That depends…
When You Can’t Kick the Ball
You cannot kick a volleyball during a serve, regardless of the level of play. The FIVB Rule Book states under the serving rules that the server must contact the ball with a single hand, which eliminates the use of any other body part. This applies to both indoor and beach volleyball.
And yes — we all know the feeling of wanting to kick the ball out of frustration. But while it might seem like an easy way to release stress, it’s not a good idea. In training, it creates a poor impression among teammates; in a match, it can easily result in a yellow or even a red card. It’s simply not worth the risk.
When You Can Use Your Legs
Defense is the primary situation where using your legs is allowed — and sometimes necessary. Defense moves quickly, and there are moments when reacting with your hands is impossible. In certain situations, using your legs is the only way to keep the ball alive.
For example, if an opponent hits the ball toward the sideline and it rolls into zone 5, landing about one meter away from the defender, a quick kick may be the only way to save the play. First‑tempo (quick) attacks are the fastest actions in volleyball, so positioning and reaction time are crucial. In these cases, using your legs can be the best option.
A similar situation occurs during blocking. When a hitter spikes the ball into the block and it rolls straight down between the blocker and the net, it’s nearly impossible to reach it with your hands. A quick kick may be the only way to keep the rally going.
Another scenario is when the ball is heading toward the stands, bench, or advertising boards behind the court. Chasing the ball and kicking it backward is often the only way to keep it in play. Some of the most impressive rallies in volleyball include these leg‑saves — they make for great highlight‑reel moments.
Circle Possession Game
You may have heard of it, but not everyone has played it. Many volleyball teams use this game as a warm‑up before training or matches. It’s based on a football/soccer drill: six to ten players form a circle with two players in the middle. The outside players must keep the ball in play using a single kick, while the players in the center try to deflect it. It’s a fun, dynamic way to warm up and improve reaction speed.
Should Volleyball Players Train to Kick the Ball?
I never specifically trained to kick the ball, although I used my legs occasionally in matches. In my opinion, using your legs in volleyball is rare and doesn’t require dedicated training time. Players should focus on more important aspects of the game.
What did help me, however, was playing a lot of football/soccer as a kid. That background improved my coordination and reaction speed, which made leg‑saves feel natural when they happened.
Overall, reaction drills, defensive training, and regular six‑on‑six play will naturally develop the ability to use your legs when needed — without taking time away from more essential volleyball skills.
