Volleyball Passing Fundamentals
Introduction
- Presented by John Spura, a national champion and Olympic gold medal volleyball coach.
- Focus on fundamentals of passing and technique.
- Demonstration by Taylor Wilson, a two-time national champion at UC Irvine.
Hand Position
- Best method: Palm to Palm.
- Overlay fingertips.
- Align thumbs evenly.
- Keep palms flat and even.
- Ensure pressure on fingertips to prevent separation.
Platform Technique
- The platform: involves hands and arms.
- Rotate hands down, open arms.
- Elbows should be close or touching.
- Contact the ball with the flat part of lower forearm.
Body Position
- Maintain a neutral, comfortable stance.
- Shoulders slightly over knees, hands down.
- Avoid extreme squatting or wide arm positions.
- Face the server, not the target.
- Create an angle with shoulders towards the target.
- Drop inside shoulder to create angle.
Foot Position
- Right foot forward stance is optional.
- Body positioning and angling are more critical.
Movement and Elbow Technique
- Keep elbows locked through the passing movement.
- Maintain a steady platform; shoulders should adjust for angle.
Practice and Demonstration
- Demonstrated correction of common beginner mistakes:
- Avoid standing up or lifting the ball.
- Keep head steady, minimize unnecessary movements.
- Prevent swinging of arms; use angles.
Teaching and Learning Passing
- Best learning through simulated game scenarios.
- Encourage multitasking to mimic real game conditions.
- Example: passing and then transitioning to hitting.
Summary
- Key aspects of passing:
- Hand positioning.
- Platform and elbow technique.
- Body position and movement.
- Importance of creating angles.
- Passing is challenging; mastering fundamentals is crucial.
Note: The session focused on practical demonstrations and correcting common mistakes in passing techniques. Effective passing requires a blend of technical skill and adaptability during gameplay.
"Thanks for watching this clip. Again, I'm John Spura, we'll see you on another one."