eliminates adjusting your arms once making contact with the ball. 

8. Remember your goal is to keep from swinging your arms during the serve receive.

Most serves in high school, club or college are fast enough so very little additional arm movement is needed for the ball to reach the target. 

Don't swing your arms when you pass the ball. Keeping your platform too close to your body forces you to swing. Instead keep your platform a ball's distance away from your body.  

9. Finish your pass with your serve receive platform below your shoulders not above your head.

This allows you to control the ball when keeping your arms and shoulders within your body range. 

10. Move your feet first to position yourself behind the ball as much as possible.

Get your body behind the ball instead of reaching with your arms. "If you've heard your coach say "pass with your feet first"" they mean to let your feet not your arms be first in guiding you in serve receive. 

Beat the ball to where you think its going to land in your court and get there before the ball does instead of timing the ball and getting to the spot at the same time.

You need to learn how to bump a volleyball in order to make your freshman, JV or high school varsity team and it's important for you to learn how to move quickly to get to the ball. 

Are you struggling with passing consistency or know someone who is?

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Proud of my starting senior libero Athena Zhen who at the beginning of her last club season was undecided on going to play volleyball in college and restored her love for the game and hopes in playing in college by the end of our 2024-2025 season.

Athena trained with me all summer of 2025 to prep for her freshman season at Molloy University.

Proud of my starting senior libero Athena Zhen who at the beginning of her last club season was undecided on going to play volleyball in college and restored her love for the game and hopes in playing in college by the end of our 2024-2025 season. (photo serve receive with Athena Zhen)

Frequently Asked Questions about the Volleyball Forearm Pass

The forearm pass, also known as a bump or pass, is a fundamental skill in volleyball used to receive an opponent's serve or pass the ball to a teammate. It involves using the forearms to control and direct the ball to the desired target.

Q: What is a forearm pass in volleyball?

A: The forearm pass, also known as a bump or pass, is a fundamental skill in volleyball used to receive an opponent's serve or pass the ball to a teammate.

It involves using the forearms to control and direct the ball to the desired target.

I like to work on this 3 person "Dodgeball" drill where the person in the middle has to choose which side to get their midsection out of the way of the oncoming ball that's being tossed at their chest before they present their passing platform with an angled shoulder positioned towards the target. 

Q: How do I improve my forearm pass in volleyball?

A: Here are some tips to improve your forearm pass:

1. Keep your elbows straight to create a flat platform.

2. Track the ball from the server's hands to anticipate its path.

3. Keep your arms together when contacting the ball.

4. Keep both feet on the ground for better stability.

5. Quickly position yourself behind the ball with proper footwork.

Q: How important is forearm pass in volleyball?

A: The forearm pass is an essential skill in volleyball as it is often the first contact when receiving the opponent's serve.

A good forearm pass sets up the team's offensive play, allowing for better control and accuracy in setting up attacks. It is crucial for maintaining ball control and initiating successful plays.

Q: What equipment can help improve forearm passing?

A: Volleyball forearm passing sleeves are popular accessories used by players to protect their wrists, forearms, and elbows during passing and digging.

Brands like Mizuno and Nike offer volleyball passing sleeves (ad) that can enhance comfort and support while practicing or playing.

Q: Can I practice forearm passing on my own?

A: Yes, you can practice forearm passing on your own. You can perform passing drills against a wall, focusing on technique and accuracy.

Another option is to recruit a partner to practice passing back and forth, simulating game-like situations. Consistent practice and repetition will help improve your forearm passing skills.

Here are some volleyball drills for youth that you can do at home or in practice with a friend or teammate you are working out with at home or on their own or even during an open gym at your school.

Watch as Kenny and Jaylen work on controlling the ball to a consistent spot on the wall and then control the ball to themselves, then finally they control the ball to each other...repeatedly. 

Q: Are there any specific drills I can do to improve my forearm passing?

A: Yes, here are a few drills you can try:

1. Wall Passing Drill:

Stand facing a wall and practice passing the ball against it. This helps improve technique and control.

2. Triangle Drill:

Set up three cones in a triangle shape and practice moving quickly between them while passing a ball. This improves footwork and positioning.

3. Pass and Move:

Set up a designated area and practice passing the ball with a partner while moving around. This simulates game-like movement and improves passing accuracy under different conditions.

My tips on How to do wall passing drills...

Volleyball wall passing and wall setting drills can be done daily at home with a goal of at least 250 - 500 reps of various drills to keep your

• passing or setting technique, 
• angled platform work, 
• ball contacting skills and 
• control of the ball.....extremely sharp!

Pick a brick, a specific spot on the wall or mark a big X in chalk on a wall or use a basketball net or backboard ...no matter what you decide to use as your target... anybody walking by.... should be able to see exactly where the spot is that you are aiming for EVERY...single....time .⁠

Do 3 to 5 sets of 100... five feet from the wall ....then side step two feet and repeat. Then step back and repeat.⁠

Complete 300 to 500 passing repetitions

Q: What should I do if I struggle with forearm passing accuracy?

A: To improve your forearm passing accuracy, focus on the following:

1. Proper hand contact:

Make sure to contact the ball with the forearms, slightly above the wrists, creating a solid platform.

2. Eye on the ball:

Keep your eyes on the ball as you pass it, maintaining visual contact throughout the entire process.

3. Controlled body position:

Maintain a balanced and athletic stance with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and weight forward.

Q: How can I generate more power in my forearm pass?

A: To generate more power in your forearm pass, consider the following techniques:

1. Use your legs:

Engage the muscles in your legs and core to generate power from the ground up. Bend your knees and use a slight upward thrust to add strength to your pass.

2. Follow-through:

After making contact with the ball, continue your arm extension forward and slightly upward. This follow-through motion adds power and accuracy to your pass.

3. Timing and anticipation:

Anticipate the ball's trajectory and aim to meet it at the highest point of its arc for maximum power.

Q: What should I do if the ball is coming at me too fast for a forearm pass?

A: If the ball is coming at you too fast for a forearm pass, you can use an alternative technique called the overhead pass or "volley." In this method, you use your fingertips to guide the ball, creating a controlled trajectory. However, mastering forearm passing should still be a priority, as it is the most effective and commonly used pass in volleyball.

If the ball is coming at you too fast for a forearm pass, you can use an alternative technique called the overhead pass or "volley." In this method, you use your fingertips to guide the ball, creating a controlled trajectory.

Q: How can I develop good forearm pass footwork?

A: To develop good footwork for forearm passing, try the following:

1. Quick first step:

React quickly as soon as you see the server make contact with the ball. Take a small, explosive step towards the anticipated ball trajectory.

2. Shuffle and adjust:

Maintain proper balance and shuffle your feet to adjust your position as needed. This allows you to align yourself behind the ball and maintain stability.

3. Practice positioning drills:

Set up cones or markers on the court to simulate different serve placements. Practice moving quickly and efficiently to each marker, assuming the correct forearm pass position behind it.

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I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 

How To Play Volleyball: Where Do You Go From Here?

Your three options are: 

1. You can learn more about Volleyball Passing by visiting the Related Links below.  
2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page   Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
3. Or visit the pages in the How to Play Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page to get started. 
4. Before leaving this page Say "Hi" to  Ms. Resee the Kangaroo, wearing the #11 jersey below. She's a left side hitter with precision passing and a member of the VolleyBragSwag All Beast Third team. 

Say "Hi" to Ms. Resee the Kangaroo, wearing the #11 jersey below. She's a left side hitter with precision passing and a member of the VolleyBragSwag All Beast Third team.

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If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.

Struggling with passing consistency?

I help talented passers tired of getting pulled from games because of inconsistent serve receive skills  BUILD passing confidence without expensive private lessons using the same 3-step system that's helped dozens of my athletes get recruited.

Download my eBook for $17.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.