Bounce the Ball

Articles In This Section:

· Recovery Shots

· Bounce the Ball

· Study Lines of Force

· The Two-Arm Forearm Bounce

· The One-Hand Bounce Pass

· The Foot Bounce

· Net Recovery

· Quicken Your Reactions—Here's How!

Each recovery shot is herein named a bounce because it is so important to concentrate on merely meeting the ball squarely when making a recovery. The chances for control of a recovery shot are slim unless this is done. The chest pass allows for the delivery of force and control because the hit is with a shaped surface comprised of ten fingers which encompass a wide area. However, besides the chest pass and the set, in no other play may the ten fingers be used to pass the ball without chancing a call of foul for lifting, throwing, or carrying the ball. Surfaces employed for recovery plays include the butt or heel of the hands, the back of the hands, the forearms, the lower legs, and the feet. In each case the movement of the body part utilized may be likened to that of the bat in baseball's execution of a bunt. The striking surface is placed in a position to intercept the ball squarely and then moved to strike the ball only enough to insure placing the ball to the spot desired. A full swing of the arm, or forearm, or leg, is not advisable. A bounce of the ball into the air sufficiently to allow a team mate to make a good set or placement is the purpose of the recovery shot. The ball responds easily and effortlessly to force applied directly to its center.

One should be aware of the fact that bounce or dig passes are now a fundamental and common part of the game. To a large degree among skilled players, these passes are part of the offensive as well as defensive system and are therefore more than just recovery shots. De Groot and Odeneal both emphasize this point. "Wrist and two-arm forearm passes are quite accurate and are used a high percentage of the time now." ¹ "It is not uncommon for a hard spike, after coming off the block, to be dug up with one or both hands and thereby set up high and ready for a spike." ²