The bump, or forearm go, may look easy — nevertheless it’s one of the crucial necessary expertise in volleyball. And but, I nonetheless see so many gamers making the identical errors. Even skilled ones! In case your bump isn’t dependable in each scenario, your entire sport suffers.
On this article, I’ll present you 6 key strategies to good your bump, keep away from the most typical errors, and construct a forearm go like the perfect gamers on this planet.
By the tip, you’ll know methods to make each go cleaner, quicker, and extra correct.
Lifting Up vs. Thumbs Right down to the Ground
The primary huge mistake I see on a regular basis? Gamers lifting their our bodies when passing.
Sure, you wish to be energetic and provides the ball some vitality — however for those who straighten your legs and again throughout contact, your platform angle adjustments fully. Whenever you stand up, your arms naturally go up too (typically even above your shoulders), and that sends the ball flying off in random instructions.
👉 As a substitute:
Maintain your thumbs pointed right down to the ground when making contact. This mechanically brings your higher physique ahead and creates area between your arms and your torso — the proper setup for a clear go.
Should you watch Japanese gamers, even their youngest athletes observe this: transfer ahead, not up.
Your bump ought to go ahead, not excessive into the air.
Keep in mind: Thumbs down = ahead vitality.
Shoulder–Knee–Foot Alignment
Physique alignment is all the things.
From the aspect, your shoulders must be in entrance of your knees, and your knees in entrance of your toes. Which means your weight is ahead, not sitting again and swinging your arms.
💡 Do that easy drill:
Seize a chair, flip it so the backrest faces you, squat above it, lengthen your arms, and go balls over the chair. You’ll instantly really feel what the proper, forward-leaning posture must be.
By no means Convey Your Arms Above Your Shoulders
Should you’re bringing your arms above your shoulders — 95% of the time, it’s a mistake.
A ball comes excessive towards your chest or neck, and also you lean again, carry your arms, and… the ball goes anyplace however to your setter. That’s not an excellent bump.
✅ As a substitute, use one in every of two higher choices:
Step again and play the ball overhead (particularly if it’s a excessive float serve).
The first step foot again — left or proper — to create area beside your physique and bump the ball subsequent to you.
Most excessive or quick balls must be handed beside your physique, not in entrance of your face. Rotate your shoulders towards your goal and use your physique, not simply your arms, to information the ball.
Shoulder Top When Passing to the Aspect
Whenever you’re passing beside your physique, don’t hold your shoulders degree — it kills your management.
If the ball involves your left aspect, your left shoulder must be greater.
If it’s to your proper, your proper shoulder must be greater.
That’s the way you management the ball’s route.
To coach this, strive wall drills, passing aspect to aspect. I exploit over 100 of those in my Subsequent-Gen Hitter program — they’ll assist you to enhance your bump as much as 3× quicker.
Watch the Ball Hit Your Platform
Right here’s one of many largest variations between common and nice passers:
They really watch the ball hit their arms.
Many gamers look towards their goal too early. Whenever you look away throughout contact, you lose management.
Focus your eyes on the precise level the place the ball meets your forearms — then look towards your goal.
This behavior builds consistency and precision. It’s like aiming for a basketball hoop as a substitute of simply throwing within the basic route.
You Can At all times Go Decrease
A mindset tip that adjustments all the things: you possibly can all the time go decrease.
Whenever you play with straight legs, you possibly can’t management the ball — particularly in opposition to quick or floating serves.
The decrease you go, the extra steady and versatile you turn out to be.
Being decrease means:
Higher management of quick or gradual balls
Stronger base for motion
Extra energy and precision on each go
So subsequent time you go, inform your self: “I can play this decrease.”
It would immediately make your approach stronger and extra dependable.