In volleyball the dribble, or lift, is the fundamental used by a player who touches the ball quickly to favor the dunk of another player. Most good dunks are the result of a good dribble, meaning one that respects the rules of holding, and that the attacker (the player making the dunk) can predict and crush easily. This means that the lift must, above all, be constant in style. The fundamental itself is simple, but it can be difficult to master.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Reaching the Ball
Step 1. Read the defense
Before the ball is served, decide where you want to send the ball. Is one of their players less effective at blocking than the others? Is there an area of the pitch that they don't defend well? In these cases, you should pass the ball to a teammate in the right position to take advantage of these weaknesses.
During the action, try to constantly evaluate the defense, so that you always know where to pass the ball when you have the opportunity
Step 2. Get ready to move
When waiting to pass the ball, keep your weight on your right foot, ready to step with your left in the direction of the ball.
Most lifters prefer to position themselves in the corner furthest from the net to the right of the pitch and prepare for the dribble from there. You can raise from the position you prefer, but this allows you to be facing the optimal direction to pass the ball to your teammates
Step 3. Get to the ball quickly
The ball will only in rare cases be directed at you. The faster you reach the ball, the more time you will have to perform the dribble.
- To get to the ball quickly you need to be effective. This means that you should try to move in a straight line towards the ball, without taking more steps than necessary.
- You will also need to run as efficiently as possible. Many lifters make the mistake of running with their arms raised, but that would slow you down. Do not raise your arms until you are in position.
Step 4. Align your body perpendicular to your target
When you have reached the position, make sure your hips, feet and shoulders are facing directly where the ball will land, not the direction it is coming from.
A good rule of thumb is to always face the left band when you raise, so that the opposing team cannot predict where you will pass the ball
Part 2 of 3: Taking the Position
Step 1. Extend your arms above your head
You should keep your hands directly above your forehead and your elbows pointing to the sides.
Step 2. Place your hands
You should hold your hands 10-15cm above your forehead, with your fingers spread out to wrap the ball, as if someone were to place the ball in your hands.
- You should form a triangular window with thumbs and index fingers through which you can see the ball, without letting your hands touch each other.
- Try to relax your fingers just before touching the ball.
- If you want to lift the ball backward, extend your arms straight up and behind you and not in front of and directly above you.
Step 3. Place your feet
Spread your feet shoulder-width apart, with the foot closest to the net slightly in front of the other. This position rotates hips and shoulders slightly towards the pitch and helps prevent the dribble from inadvertently ending up on the other side of the net.
Step 4. Bend your knees
Before dribbling, you should bend your knees slightly and distribute your weight evenly over your feet.
- Even weight distribution allows you to quickly change the direction you are facing if necessary.
- If you want to lift backwards, bending your knees is less important. Instead, push your hips slightly forward and arch your back.
Part 3 of 3: Lift the Ball
Step 1. Decide where to pass the ball
You should already have some ideas about which player to pass the ball to, but this is your last chance to pick the right partner.
- You can create an advantage situation with a feint before passing the ball, to surprise the opposing team.
- For example, you could slightly arch your back, as if you were going to raise backwards, then at the last second raise forward, or vice versa.
- You can also turn your body as if lifting the ball towards a player, particularly on the other side of the court, and instead perform a short lift to an attacker in the opposite direction.
- After the lift, turn around and look at the destination of the ball, to give a signal to your teammates.
Step 2. Perform the dribble
You should touch the ball just above the center of the forehead, approximately at the hairline.
- Try to touch the ball with all your fingers. The larger the contact surface with the ball, the greater your control.
- Don't let the ball touch your palms. Palm contact can be considered a hold - an infraction in volleyball. If the referee becomes aware of your misconduct, he will award the point to the opposing team.
Step 3. Push up
As you touch the ball with your fingers, straighten your arms and legs as you push forward in the direction of the attacker.
- Extending the legs serves to transmit the power of the muscles to the hands. You should push with your whole body.
- Effective contact with the ball should be minimal.
- This movement is basically the same as for a back lift, but with less force generated by the knees.
Step 4. Finish the movement
At the end of the lift, you should have your arms fully extended, and you should follow the movement with your hands by straightening your wrists after the ball is released. This will help you give the ball the desired trajectory.
Advice
- Make sure you lift the ball high enough for the attacker to crush it over the net.
- When you straighten your knees, don't jump.
- Do not hold the ball and do not touch it with your palms even for a moment. You may have been called for a held-ball or accompanied-ball infringement.
- Develop a regular lift style. When the referee has seen you legally and similarly raise many times, he will pay less attention to how you use your hands. Rises that are always different or that seem clumsy or uncertain attract the referee's attention more.
- This fundamental takes practice and will likely be difficult in the beginning. There are numerous practice exercises, such as lifting the ball against a wall, or dribbling with a partner.
- Improving your footwork is important to becoming a good setter. You won't need a ball for these workouts; just put some music in the living room.
Warnings
- Don't touch the ball too hard or you could injure your fingers or hands.
- While your hands shouldn't touch during a dribble, if you keep your hands too far apart you could get a ball to the face. You should keep your thumbs and index fingers as close together as possible without letting them touch.
- When you complete the movement, don't snap your wrists. This can cause problems in the hands and wrists themselves.
