Tactics and Techniques in Volleyball

You probably may have heart many times before that the sport of volleyball is all about defence, passing and, of course, attacking. That means that it’s important for volleyball players to master different types of skills. In other words, volleyball players must be able to serve, set, dig, set, block, dive, roll, slide and spike.

In this blog, we’ll tell you about different volleyball tactics and techniques. So, if you are a beginner volleyball player who has just started his/her journey to volleyball sport then you’ve come to the right place. As a result, you’ll have a better understanding of how to play the game of volleyball. Focus on developing the right volleyball skills and get the most out of your training program!

Defensive Tactics in Volleyball

It’s no surprise that the success of a volleyball team depends a lot on its defence. Obviously, a volleyball team should have defensive players, who must be able to resist attacks of the opposite team successfully. You need to know that the defensive tactic in volleyball is all about blocking as well as diving, rolling and sliding.

– Blocking. Now, it’s time to figure out what it takes to be a successful volleyball blocker. It’s crucial for defensive volleyball players to choose the right moment for blocking. On the other hand, blockers must be able to master the effective blocking technique.

It goes without saying that a blocker must watch an attacker of the opposite team carefully. This will help a defensive player prepare for an attack hit, choose the right moment for blocking and, finally, resist an attack of the opposite team successfully.

Blockers are volleyball players who play near the net with arms out. There is no question that a blocker should have a high vertical jump. When the need for blocking an attack hit arises, a blocker should jump as high as possible. It’s important to note that blockers need to position their hands downwards. When blocking the attack hit of the opposite team, defensive volleyball players shouldn’t touch or cross the net. That’s exactly what a defensive player needs to do for blocking an attack hit of the opposite volleyball team.

It’s important to point out that a successful volleyball block oftentimes becomes a successful attack hit. The reality is the ball may go in the unpredictable direction after it’s blocked. Finally, the opposite team may find it hard to resist such an attack hit. That means that if a blocker does a great job then his or her team has a good chance to win a point.

– Diving, rolling and sliding. The job of a defensive volleyball player is not to let the ball hit the ground. If this happens for some reasons the volleyball team will lose a point. So, in order to prevent such a situation from happening, a volleyball player must be able to dive, roll and slide.

When the attack hit is carried out, the ball usually goes fast. That’s the reason why defensive players may find it difficult to resist attacks of the opposite team. That’s exactly when such volleyball tactics as diving, rolling and sliding come into play.

If a defensive volleyball player is capable of diving, rolling and sliding then he/she will be able to get low and prepare for resisting an attack successfully. The reality is if a defensive player gets low, then he/she is likely to defend more area.

Without a doubt, such a defensive tactic makes it easier for volleyball players to resist an attack of the opposite team. All of this means that defensive volleyball players must work on diving, rolling and sliding technique regularly.

Passing Tactics in Volleyball

After the attack of the opposite team is resisted successfully, the next important thing that a volleyball team has to do is to pass the ball and start preparing for carrying out an attack hit. According to the rules of volleyball sport, a team has to make no more than 3 shots to setup an attack (dig, set and spike). That means that volleyball players need to get focused on developing volleyball passing skills. It’s important to know that a passing tactic in volleyball is all about digging and setting.

– Digging. The preparation for a volleyball attack starts with a dig. Actually, a dig is an accurate and controlled volleyball shot. A dig is also known as the first shot after an attack of the opposite team is resisted. As previously mentioned, a volleyball team has the right to make 3 shots only. So, dig is the first of 3 shots.

The question is – how to dig the ball? Now, it’s time to find the correct answer to this important question. First of all, an athlete needs to put hands together and arms straight. By doing this, a volleyball player will be able to prepare for a dig successfully. Finally, a volleyball player needs to hit the ball. The ball should be hit on the player’s forearms.

– Setting. As it was mentioned above, dig is the first of 3 shots. However, the second passing shot is known to be set. In other words, setting is the final stage of preparing for an attack hit. You need to know that there are two types of volleyball sets – an overhand shot as well as overhead shot. Setting involves hitting the ball with palms. Obviously, a setter shouldn’t hit the ball forcefully. Actually, the job of a setter is to make it easy for an attacker to carry out the final third shot (an attack hit). That’s why it’s fair to say that the success of an attacker depends a lot on setter’s job.                                    

Attacking Tactics in Volleyball

The goal of every volleyball team is to carry out a successful attack hit and get a point. It’s worth noting that there are two types of attacking hits in the sport of volleyball – serve as well as spike. That means that an attacking volleyball tactic is all about serving and carrying out attack hits. Now, we’ll give you some insights into attacking tactics in volleyball.

– Serving. Serve is considered to be one of the most important shots in volleyball. There are different types of serves in volleyball – float serve, jump serve as well as topspin serve. Obviously, a server should aim to make it difficult for the opposite team to dig and pass the ball. It’s important to keep in mind that if a server does great job then he/she will be able to put a lot of pressure on the opposite team.

– Spiking. A spike is another type of an attack hit in volleyball. After the ball is digged and set, it’s time for an attacker to carry out the attack hit. And of course, an attacker should aim to land the ball on the opposite side of the court to win a score for his/her team. So, if an attacker does great job then he/she will be able either to win a point for his/her team or create a lot of difficulties for the opposite team.

As you can see, there are different volleyball tactics and techniques. On the other hand, it’s essential for you to know that there are different types of volleyball players – right side hitter, outside hitter, opposite hitter as well as middle blocker, libero and setter. Each of 6 volleyball players occupies his/her position on the court and has his/her roles and responsibilities.

Attackers (also known as right side hitter, outside hitter and opposite hitter) are responsible for organizing attacks of a volleyball team and carrying out attack hits. Obviously, attackers need to focus on mastering serving as well as spiking skills.

Defensive players (also known as middle blocker and libero) need to block the attacks of the opposite team. There is no doubt that it’s crucial for defensive players to work hard on developing blocking skills.

The job of a setter is to set the ball and help his/her team to prepare for carrying out the attack hit. And of course, developing setting skills has to be a key part of a setter’s training program.

Thanks for reading our article about volleyball tactics and techniques. Practise the necessary volleyball skills on a regular basis and do everything you can to improve your game. Hopefully, this will help you do great job on the court and achieve excellent results. Best of luck!