Chance balls can change the pace of a game. In the 2008 Olympic Games, the USA won the gold medal because of a chance ball given by the Brazilian team.
So, what is a chance ball in volleyball?
Well, a chance ball occurs when the opposing team makes a poor return or attack, allowing the other side to take advantage of that shot and shift into an offensive play. Basically, it’s a misplay, weak attack, or poor pass from the other team, giving your players the opportunity to win the side-out.
So, don’t miss the chance to win a game just because you were ignorant of a misplay from the opposite team. Know everything there is to learn about chance balls right here.
When Does a Chance Ball Occur?
Recognizing a chance ball can help you win games. If you can’t identify it, then you’re not punishing your opponent for their mistakes in the game. So, a chance ball occurs:
1. When the oppositions make a miscalculated pass or an attack with no speed, leaving the ball moving slowly or hanging high. This makes it easier for the offensive team to prepare for a full-fledged attack.
2. When a team is not in their ideal defensive position, creating open areas or gaps on their side of the court for the offensive team to take advantage of.
3. When a team’s block is not set properly, allowing the offensive group to hit around or through the defense.
4. When the opposing team makes a defensive play or free ball because of a misplay.
So, the difference between a chance ball and a free ball in volleyball is that a chance ball is—an easy offensive opportunity for a team that resulted from the opponents’ poor pass or attack, and a free ball is—a defensive strategy or play from the opposing team to return the ball to the other side of the court without attacking, giving time to form their defense properly.
The Best Techniques for Handling Chance Balls in Volleyball
Knowing what to do when you see a chance ball is as important as recognizing one. It won’t do you any good if you identify a chance ball but don’t know how to capitalize the moment.
So, you must learn the necessary techniques to get the best out of a chance ball and practice them accordingly in order to siege the moment without any errors.
Anyways, here are some strategies to handle a chance ball:
Take Your Best Swing
This one is for the hitters out there. When you see a high-hanging chance ball, the easiest and, frankly, the most effective thing you can do is (if you’re the hitter)—put the ball away with a full, hard swing.
It is also the most aggressive way to deal with a chance ball, so make sure you’re ready to nail the shot.
You might want to get yourself geared up with the best shoes for hitters. It is certain to help you in giving your most.
Tip or Shoot the Ball
If you see any weak spots in their block or if the enemy block is not well-formed, you can try shooting or tipping the ball over the players into an open area. Basically, you’ll need to figure out the gap in their defense and aim for that spot.
The Back Set Play
If the first two moves aren’t going to cut it, then try running a back set play with your team. So, your setter is going to set, hurl, or pass the ball behind to the back-row attacker.
The back-row attackers always have a better view of the entire court, so it’s easy for them to shoot the ball into a gap.
The Setter Dump Play
Now, this technique is a little tricky and might require a lot of practice and in-game experience. Unless you’re a skilled setter, it’s better to avoid such risky plays. You might also want to look into the kicks for setters to increase the odds.
So, fellow setters, when you identify a chance ball and see that the opposing defense is out of position, execute a dump or tip the ball in such a way that their hitter has a difficult time returning the shot.
There is a high chance their hitters won’t be able to return the dump, but even if they can, your team will get a serious advantage on the next attack.
High Ball Setup
Hitters won’t always get or have the opportunity to capitalize on a chance ball. The ball might not even go in their direction. On the other hand, the setters might not have the best full-swing attack.
So, in the case of a high-flying chance ball, you (if you’re playing as a setter) can set the ball high for your hitters. It will give them enough time to analyze the court and opponents’ positions, allowing them to execute the perfect gap shot.
Splitting the Offense
The split offense play is a high skilled technique. It will require an excellent team chemistry and communication to pull off this method.
The play is executed by a setter and the hitters of a team. When a setter receives a chance ball, he/she can run a split offense play, which divides the defense of the opposing team. Instead of setting the ball to one hitter, the setter sets two different attackers at the same time.
Transition to Defense
Sometimes, the chance ball won’t be optimal for an offensive play. If this is the case, then you will need to rely on a defensive strategy.
Your team should try to execute a controlled free ball or a defensive play that might help you guys regain the side-out.
These are all the techniques to utilize the most out of a chance ball that I know of. However, you can always tip the balance with the best volleyball shoes in your arsenal.
Some of the Most Memorable Chance Ball Moments
Chance balls can often lead to some of the most memorable and exciting moments in volleyball. Here’s an analysis of some notable chance ball moments in the sport:
USA vs Brazil, 2008 Olympic Games
In the gold medal match, the United States was trailing Brazil in the fourth set when a Brazilian attack went long, giving the Americans a chance ball.
Setter Lindsey Berg quickly set up Destinee Hooker for a thunderous attack that tied the set at 23-23. The U.S. went on to win that set and the match, capturing the gold medal in a thrilling comeback.
Russia vs Brazil, 2012 Olympic Games
In the semifinal match, Russia faced a match point against Brazil. However, a Brazilian attack went wide, giving Russia a chance ball.
Russian opposite Dmitriy Muserskiy hammered home a powerful spike, saving the match point and igniting a remarkable comeback. Russia eventually won the match and advanced to the gold medal game.
Poland vs Brazil, 2018 World Championship
In the final set of the championship match, Poland trailed Brazil 13-11 when a Brazilian attack sailed out, giving Poland a chance ball.
Polish opposite Bartosz Kurek unleashed a blistering spike, tying the set at 13-13. Poland rode the momentum from that play to win the set and claim their first-ever World Championship title.
Italy vs Serbia, 2021 European Championship
In a tight semifinal match, Italy was trailing Serbia 24-23 in the fourth set. A Serbian attack went long, presenting Italy with a chance ball.
Italian opposite Alessandro Michieletto delivered a powerful spike to save set point and eventually force a deciding fifth set, which Italy won to advance to the final.
These moments exemplify how chance balls can swing momentum and create opportunities for teams to turn the tide of a match.
The ability to capitalize on these chances often separates the great teams from the good ones, as they require mental toughness, quick decision-making, and execution under pressure.
Some Final Words of Advice
Before I put an end to the blog, I would like to give you guys a few tips on how to deal with a chance ball. The first thing you’ll need to work on is team coordination and communication. The better you guys are synced, the better opportunity you have to score a point from a chance ball.
Remember that the setters and hitters must have a perfect sync or coordination, if you want to utilize the most out of a chance ball.
The second tip is to practice dealing with chance balls. The more you train, the easier it gets to take advantage of the misplay.
Finally, learn from your mistakes. There is a pretty good chance that your team might not be able to use a free ball on the first, second, or third try, but don’t take it as a setback; instead, learn from your errors and apply the lessons to your future games.
So, now that you know what a chance ball is in volleyball, it’s time to take the knowledge to the court.
