Volleyball Beginner Resources

Hand Signals in playing outdoor (beach volleyball) and indoor volleyball:

Basic hand signals for outdoor (beach) volleyball:

Signaling 1
Signaling one finger with your left hand means you’re going to block line on the right side hitter.
Signaling 2
Likewise, signaling two fingers means you’re going to block angle.
Signaling a fist
A fist means you aren’t planning to block. For example, as the attacker is being set, the blocker pulls off the net to help out with defense.
Signaling an open hand
An open hand usually means the blocker is going to take the ball. This strategy is risky because the defender isn’t going to know where the blocker is going to block. The blocker basically guesses where the hitter is going to hit at the last second. If the blocker knows the the hitter well, this strategy is also effective for “baiting” the hitter into hitting into your block.
Signaling with the thumb
The thumbs are used to show your partner which player you’d like them to serve to.

Indoor Volleyball Hand Signals

1) Point

Raise arm on side of team earning a point, extend forefinger.

2) Ball Came to Rest

With bent elbow, rise from waist to chest level. Make the signal on the side of the team that committed the fault. Then indicate player that committed the fault.

3) Double Fault, Re-serve, Play over

Hold fists close together at chest, thumbs extended.

4) Side Out.

Extend the arm toward team that will serve, with palm perpendicular to the floor.

5) Double Hit

Raise arm, extend forefinger and middle finger. Make the signal on the side of the team that committed the fault.

6) Illegal Block or Screen

Raise both arms, elbows bent, palms facing forward. Then indicate player who committed the fault.

7) Ball “In” or Crossing Under Net, Foot Fault

Point the front zone (between attack line and center line) with open hand, palm facing net. Make the signal on the side of the team that committed the fault.

8) Crossing Center Line

Point a center line with open hand, palm facing net. Make the signal on the side of the team that committed the fault.

9) Player Out of Position, Wrong Server

Make clockwise circular motion with index finger. Then indicate player(s) committing the fault

10) Ball “Out,” Player Illegally on Adjacent Court

Raise arms vertically and parallel, bent at elbow, palms facing body. Then indicate player committing the fault.

11) Served Ball Fails to Cross Net, Player Touches Net

Touch net with open palm. Use arm closest to team committing the fault. Then indicate player touching the net.

12) Time-Out

Form hands in the shape of a “T.” Then indicate the team making the request.

13) Ball “Out” After Contact by a Player

Hold one arm vertically with palm forward. Brush fingertips with other palm held horizontally

14) Back Row Attack, Attack of Serve

Make forward swinging motion with forearm. Then indicate player committing the fault.

15) Substitution

Rotate fists around each other in circular motion. Then indicate team making the request.

16) Four Hits

Raise arm with palm facing forward. With thumb across palm, extend remaining fingers. Then indicate player committing the fault.

17) Illegal Attack or Block Over the Net

Hold hand above chest, palm down. Then indicate player committing the fault.

18) End of Game or Match

Cross forearms across chest, open palms on shoulders.

19) Initiation of Service

Extend arm toward server with elbow bent. With palm down, move hand toward forehead in beckoning motion.

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 13th, 2010 at 6:32 pm and is filed under Volleyball Drills for Beginners. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.