Correct feet placement when passing a volleyball?

Question

i was taught that when passing, you step forward using the opposite foot of your spiking arm. so, say i am a right handed hitter, during a pass i would step forward with my left foot. but lately i have been hearing that it doesn't matter, so long as you're doing everything else right in the bumping process and it feels comfortable. what do you guys think?

thanks.

Answer 1

I was always taught that your outside foot should be the foot that you step with.  If you are playing left side, your left foot would be the foot that you step with.  If you are playing right side, your right foot would be the foot that you step with.  The middle also would step with the left foot.

The thinking behind that concept is that stepping with the outside foot, you will turn your upper body toward the target.  Since more teams play a 6-2 or a 5-1, the setter is to the right of the center of the court.  

With that being said, I would not care if you tie your shoelaces together as long as you pass every ball to target.  You can not be thinking of your feet when you are passing the ball.  The only time I try to change the footwork of a passer is when they are struggling.

Answer 2

In HS my coaches had always taught me to step forward (with the left foot) and keep my arms completely still when passing.  Then, when I got to college, I had a coach who totally changed the way I pass.  He taught that your feet ideally should be even, shoulder-length apart, knees slightly bent.  Also, contrary to what I had learned previously, moving or slightly swinging your arms is sometimes necessary (or even desired) in order to properly direct the ball to the setter.

The other thing my coach taught was that, as far as passing goes, "left is right and right is wrong."  What he meant was that you sould never reach to the right to pass a ball unless: 1)you play right side defense, or 2) the player to your left obviously can't get to the ball.  Statistically, players pass best when receiving the ball down their center line.  Reaching to the left to pass detracts a little from passing accurately, but not very much.  Reaching to the right to pass, however, statistically speaking leads to significantly more inaccurate passes.

Answer 3

your feet should be even(not one in front of the other) and squared to wherever your passing to. your feet should be about shoulder width apart

Answer 4

omg! im such a pro at this. i get alot of compliments on the way i position my feet. So make sure ur knees are bent so u can move your feet to the ball quiker....then when ur about to hit it...if the ball is a little to the left of u....u put ur left foot slightly in front of the right...and if its a little to the right of u..u put ur right foot slightly in front of the left...this is the right way so after u hit and .....say ur in an awkward position..u use the foot thts slightly in front to turn bak to ur position. hopethis helps!

<3Volley it up!

Answer 5

I do what you were taught and it helps me.

Answer 6

When passing the ball, the position of you feet sometimes does matter. If you're passing from the left back it would probably be better that you had you left foot in front.  That would make it easier for you to get your pass to the setter. Also you're not facing the outside of the court... you have a full view of the court. Same thing as if you're on the right side it would be better for you to place you right foot forward. Making it easier for you to get your pass to the setter. also you once again have a full view of the whole court.

Hope this helps!!

Answer 7

we were taught that the correct postion while digging a ball is feet under your hips, the left slightly forward if you are right handed, knees bent, hips up and butt down, chest down so that no one can read your shirt, and your arms in front of you not yet clasped. these will get you feet in the right postion and then when you make contact with the ball push your weight off of your right foot on to your left and kinda shrug your shoulders, don't swing your arms! this should get your feet in the right place and make sure that your shoulders are pionted to the target, and the ball should go perfectly.

Answer 8

I don't think it matters either.  As long as your body is postioned correctly to pass the ball to the righ spot. You can't always put your opposite foot out to pass because you might not have enough time.  Just make sure that your body and shoulders are square to your target, and you should be able to get the ball to the spot you want it.

I hope this helps!