Form and Foundation

• 1). Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart or just slightly wider. Your knees should be bent almost to a sitting position. One of the most critical factors in placing the volleyball is having a strong solid foundation.
  
  
• 2). Extend your arm straight out in front of you and hold them together. Your forearms should make a fairly flat surface area. This can be done by cupping your hands together. There are a variety of ways you can do this. One way is to place one hand flatly on top of the other, with the thumb of the lower hand holding the other hand and the thumb of the upper hand holding the first thumb. Or, you can clasp one hand in the other with the thumbs lined up next to each other. It is important not to hook your fingers together, however. If done in that way, the ball not only would not be very well-controlled but you could hurt your fingers.
  
  
• 3). Keep your back straight and bend slightly forward. It is important to keep good posture in order to squarely bump the volleyball.
  
  

Control

• 1). Learn to keep your eye on the volleyball while it is in play. The most important factor in controlling and placing the volleyball is watching the volleyball all the way to your arms.
  
  
• 2). Let the volleyball drop down onto your forearms when it comes to you. In your slightly bent forward position, along with the even and solid surface of your forearms, the ball should propel straight forward. It is important to not swing your arms at this point, but to simply let the ball bounce off of your arms.
  
  
• 3). Shrug your shoulders as the ball bounces off of your arms. This will keep the motion of the ball going.
  
  

Accurate Placement

• 1). Keep repositioning yourself as the ball moves around from player to player. It is important to keep your body positioned squarely in front of the ball. Be ready for it at all times, even when you do not think the ball is coming your way.
  
  
• 2). Keep your feet pointed straight at the ball when it is in play as well, and be ready at all times to move when the ball goes in another direction. As the ball comes at you, reposition your feet and point them in the direction you would like the incoming ball to go. Quick footwork is a key factor in getting the ball to go where you want it to go.
  
  
• 3). Point your arms and your whole body in the direction you would like the ball to go as the ball comes to you, and remember to shrug your shoulders as it leaves your body.
  
  
• 4). Keep practicing these steps and you will soon find your volleyball bumps consistently and accurately performed.