5 Volleyball Passing Tips to Elevate Your Game

Here are 5 volleyball passing tips (coming from a professional libero) that will 100% make you a better player. Passing is one of the most basic techniques in the sport and the key to success for every volleyball team. A team cannot run its offense if it cannot pass the ball — without passing, there is no offense.

1. Develop a Strong, Stable Platform

Developing a clean platform is the first step in making a great pass. When a player creates a clean platform, they establish a solid base for the ball to rebound off. To develop a clean platform, the player’s arms should be straight, locked, and connected at the elbows. This creates a flat surface for the ball to rebound from.

Key Points:

• The player should keep their elbows straight.
• The platform should be angled toward the target (the spot where the player wants the ball to land).
• The player should not swing their arms; the ball should rebound naturally off the platform.

When a player develops a stable platform, they will be able to pass the ball consistently and accurately.

2. Move Your Feet Before Moving Your Arms

Most of the time, players reach out with their arms to make a pass instead of taking a few quick adjustment steps. A player who positions themselves properly behind the ball before contact has a much better chance of making a good pass. In situations like this, volleyball shoes with good traction can make a noticeable difference.

Focus On:

• Staying low and ready
• Taking small adjustment steps
• Getting your hips behind the ball

If the player’s feet are positioned correctly, the platform will take care of itself.

3. Keep Your Shoulders Relaxed and Angled Forward

The upper body plays a major role in directing the ball during a pass. Players should lean slightly forward in their passing stance to help absorb the ball and guide it to the setter.

Remember:

• The shoulders should angle forward, not upward.
• The chest should be positioned above the knees.
• The player’s weight should be distributed on the balls of their feet.

When these three elements work together, a player can maintain balance and control — especially when dealing with a fast-moving serve.

4. Use Angles — Not a Swing

In volleyball, angles determine how far and where the ball travels. Instead of swinging their arms, a player should use the angle of their platform to guide the ball back to the setter.

Tips on Technique:

• Point your platform in the direction you want the ball to go.
• Keep your arms still at contact.
• Use your legs to provide lift when needed.

The less a player moves their arms, the more consistent their passes will be.

5. Read the Server and Predict Where the Ball Will Go

Elite passers don’t simply react to the ball — they anticipate it. By paying attention to the server’s body position, toss, and contact point, a player can predict where the ball is likely to go.

Look For:

• The direction of the server’s shoulders
• The height and spin of the toss

How to pass in volleyball? (pro level)? For a lateral float serve, use your platform angle to guide the ball since you won’t always be able to get directly behind it. For a topspin serve, try to move your body in front of the ball and absorb the contact to control it.

The sooner a player can read the serve, the easier the pass will be.

Bonus Volleyball Passing Tips

• Communicate. Calling out the seam early helps eliminate confusion.
• Stay patient. Building strong passing technique takes time and repetition.
• Train with different servers. The more serve variations a player sees, the better they become.
• Film yourself passing. Video makes small posture issues easy to spot.

You can’t run an effective offense without a good first touch, no matter how strong you are as a hitter or setter. When you master your body positioning, improve your movement, control your upper‑body posture, and learn to read the serve, you become a more confident and consistent passer. Passing consistency comes from repetition — and every time you repeat proper technique, you take one step closer to elite‑level ball control.

FAQ

Urban Toman

Professional Volleyball Player from Slovenia, Bronze Medalist at the 2023 CEV European Championship, and Founder/Lead Writer of VolleyGuide. Learn more about my career on my Wikipedia page.