7 Common Volleyball Mistakes Beginners Make

Mistakes can make a significant difference. Here are seven key errors every new volleyball player should be aware Smallof—and how to improve them.

So, you have decided to try volleyball. Maybe you watched a match and thought, “This looks fun.” Maybe a friend invited you to training. Or perhaps you have been watching volleyball videos and have now decided this is something you want to pursue. Whatever brought you to the court, welcome.

1. Trying to hit every ball hard.

One of the first things beginners often discover is that volleyball is not simply about hitting the ball as hard as possible. You see the ball coming and your first thought might be, “SPIKE IT!” But sometimes the best decision is a controlled pass, a soft shot into an open space, or simply keeping the rally alive. Good volleyball is about control and decision-making as much as it is about power. Before playing the ball, ask yourself what your team needs in that moment. Learn to play the situation, not just the ball.

2. Standing still after touching the ball.

You make your pass and then pause to admire your work while the rally is still going. We have all seen it. In volleyball, your responsibility does not end once you make contact with the ball. You immediately need to think about what comes next. After passing, recover your position. After setting, prepare for the next phase. After attacking, be ready to cover. Volleyball is a continuous sequence, and every action leads into another.

3. Not communicating with your teammates.

Imagine two players running toward the same ball, neither one says anything, both hesitate, and the ball drops between them. Painful. Communication can prevent situations like this. Calling “Mine!”, “Out!” or “Free!” helps your teammates understand what is happening and react accordingly. You do not need to shout constantly, but you should communicate clearly and early. Communication also goes beyond calling the ball. Encouraging a teammate after a difficult play can help build confidence and keep the team connected.

4. Being afraid of the ball.

This one is completely understandable when you are new. The ball comes quickly and suddenly your instinct says, “Maybe I should just move out of the way.” But becoming comfortable with the ball is an important part of learning volleyball. You do not have to throw yourself at every ball from your first training session. Start with simple passing exercises with a partner, focus on your body position and platform, and gradually increase the speed and difficulty. Confidence comes with repetition. The more you practise, the more comfortable the ball becomes.

5. Ignoring your position.

You do not need to memorise the entire volleyball rulebook before your first training session, but you should understand the basics of your position. A setter does not have the same responsibilities as a libero, and an outside hitter does not play the same role as a middle blocker. Volleyball also involves rotation, meaning players need to understand where they should be on the court as the game changes. One of the best things a beginner can do is simply ask questions. If you are unsure where you should be, ask your coach. Knowing your role makes the game much easier to understand.

6. Trying to be perfect.

This might be one of the biggest mistakes a beginner can make. You make one bad pass and suddenly think, “Maybe I am just not good at volleyball.” Please, relax. You are learning. Mistakes are part of developing any skill, and volleyball gives you plenty of opportunities to make them. Instead of asking yourself, “Why am I so bad at this?”, ask, “What can I do differently next time?” Maybe your positioning was wrong. Maybe your timing was off. Maybe you were late to the ball. Identify the problem, make the adjustment and try again. That is how improvement happens.

7. Only practising what you are already good at.

It feels good to practise something you already know you can do well. If your serve is your strongest skill, you will probably enjoy practising it. But the skills you struggle with deserve attention too. If your passing is inconsistent, spend more time passing. If your serve needs work, practise it. If your movement is slow, work on your footwork. You do not have to fix everything at once. Pick one area, work on it consistently and then move to the next. Small improvements eventually become noticeable changes in your game.

So, how do you actually become better at volleyball?

There is no secret shortcut. Unfortunately, nobody can download volleyball skills into your brain overnight. Improvement comes from consistent practice, patience, feedback and actually playing the game. Show up to training. Listen to your coach. Ask questions. Watch experienced players. Practise your weaker skills. Play against different opponents. Most importantly, keep playing.

There will be days when everything seems to work. Your passes will be clean, your serves will go over and you will leave training feeling like a superstar. Then there will be days when even the simplest ball seems determined to embarrass you. Both experiences are part of being a player. The important thing is to keep learning.

And if you are thinking about starting volleyball, start. You do not need to be tall. You do not need to know how to spike. You do not need the strongest serve. You do not even need to know every rule before your first training session. You simply need to be willing to learn.

Every experienced volleyball player was once a beginner. Every confident server once struggled to get the ball over the net. Every good passer has shanked a ball. Every player you admire had a first day on the court.

So if volleyball has been sitting somewhere in the back of your mind and you have been thinking, “Maybe I should try it,” consider this your sign.

Step onto the court.

You might miss the first ball. You might make mistakes. You might surprise yourself. And you might just discover a sport—and a community—you end up loving.

VolleyVarse Takeaway

Do not fear making mistakes. Fear allowing them to stop you from learning.

Volleyball is not about getting everything right from the beginning. It is about showing up, learning consistently and becoming better, one ball at a time. 🏐