The main problem of the individual passer’s tactics is to defeat the opposing server and provide perfect reception. Today in the volleyball serve reception is viewed as an ideal, safe, unsafe, poor, or as an error.

Ideal service reception – after receiving service, setter can set a fast attack (he is not moved from his position and can perform jump set of spike).

Safe serve reception – after receiving service setter can perform set, but not pre-prepared combination.

Uncertain service reception – after receiving service the ball did not come up near setter (setter has to make more steps to get to the ball and can’t organize a planned attack).

Poor reception service – the ball was transferred to the opposing team’s field.

Error – points to the opponent.

Analysis of individual passer tactics have set aside four sequences in receiving services.

1. Selecting a position to receive – passer has to see opposite server from his position, especially if your opponent is trying to hide him. Inability to see the server brings passer  in a difficult position.

2. Arrival in position to receive – taking a passing platform, setting body in the direction of the ball flight.

3. Performing techniques serve reception in a situation of contact with the ball.

4. Completion of the receiving services and the transition to a new action.

Using leg drive

When receiv­ing a hard-driven serve, your passing platform should remain stable.

The natural rebound of the ball from your arms will provide plenty of force.

For a softer serve, you need to use some leg drive when the forearms contact the ball (take a look at the picture). Imagine you are sitting on the edge of a chair as you get into proper passing position.

As you contact the ball use just enough power in your legs to stand up.

Receiving serve with the hands

With the rules change more and more players receive serve with their hands. The cur­rent rule allows a double contact on any first team contact, including the use of the hands. The previous rule allowed double contact of any first team con­tact with the exception of hand contact. This change caused that more and more players receive serve with their hands.

To receive serve with your hands, position your arms above your shoul­ders. Move to the ball just prior to con­tact with a serve to avoid a held ball. Contact with the ball should be only accomplished only with the finger pads.

Keep in mind that the rules of vol­leyball allow a double contact, not a lifted or held ball.

The most common errors

A common error in­experienced players commit is referred to as praying. Prior to contact, the player brings the joined hands up near the fore­head (praying position), then  drops the arms near waist level to contact the ball. Players are often unaware that they make this mistake and find it hard to correct. To correct this ask from your players to keep their arms extended and if they can’t bend, they won’t develop the habit of praying before the pass.

If necessary, the player can provide additional arm or leg movement to push the ball further. Often, however, the momentum from a hard serve or volley alone is sufficient to reach the target without any additional movements from the player. A player only needs to form a strong platform and let the ball rebound. A player’s position, posture and stance along with the arm angle contribute to the accuracy and effectiveness of the pass.

Posture

Begin with a stable and balanced posture with your arms slightly extended, with your hands unclasped. Your knees should be slightly bent and you need to be ready to move quickly to the serve once it has been made. Watch the ball at all times and try to anticipate where the ball might go based on the actions of the server.

Passing Platform

A good platform requires both arms to be aligned since uneven arms will make the ball bounce off at an angle making it extremely difficult to control. A good platform starts with a good hand clasp.

There are several ways to form a good volleyball passing clasp, two common clasps are the “fist wrap” and the “finger clasp”. In this article we will only discuss the fist wrap since it is easier for beginners to learn and use.

To form the “fist wrap”, form a fist with one hand and then wrap the second hand around the fist with the lower palms close together. Keep the wrap relaxed but firm to prevent the hands from separating during ball contact. Slightly turn the forearms outwards to present a flat and hard contact surface for the ball to land on.

Keep your arms straight and about 30 to 40 degrees from the vertical. This angle provides the best trajectory. The ball should move high enough and forward enough for the setter to reach and make the set.

The Pass

Using your legs to stabilize yourself, keep your body upright and your arms extended at the required angle, let the ball rebound off the passing platform. The ball should land just above your wrists. If the ball lands on the wrists or the hands, it will bounce off unpredictably.

If you need to get additional height or distance, you can push slightly upwards with your legs. Avoid swinging your arms if you want to have greater control over your pass.

To get the ball to travel in your desired direction, just tilt your arms at the shoulders in the direction of the target. Your timing of the tilt is important since tilting too early or late will result in the ball not landing evenly on both arms. This of course makes the ball fly to the left or the right.