Learn 10 common volleyball mistakes and how to fix them. Improve your passing, serving, setting, footwork, communication, and overall game.
10 Common Volleyball Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Volleyball is an exciting sport that requires teamwork, coordination, communication, and consistent practice. However, beginners often make small mistakes that prevent them from improving their performance on the court.
Whether you are learning volleyball at school, playing recreational games, or training to become a better player, understanding these mistakes can help you develop stronger fundamentals. If you are completely new to the sport, start by learning the volleyball basics for beginners before working on advanced techniques.
The good news is that most beginner mistakes are easy to correct with the right techniques and regular practice.
In this guide, we will explore 10 common volleyball mistakes and how to fix them, including problems with passing, serving, setting, hitting, footwork, positioning, and communication.
Let’s get started!
1. Using Incorrect Passing Technique
One of the most common volleyball mistakes beginners make is using incorrect passing technique.
Some players swing their arms too much, bend their elbows, or allow the ball to hit their wrists instead of their forearms. These mistakes make it difficult to control the ball.
How to fix it:
- Keep your arms straight and together.
- Place one hand inside the other and lock your thumbs together.
- Keep your elbows extended.
- Create a flat platform with your forearms.
- Bend your knees and maintain a balanced position.
- Use your legs to help control the direction of the ball.
Practice drill: Ask a teammate to toss the ball toward you. Practice passing it toward a specific target for 5–10 minutes. Regular practice is essential for improving your technique. Check out our beginner volleyball training guides for more helpful tips.
Beginner tip: Focus on controlling the ball rather than hitting it with maximum power.
2. Serving the Ball with Poor Technique
Serving mistakes are another major problem for beginners. Players often hit the ball too hard, toss it incorrectly, or make poor contact.
A serve that goes into the net or outside the court gives the opposing team an easy point.
How to fix it:
- Start with a comfortable and balanced stance.
- Hold the ball steadily in front of your body.
- Focus on consistent ball contact.
- Keep your eyes on the ball.
- Follow through toward your target.
- Practice accuracy before increasing power.
Practice drill: Choose a target area on the opposite court and attempt 20 controlled serves. Record how many land inside your target.
Beginner tip: A consistent, accurate serve is more valuable than a powerful serve that frequently misses.
3. Incorrect Setting Technique
Setting is an essential volleyball skill because it helps create attacking opportunities for teammates.
Beginners often make mistakes such as holding the ball too long, using their palms instead of their fingers, or positioning their hands incorrectly.
How to fix it:
- Position your hands above your forehead.
- Spread your fingers naturally.
- Create a comfortable triangular window with your thumbs and index fingers.
- Contact the ball using your fingertips.
- Bend your knees before setting.
- Extend your arms and legs together to send the ball toward your target.
Practice drill: Stand close to a wall and perform 30–50 controlled sets. Focus on consistent contact and ball height.
Beginner tip: Avoid catching or carrying the ball. Develop a quick, controlled release.
4. Poor Footwork and Body Positioning
Many beginners focus only on their arms and hands while forgetting that good volleyball technique starts with proper footwork.
Standing upright, keeping your feet too close together, or moving too slowly can make it difficult to reach the ball.
How to fix it:
- Keep your feet approximately shoulder-width apart.
- Bend your knees slightly.
- Lean forward with your weight balanced.
- Stay on the balls of your feet.
- Move your feet before making contact with the ball.
- Return to a ready position after every play.
Practice drill: Perform side-to-side shuffles for 30 seconds, rest, and repeat 3–5 times.
Beginner tip: Always be ready to move. Good positioning makes passing, digging, and defending much easier.
5. Not Communicating with Teammates
Volleyball is a team sport, but many beginners forget to communicate during rallies.
When two players go for the same ball or everyone assumes someone else will receive it, the team can easily lose points.
How to fix it:
- Call “Mine!” when you are taking the ball.
- Say “Help!” when you need assistance.
- Communicate before serving.
- Let teammates know when the ball is going out.
- Encourage teammates after mistakes.
- Use clear and confident communication.
Practice drill: Play a passing game where every player must call the ball before touching it.
Beginner tip: Good communication builds confidence and prevents unnecessary collisions.
6. Hitting the Ball Too Hard
Many beginner attackers believe that hitting harder always leads to better results.
However, hitting with maximum power without proper timing and technique often sends the ball into the net or out of bounds.
How to fix it:
- Focus on correct approach footwork.
- Jump at the right time.
- Keep your eyes on the ball.
- Contact the ball at the highest comfortable point.
- Aim for open spaces on the opponent’s court.
- Develop control before increasing power.
Practice drill: Practice hitting from an easy toss. Aim for different target zones instead of focusing only on power.
Beginner tip: Smart placement and consistent contact can be more effective than hitting as hard as possible.
7. Forgetting to Return to the Ready Position
Some beginners relax immediately after passing, serving, or attacking. This makes it difficult to respond quickly to the next play.
Volleyball requires players to stay active throughout every rally.
How to fix it:
- Return to your defensive position after every action.
- Keep your knees slightly bent.
- Watch the ball and opposing players.
- Stay alert during transitions.
- Be prepared to move in any direction.
Practice drill: Perform a continuous passing drill where you must return to your ready position after every pass.
Beginner tip: Never assume the play is over until the referee blows the whistle.
8. Poor Court Positioning and Rotation
Understanding court positioning and rotation is essential for playing volleyball correctly.
Beginners sometimes stand in the wrong positions, forget their rotational order, or misunderstand their responsibilities during a rally.
In standard indoor volleyball, teams have six players on the court. When the receiving team wins a rally and gains the right to serve, its players rotate one position clockwise.
How to fix it:
- Learn the six court positions.
- Understand the rotational order.
- Practice moving clockwise after winning the right to serve.
- Know your responsibilities in the front row and back row.
- Communicate with teammates before each serve.
Practice drill: Place six players on the court and practice rotating through all six positions without using a ball.
Beginner tip: Learn the basic rotation system before focusing on advanced offensive strategies.
9. Watching the Ball Instead of Reading the Opponent
Beginners often focus only on the ball instead of observing the opposing team’s movements.
Reading the opponent can help you anticipate where the ball might go and prepare for defensive plays.
How to fix it:
- Watch the opposing setter and attacker.
- Observe the hitter’s approach and body position.
- Pay attention to the attacker’s shoulder and hitting direction.
- Adjust your defensive position.
- Stay balanced and ready to react.
Practice drill: Have a teammate simulate different attacking directions. Practice moving into the correct defensive position before the ball is hit.
Beginner tip: Good defense starts before the opponent makes contact with the ball.
10. Not Practicing Consistently
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is practicing only when they have a match or team training session.
Volleyball skills require repetition. Without regular practice, it becomes difficult to develop consistency, coordination, and confidence.
How to fix it:
- Create a weekly volleyball training schedule.
- Practice passing, setting, and serving regularly.
- Include footwork and agility exercises.
- Work on your weaknesses.
- Track your progress.
- Allow enough time for rest and recovery.
Practice drill: Follow a simple 30-minute individual volleyball practice routine.
| Activity | Time |
|---|---|
| Warm-up and stretching | 5 minutes |
| Passing practice | 8 minutes |
| Setting practice | 7 minutes |
| Serving practice | 5 minutes |
| Footwork and agility | 5 minutes |
| Total | 30 minutes |
Beginner tip: Consistent practice is more effective than occasional long training sessions.
Quick Summary: 10 Common Volleyball Mistakes
Here is a quick overview of the mistakes and their solutions.
| Common Mistake | How to Fix It |
|---|---|
| Incorrect passing | Keep a straight, stable platform |
| Poor serving technique | Focus on accuracy and contact |
| Incorrect setting | Use fingertips and proper hand position |
| Poor footwork | Maintain a balanced ready position |
| Lack of communication | Call the ball clearly |
| Hitting too hard | Focus on control and placement |
| Not returning to ready position | Stay alert after every play |
| Poor court positioning | Learn rotations and positions |
| Watching only the ball | Read the opponent’s movements |
| Inconsistent practice | Follow a regular training schedule |
How to Improve Your Volleyball Skills Faster
Avoiding mistakes is only the beginning. To become a better volleyball player, you need to develop good habits and practice the fundamentals regularly.
Here are five simple ways to improve:
- Master the basics: Develop strong passing, setting, serving, and defensive skills.
- Practice with a purpose: Set a specific goal for every training session.
- Watch experienced players: Observe their movement, positioning, and decision-making.
- Get feedback: Ask your coach or teammates to identify areas for improvement.
- Track your progress: Record your successful serves, accurate passes, and training improvements.
You Should Follow FIVB – Official FIVB Website for international volleyball information and rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the most common volleyball mistakes for beginners?
The most common mistakes include incorrect passing, poor serving technique, improper setting, poor footwork, lack of communication, and incorrect court positioning.
2. How can I improve my volleyball skills as a beginner?
Practice basic volleyball skills regularly. Focus on passing, setting, serving, footwork, and communication. Start with simple drills and gradually increase the difficulty.
3. Why do I keep missing the volleyball when passing?
You may have poor positioning, slow reactions, or an unstable passing platform. Keep your knees bent, move your feet toward the ball, and maintain straight arms.
4. How do I become a better volleyball server?
Practice your ball toss, contact point, body balance, and serving accuracy. Start with an underhand serve if you are new to volleyball, then gradually learn the overhand serve.
5. How many hours should beginners practice volleyball?
Beginners can start with 30–60 minutes of focused practice per session, around 3–4 times per week, depending on their fitness, schedule, and recovery.
6. What is the most important volleyball skill to learn first?
Passing is one of the most important foundational skills because it helps your team control the ball and build an attack. Beginners should also learn serving, setting, and court positioning.
Final Thoughts
Making mistakes is a natural part of learning volleyball. Every experienced player was once a beginner who struggled with passing, serving, setting, and positioning.
The key is to recognize your mistakes, understand how to correct them, and practice consistently.
Start by improving one skill at a time. Focus on proper technique, communicate with your teammates, and build confidence through regular training.
Remember, becoming a better volleyball player is not about being perfect. It is about improving a little every day!
Ready to improve your game? Start practicing these tips today and take your volleyball skills to the next level.
