What is a “free-ball” in volleyball?
Written by: Thalia U.
Posted: 6/1/24
Last updated: 6/1/24
What is a volleyball “free-ball”?
A free ball is a frequently used volleyball term that every coach, and athlete should feel confident in knowing.
Having this knowledge in your back-pocket can aid in quicker reaction times on defense… a huge advantage to those who aren’t aware that a “free-ball” is a golden ticket for setting up your offense!
In this blog post we will go over:
Definition of a free-ball
What situations you would see someone free-ball pass
What to do during a free-ball pass
The definition of a volleyball “free-ball”:
A free ball in volleyball: a (forearm) pass that is sent back over the net instead of an offensive hit. A hit may not be the best option due to the initial pass, so the “free-ball” forearm pass is a last ditch effort to keep the play alive… sending it back over the net to the other team.
We use the term “free” because in comparison to a strong hit/down ball we are getting an easy pass over the net to receive. If a team is giving you a free ball, you better get excited to set up/run that offense!
An example of this in a game could look like:
Your team is on serve receive, and you’re in the back-row. The serve is up, and it’s a strong serve. You attempt to pass the first ball, but it goes behind you (a 1 ball ranked pass… read our blog post ‘How to rank passes statistically in volleyball’ to learn more!)
One of your teammates runs after the ball following your first pass, and saves it… sending it BACK to the middle of your court. Your team is now communicating “send it over! send it over!” as the 3rd, final touch is about to happen. The 2nd ball isn’t high enough to try a back-row down ball, so you “free-ball” forearm pass the ball back over the net on the 3rd contact. You just did a “free-ball” pass!
When would you see someone free-ball pass back over the net?
You would see someone free-ball pass in situations like:
End of chaotic rallies
The first pass (dig, serve receive, etc) was low ranking, and the set is now impossible/unlikely to be efficient due to that first pass (sends it over on two, or forearm passes to their hitters).
The set was off (low, way off the net, etc) so the hitter needs to “free-ball
it back over the net to keep the play aliveJust need to keep the play/ball alive
People may assume that only beginner teams see free-balls during a match, but that is entirely false! I have watched NCAA college volleyball for almost a decade, and free-balls are seen throughout a full college match.
Think about it this way: A free ball is a way to keep the play alive. College athletes see the hardest serves, and swings… so they will utilize free-balls a lot! Their libero’s get crazy digs, but that doesn’t mean it will be a perfect pass every time! Sometimes.. it’s really just about keeping that ball off the ground. It wont always be pretty, but thats the game of volleyball. Each play looks different from the next, so you won’t have a perfect pass… or even the same exact play every rally.
What to do during a free-ball?
This will be the most important aspect of learning about the free-ball. We have to make sure as players, and a team we are working effectively during a free ball situation. That can look like different things, during different scenarios.
Lets make an example:
The other team looks like they are about to have their 3rd contact as a free-ball pass: Your team hits the ball over the net. Your opponents attempt to dig the ball, and it is a tough 1st pass, going off the court. They manage a second touch to save it. You notice the player about to pass for 3rd contact has their arms ready for a free-ball, forearm bump pass. Their body matches the signs of someone about to free-ball pass as well, they are definitely not hitting. This signals to you, and your team that it’s time to move back.
If your team notices a 3rd (or sometimes 2nd) contact is about to be a free-ball, you should communicate “FREE BALL”.
You communicate this to let your team know to take a step back, and set up for our offense.
Stepping back looks like front row pulling off the net, usually to the 10ft line. This is because you don’t need to block, or be on the net for a free ball, bump pass. Back-row players also take a small step back to account for front-row players shifting.
So, in a game it could look like this:
Your opponent is getting ready to do a free ball pass over the net. You notice this by their body language, and quality of the 1st, and 2nd pass. You communicate to your team, “FREE BALL!”, and everyone shifts off the net, taking a step back. Your offense is transitioned to hit, and your setter has already switched to the front row setting spot (if needed during that rotation) because we communicated that a free ball is coming. Now, we will have a great opportunity to run our offense however we please.
In conclusion…
Free balls happen frequently! It’s important to know what it is, why it happens, and what to do when it happens. Now you are one step closer to being prepared for this (common) volleyball scenario!
Comment below any ideas for future blog posts you’d wish to see.
See you next time!
-Coach T