How to Bump a Volleyball

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The bump is the most basic and most essential skill in volleyball. The bump is used to hit a ball that is below the head, and is typically used as the first touch to receive a serve or return. If you're going to master volleyball, you'll need to master the bump. Here's how.

Steps

'Get in Position.' You should be in "athletic posture." Place your feet about shoulder width apart, lean forward a bit, on your toes, ready to move, and bend your knees, keeping them in line with your toes.
Make sure that you don't hit the ball with only one hand, because this action can cause a foul.
Move to the ball so that it will come down squarely in front of you. You can bump the ball backwards, of course, but you still want to make sure that you make contact with the ball right in front of you (you may need to turn away from the net).
Prepare your arms. Make your forearms into a flat "platform" by holding your arms out straight in front of you, but down a little. Clasp your hands in front of you, with your thumbs together, side-by-side. Don't lace your fingers together, for this will make you loose control of the ball. You can either make a fist with one hand and wrap the other around it, or you can bend one thumb down to its palm, and rest it on the other hand. Remember to keep your elbows locked and your knees bent.
Pass the ball. Keep your eye on the ball. Follow the trajectory of the ball as it comes down and even as you hit it. Make contact with the ball at about waist-level. When the ball is right above your forearms, straighten your legs so that your arms move up to meet it. Try to contact the ball about a third of the way between your wrists and your elbows (closer to the wrists rather than to the elbows). At the same time, move your arms forward and up slightly, but keep in mind that the majority of the force should come from your legs.
Aim the ball. Dip or twist your shoulder to aim the ball. You can't really aim with your forearms, because you need to keep them flat in order to provide a good platform for the ball. Instead move from the shoulders so that both arms stay together and move as one unit. Ideally, you can square up with the ball so you can just hit it straight forward.
Use your legs. Using your knees, and a little power from your arms, push through the ball.
It is helpful, when learning to bump, if you place you left hand in a fist facing up and wrap your right hand around it soon this will become habit.
Watch the ball with your eyes, not your whole body, try and keep your chin down, because it gives you more control of the ball. Some coaches will even have you put the collar of your shirt in your mouth to keep your chin down.

Video

Tips

Remember, keep your arms straight and level. If you tilt your arms a little, the ball will go in the direction perpendicular to the angle of your arms. This can be done purposefully in order to hit the ball towards a teammate. Make sure that you have the ability to hit a straight bump so you can better control where the ball goes when you have to hit it in a game.
While you can use the bump to hit the ball back over the net, in more advanced play it is usually used simply to get the ball under control and in position for the set and spike.
Practice is definitely necessary when learning the bump. A good way to practice is to bump a volleyball against a wall as many times as you can in a row.
Try not to "swing" your arms when passing a ball. This could cause a "wild" pass. Your arms should not come above shoulder-level. Instead, try to square up with the ball so you can hit it straight forward or, if that's not possible, dip your shoulder to aim.
You can get more power in your bump by transferring your weight forward as you hit it.
If you're playing with more than three people you may want to call the ball, by saying "MINE!" to avoid running into each other
If the ball is coming at you fast, you may not need to put as much power in to your bump.
DO NOT LEAN to the ball! do not bend your back as it poses bad control. Bend your knees and take a jump-step forward or back. ONLY lean in desperate situations i.e. you running full force after a ball that was hit wide.

Warnings

Be sure not to cross your fingers. This could lead to injury if the ball accidentally hits your hands.
Do not hit the ball with your hands. Many people say it hurts to play volleyball but it is usually because they are hitting the ball with their hands. In addition, the hands do not make a good, flat platform, and you're bump will likely go errant.
Don't lift or "carry" the ball. The bump should be a quick hit. If the ball stays in contact with your body for too long, you could be called for a fault and lose a point.
If you have tender skin, or bony arms, it is likely that your forearms will hurt when you have hit the ball a few times. Don't worry, if you power through it, you will get used to it, and it will stop hurting.

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