How to Teach a Child to Bump a Volleyball

The bump is a basic volleyball hit and the easiest one to teach a young child. As your child learns more about the sport, he will hone his bumping skills into accurate passes. For now, it’s all about learning a new skill and getting excited about the sport in general. Here are ways to teach your child the bump.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Volleyball or playground ball
• Willing and eager child

1. Start with hand positioning. Have your child bring her hands together (either clasped or cupped together, whichever is more comfortable). Tell her the thumbs are best buddies and always stick together.

2. Explain that the arms should extend perfectly straight, like a diving board (that inexplicably slopes downward). The volleyball will be bouncing off this imaginary diving board, and if the board bends at the elbows, the ball will bounce in the wrong direction and miss the swimming pool entirely.

3. Next comes the legs. They make up the diving board base and should be steady and strong. Have your child stand with her legs shoulder width apart.

4. When the ball comes toward her, let it bump off her forearms. There is no need to swing the arms up.

5. Encourage your child to watch the ball at all times.

6. Have your child stand in the proper position with arms extended and hands together. Toss the ball and let him bump it back to you.

7. Teach him how to bump the ball when starting in another position. With hands placed on his knees, have him clap his hands together as if to bump a ball. Do a knees-clap-bump drill several times without the ball. Then let him toss up the ball himself and try bumping it to you. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don’t have a volleyball, use a basic playground ball or a slightly deflated soccer ball.
• As with most kid-related endeavors, start slow and always try to keep things light and fun.