How to Improve Passing Accuracy in Volleyball

  • February 18, 2026

Passing is one of the key elements in the volleyball game. When volleyball players receive the ball, they aim to make a pass to one of their teammates to continue the game. And of course, it’s incredibly important to pass the ball accurately and reach the target.

Receiving the ball has to be the number one priority for volleyball players. When opponents hit the ball, a volleyball team tries to resist an attack. However, resisting an attack hit is half the battle only. At the next stage, volleyball players should organize their own attack and make an attempt to win points for the team. Passing accuracy helps volleyball players turn defense into offence efficiently and organize a successful attack hit.

Without a doubt, volleyball players should work on such an important aspect as passing accuracy. Volleyball beginners, amateur and professional volleyball players should develop a passing skill. Today, we are going to talk about passing accuracy and explain what volleyball players should do to become good passers.

So, let’s get started.

How to Prepare for Receiving the Ball Correctly

A pass in the sport of volleyball always begins with receiving a ball. Initially, volleyball players have to position themselves on the court correctly. They have to stand on the court with feet shoulder width apart. It’s necessary to bend knees and put the body weight on toes. From such a position, volleyball players will find it easy to make a pass to their teammates.

It’s also important to note that passing in volleyball depends a lot on athlete’s hands. It’s necessary to position hands correctly before making a pass. Volleyball player’s hands have to be straight. Volleyball players should use hands to create a platform for the ball and, most importantly, make an accurate pass. Thumbs have to be parallel to each other.

Volleyball player’s legs are involved in a volleyball pass as well. A volleyball player should use his/her legs to approach to the ball during a pass. If a volleyball player approaches to the ball quickly, he/she will find it easy to make a contact with a ball and send it to the right direction.

How to Avoid Making Mistakes During a Volleyball Pass

When making a pass, volleyball players often make mistakes. And of course, these mistakes have a huge negative impact on the accuracy of passing. Volleyball players should be able to learn from mistakes.

Initially, volleyball players should understand the mistakes they make during a volleyball pass. After that, they have to work on their passing mistakes and do every single thing possible to correct them.

Oftentimes, volleyball players bend their elbows when trying to make a pass to their teammates. It’s a mistake that so many volleyball beginners make again and again. It’s difficult to make an accurate pass if volleyball player’s elbows are bent. So, make sure that your elbows are not bent when you are trying to pass the ball to a teammate.

Volleyball players create an uneven platform with their hands. That’s the reason why they find it difficult to make an accurate pass. It’s a very important aspect that athletes should pay close attention to when making a pass.

When making a pass, volleyball players often contact the ball either too high or too low. As a result, the ball goes in the wrong direction after a pass. It’s incredibly important to contact the ball at the right place and at the right time. A volleyball player should always contact the ball when it reaches the optimal height. Athletes should work on this important aspect.

Some athletes don’t move to the ball before making a pass. It’s a big mistake. When a volleyball player sees that the ball is going to him/her, he/she has to make a quick movement and approach to the ball. As a result, a volleyball player will find it easy to receive the ball and make a pass to one of his teammates.

Sometimes, volleyball players begin to panic when they try to receive a forcefully hit ball. They feel stressed and can’t receive the ball properly. After that, volleyball players can’t make an accurate pass as well. Panicking never helps volleyball players and always makes things worse. Volleyball players have to reduce stress and focus on developing an effective passing technique. As a result, they will learn how to pass successfully over the time.

How to Exercise for Improving Passing Accuracy in Volleyball

Volleyball players should get the right type of training to pass the ball to a teammate accurately. Performing certain exercises helps volleyball players improve passing accuracy and demonstrate excellent results on the court. Luckily, there is no shortage of volleyball exercises for improving passing accuracy. It goes without saying that each of these exercises has to be a part of volleyball player’s training program.

It’s a good idea to practice passing to the target. It’s worth noting that such an exercise is easy to do. This type of exercise has to be performed by two volleyball players. The exercise begins when one of volleyball players sends the ball to a passer. The task of a passer is to receive the ball and send it to the certain area. The ball can be sent to the certain area on the court or to the certain area on the wall. Volleyball players, who perform this exercise, have to discuss this important aspect in advance.

Passing to the wall is another good exercise for volleyball players. Passers can use a wall as a coach. A wall helps volleyball players learn how to receive the ball and how to pass the ball accurately. A volleyball player passes the ball to the certain area on the wall and receives the ball when it bounces back.

A volleyball player should practice quick passes. Performing this type of exercise allows volleyball players to improve their reaction as well as accuracy of passing. In fact, volleyball players can make this exercise more difficult by changing the direction of passing.

Oftentimes, a volleyball player has to make a pass after a movement. It would be great to practice such a situation during volleyball classes. A volleyball player should try to make a pass after a lateral movement or after moving ahead. By doing so, a volleyball player will get ready for game-like situations.

How to Improve Coordination for Volleyball

There is a direct link between volleyball player’s coordination, reaction and accuracy of passing. Therefore, the exercises for improving coordination have to be a key part of volleyball passer’s training program.

There are many good exercises that volleyball players can do to improve coordination. These include: exercises with a ladder, a reaction to a signal of a coach, movements without a ball as well as games for improving reaction speed.

How to Get Ready for a Volleyball Pass Psychologically

Volleyball players have to get ready for a pass psychologically as well. Passers shouldn’t worry to receive a forcefully driven ball. A volleyball player, who is responsible for passing, has to concentrate on his/her opponents and teammates during the game. It’s crucial for a volleyball player to predict the direction of the ball. If a volleyball player knows where the ball goes, he/she will find it easy to receive it during the game. It’s a great idea to visualize volleyball passing.

Final Thoughts

Thank you so much for reading this article. It goes without saying that being a volleyball passer is not easy. It takes a volleyball player a lot of time to master the art of volleyball passing. You’ll be able to improve the accuracy of passing by following our training tips.

A volleyball player, who wants to be a good passer, has to learn how to receive the ball, how to train correctly, how to improve coordination and how to prepare for a pass psychologically.

We’ve provided the answers to all these important questions to make the life of volleyball passers much easier. Follow our tips to improve the accuracy of passing, become a better passer and, most importantly, contribute greatly to success of a volleyball team.