Volleyball Warm-Up: Moving Forearm Passes and Finger Window

A partner warm-up that combines volleyball footwork with ball contacts: the student moves between cones and plays a forearm pass or an overhead pass depending on the height of the ball sent by the partner. It activates legs, shoulders and wrists and forces a decision on every ball.

How to play

1. Joint mobility for wrists, fingers, shoulders and ankles (2 min).
2. In pairs: one tosses by hand and the other shuffles between two cones 3 m (10 ft) apart and returns a forearm pass (3 min).
3. The tosser alternates high and low balls: above the forehead, overhead pass; low, forearm pass (3 min).
4. Continuous passing between the two, with a mandatory step after each contact (2 min).

Rules

• Tosses at a manageable height, never straight at the face.
• Each pair stays in its own space so it doesn't invade others.
• If the ball gets away, stop and collect it without cutting between other pairs.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair user: receives balls tossed at their height and moves about 3 ft in the chair.
• Visual impairment: uses a ball with a bell and the tosser calls “high” or “low” before tossing.
• Finger injury: plays forearm passes only.

Learning goals

• Activate the joints and muscles used in volleyball.
• Choose the right contact based on the ball's path.
• Improve footwork before contact.

Equipment for a class of 25

• volleyballs: 14
• cones: 28

Teacher tip

Remind them of the rule of thumb: above the forehead, fingers; below the chest, forearms. It's a good start for any volleyball lesson.

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