The set (overhead pass) is a two-hand push off the finger pads, usually the team's second contact, that sends the ball to a hitter. You get your feet to the ball first, bring your hands up into a triangle above and in front of your forehead, then extend your legs and arms toward the target. From the side, the app reads your hand window above the forehead, your body position under the ball and your leg drive. It doesn't see the ball itself, and calling a catch or a double contact is the referee's job.
Get under the ball
Start in a ready position with your weight on the balls of your feet. Read where the ball is going and start moving early.
light on your toes, ready to move.
Get your feet to the spot under the ball and stop them before the ball arrives. Face your target with your feet, hips and shoulders. Your right foot is slightly forward with your weight on your left foot. Your knees are bent and your weight is forward.
feet stopped, body square to the target.
Hand window above the forehead
As your feet stop, bring both hands up together above and in front of your forehead. Keep your elbows bent so you have room to extend.
hands up early, waiting for the ball.
Shape your hands like the ball: thumbs and index fingers form a triangle, hands cupped, thumbs pointing back toward your eyes. Your wrists bend back far enough to show creases at the wrist.
you can see your thumb tips through the window.
Play the ball on the pads of your fingers and thumbs, not your palms. Keep your wrists firm so the ball doesn't push your hands back.
fingertips on the ball, palms off it.
Push through, quick release
Extend your legs and arms toward the target. Your knees start straightening first and your elbows follow. Shift your weight from your left foot onto your right foot as you push.
the push starts from the floor.
Follow through with your hands toward the target and finish with your palms facing the ceiling. Then find your balance and get ready to cover the hitter.
hands finish high, palms up.
Stay legal. The ball must not be caught or thrown: if it comes to rest in your hands, it's a fault. Rules on a double contact on the second touch now differ. USA Volleyball (from 2026), NCAA and NFHS allow it if a teammate touches the ball next; the older rule says contacts by one player must be simultaneous. Check the rules your league plays. Volleyball Canada does not let players 16 and under receive a serve with their fingers.
one quick, clean push.
Feel it
Your feet arrive first and stop. Your hands are already up in a triangle above your forehead, thumbs back toward your eyes. The ball meets your finger pads, your knees push, your arms follow, and your hands finish toward the target with palms to the ceiling. Common cues are "feet to the ball", "get underneath the ball", "hands high, thumbs back" and "push the ball to the target".
Fix-its
- The ball sinks into your palms (a catch or lift) Cup your hands into a ball shape with thumbs back so only the finger and thumb pads touch it. Keep your wrists firm and push the ball away quickly.
- Your hands are low, in front of your face or chest Bring your hands up as your feet stop, above and in front of your forehead, before the ball arrives.
- Your hands "swim" apart or flick at the finish Push through the ball and finish with both hands toward the target, palms facing the ceiling. Don't snap the wrists.
- You're still moving or turned away from the target at contact Get your feet to the ball early and stop. Square your feet, hips and shoulders to the target before you play it.
- You set with your arms only Start with your knees bent and your weight on your left foot. Begin the push from your legs and step your weight onto your right foot as your arms extend.
Drill
- Hand position: kneeling, hold a ball in a triangle above your forehead, thumbs pointing to your eyes and wrist creases showing. Take the ball away and check your hands. Repeat standing.
- Catch and feed: a partner tosses from 2 m, you catch in setting position and check your thumbs and wrists, then feed the ball back. 3 times at 2 m, then 3 times at 4 m.
- Drop, catch and push (groups of 3): a partner drops the ball into your hands, you catch it, then push it to a target, finishing palms to the ceiling. 4 times kneeling, then 4 times standing with weight moving from your left to your right foot.
- Toss and set: a partner tosses from 2 m (3 times), then 4 m (3 times), and you set it back. Then 5 sets each and switch.
- Feet to the ball: a coach tosses from across the net and you move, stop, square your feet, hips and shoulders to a target at the net on your right, and set to it. 5 times through the line.
By position
Setters: you take most of your team's second contacts, so this is your core skill. In one study of college setters, body position looked much the same for a high outside set and a quick, low set, which keeps blockers guessing. Aim for the same look on every set. Other positions: an overhand pass uses the same motion, so every player benefits from clean hands.
Sources
- Volleyball Canada — Overhand Passing (Development Coach skill description)
- Sask Volleyball (Atomic Volleyball Instructor's Manual) — Overhead Passing training sequence (2021)
- USA Volleyball — Junior High Glossary & Cue Words (2020)
- Ridgway, Hay & Gench — Kinematics of the High Outside Set and the Two-Set in Volleyball, ISBS Proceedings (1985)
- USA Volleyball — 2024 Rules Interpretations Newsletter #3 (ball handling rules 9.2–9.3) (2024)
- USA Volleyball — 2026 Rules Interpretations Newsletter #1 (double contact on 2nd ball) (2026)
Last checked 2026-10-26.