Can you kick the ball in Volleyball: Legal Move or Foul?

[Please read this full post completely and carefully to get clarity about all the grey areas of kicking the ball in volleyball. Bookmark it if you need to refer to it later too. ]

We were playing against a powerhouse team from Cali, and their setter dove for a ball that seemed impossible to reach. At the last second, she kicked it perfectly to her outside hitter, who smashed it for a point.

Half our bench jumped up arguing it was illegal. The other half just stared in amazement. The referee?

Before that – see the current status – Here is a quick search result for the same.

So, back to the refree of our match – He signaled play on—completely legal.

So, can you kick the ball in volleyball?

Yes, you can kick the ball in volleyball! 

According to the official rules from the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), you can legally use any part of your body to contact the ball—including your feet. This has been the rule since 1993, though confusion lasted for years after that.

But here’s the thing most players don’t realize: just because it’s legal doesn’t mean you should make it part of your game plan.

In all my years playing—from backyard games in Minnesota through college tournaments—I used my foot maybe a dozen times. Always as a last resort.

Because like many things in volleyball, there’s a bit more to it than just that.

This rule was clearly put into practice in 1993, but there was lots of ambiguity until 2010. There was a lot of confusion because many players and coaches were clear in instructing that you should only use the area above your waist. 

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about kicking in volleyball.

You’ll learn when it’s appropriate, when it’s a terrible idea, and what the official rules say across every level of play. Whether you’re just starting out or coaching a team, you’ll have the complete picture by the end.

Quick Reference: When Kicking Is (and Isn’t) Legal

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Now let’s break down what this really mean

As, I shared above, the exact wording from the FIVB Volleyball Rules 2025-2028 are:

Rule 9.2.1: “The ball may touch any part of the body.”

That’s it. Simple and clear.

This rule was officially adopted in 1993, but honestly, confusion stuck around until about 2010. I remember coaches in my high school days still telling us to only use everything above the waist. Old habits die hard in volleyball.

The key point here is “any part of the body.” That includes:

• Feet
• Legs
• Chest
• Head
• Shoulders
• Even your back if the ball happens to hit you there

As long as the contact follows all other ball-handling rules, you’re good. But it’s the refree of the game who decides if the contact was legal or not.

How Referees Judge Kick Hits?

And this is where it gets interesting – read this part carefully to save you game (and your kick)

Yes, kicking is legal. But the ball still needs to be hit cleanly. The same rules that apply to your hands apply to your feet.

What referees look for:

Brief, Clean Contact – The ball can’t rest on your foot, even for a split second. It needs to rebound quickly and clearly. Just like with your hands, if you “carry” or “lift” the ball with your foot, it’s a fault.

No Catching or Throwing – This should be obvious, but the ball can’t be caught, held, or thrown with any body part—including your feet. It’s a rebound sport.

Referee Discretion – At the end of the day, the referee decides if the contact was legal. If it looks messy or unclear, they might call it. This is why kicking is risky even when it’s technically allowed.

I’ve seen players make what looked like perfect foot saves get called as faults because the contact wasn’t clean enough. The ref’s judgment is final, so you need to make it obvious that you hit the ball legally.

Kicking Rules Across Different Volleyball Levels

One question I get all the time: “Does this rule apply to high school? College? Beach?”

The answer is yes—pretty much everywhere. Here’s the breakdown:

The big takeaway? Whether you’re playing in a high school gym in Minnesota or competing in the Olympics, the rules are the same: You can kick during a rally, but never on a serve.

Some recreational leagues might have house rules that differ, but any organized volleyball follows FIVB guidelines.

Why You Might Kick the Ball

Okay, so it’s legal. But when would you actually use your foot?

From my experience, here are the situations where a kick makes sense:

Desperate Saves: This is the big one. The ball is coming at you so fast that using your hands just won’t cut it. A quick kick can keep the ball in play in these high-pressure moments and potentially save the point.

I remember one match during the Great Lakes Regional Championship where our libero dove for a ball and couldn’t get her arms under it. She kicked it straight up, our setter recovered it, and we won the point. The crowd went wild.

Unexpected Plays: Occasionally, you’ll see a ball dropping right at your feet after a deflection or a wild dig. If you’re out of position and can’t get your hands down quickly enough, your foot is right there.

A well-timed kick can throw off your opponents, catching them by surprise and giving your team a strategic advantage.

Beach Volleyball: On the sand, you have a bit more freedom to use your feet to control the ball, making those tricky saves when diving isn’t an option. The surface makes diving harder, so foot saves become slightly more practical.

The Chase: When you’re sprinting to save a ball that’s heading out of bounds, sometimes a foot is your only option. You’re moving at full speed, the ball is low, and you just need to get any touch on it.

That said, I’ve always preferred a swan dive if possible. More control, less risk.

When to Avoid Kicking the Ball

Despite the legality of kicking, it’s important to know when not to use your feet:

Serving: Never, ever try to kick serve. I don’t care how good your soccer skills are. The serve should always be executed by hand to maintain control and precision.

Plus, it’s actually illegal. The rules require you to serve with your hand. So don’t even think about it.

Now, even if allowed – The serve needs precision and control. You need to be able to place it exactly where you want, with the right amount of spin and power. Your hand gives you all of that. Your foot? Not so much.

Out of Anger: This one should be obvious, but I’ve seen it happen. A player gets frustrated after a bad play and kicks the ball away.

Bad idea. Really bad idea.

Not only does it disrupt your team’s focus and chemistry, but referees can (and will) penalize you for unsportsmanlike conduct. I’ve seen players get yellow cards for this.

Volleyball is an emotional game, but you need to channel that emotion into your next play—not into kicking the ball across the gym.

Out of Bounds: If a ball is heading out of bounds, trying to save it with a kick can often lead to uncontrolled hits and even injury. It’s better to let it go and prepare for next play.

In Regular, Controlled Play: This is the most important point: don’t make kicking part of your regular game strategy.

Yes, it’s legal. But your hands and arms give you so much more control and precision. Kicking should be your emergency backup option—not something you practice or plan to use.

What Coaches and Experienced Players Say

I want to share some perspective from my years in the game and conversations with coaches I respect.

The consensus? Kicking is legal, but it’s not a skill to develop.

Good coaches will tell you the same thing I’m telling you now: focus your training on passing, setting, and spiking. Master your footwork, positioning, and hand techniques. Those are the fundamentals that win matches.

Kicking should be in your back pocket for emergencies only. It’s not something you drill. It’s not something you plan. It’s your last resort when everything else has failed.

In all my years competing—from those backyard games with my siblings through the National Collegiate Volleyball Championship—I can count on one hand the number of times a kick save actually made a difference. And every single time, it was pure instinct, not strategy.

Pro players rarely use their feet for good reason: consistency wins matches. You can’t build an offense or defense around unpredictable techniques.

What to keep in mind about kicking the ball in Volleyball

Something being legal in the game is one thing, but thinking of using this thing as a strategy in an ongoing game or something that you impact to improve your game is totally different.

 The only reason for this post is to tell you that, during the game situation (and quick thinking), if you kick the ball, then don’t hesitate or stop to think that you have done something illegal.

But, overall, avoid learning how to kick for practice and how to get the volleyball as a part of your game or strategy.

Control and Precision: Using your hands and arms provides much better control and precision. Kicking can be less accurate and lead to unpredictable outcomes, which is why it’s often discouraged in regular play.

Injury Risk: There’s a higher risk of injury when kicking the ball to yourself and others on the court. Always be mindful of your surroundings and your teammates’ positions.

Equipment Damage: Volleyballs are designed to withstand impacts from hands and arms, not feet. Frequent kicking can affect the ball’s shape, making it unsuitable for consistent play.

Famous Kick Saves That Made Headlines

Want to see kicking in action? There have been some incredible moments in competitive volleyball.

One of the most famous examples was during the 2017 NCAA Volleyball tournament. Multiple players made spectacular kick saves that went viral on social media. These weren’t planned moves—they were pure instinct and athleticism in high-pressure moments.

https://www.espn.com.sg/video/clip/_/id/13921923

You’ll also see kick saves occasionally in professional leagues and international competitions. Usually, it’s a defensive specialist or libero making an emergency dig on a ball that’s almost hitting the floor.

What makes these moments special is how rare they are. Even at the highest levels, players rely on their hands 99% of the time. When a kick save works, it’s exciting precisely because it’s so unexpected.

What to do in training and drills?

Here’s my advice for incorporating this into your practice routine: don’t.

I’m serious. Don’t waste practice time working on kick techniques.

While knowing how to use your feet in a pinch is good, your training should prioritize traditional skills like passing, setting, and spiking. 

If you really want to be prepared for emergency situations, work on your diving technique and pancake digs. These will serve you much better than practicing kicks.

The only exception might be a fun drill at the end of practice where you play around with unconventional techniques. But even then, it shouldn’t take away from your core skill development.

Remember: every minute you spend on kicking is a minute you’re not spending on skills that actually win matches.

Common Questions About Kicking in Volleyball

Why don’t professional players kick the ball more often?

Simple: control and consistency.

Professional players have incredible ball control with their hands and arms. Kicking introduces unpredictability and reduces precision. They only use their feet in true emergency situations when no other option exists.

My Final Thoughts

Look, I get it. When you first learn that kicking is legal in volleyball, it’s tempting to want to add it to your game. It seems cool and unexpected.

But here’s what I learned through years of competitive play: the fundamentals win matches. Consistency wins matches. Being in the right position at the right time wins matches.

Kicking the ball? That’s your backup plan when everything else has failed.

If you take one thing away from this guide, let it be this: Yes, you can kick the ball in volleyball, and no, you shouldn’t hesitate if you need to. But don’t make it part of your regular game.

Focus on developing rock-solid fundamentals. Work on your passing platform, your setting touch, your approach timing. Get your footwork dialed in so you’re always in position to make plays with your hands.

Then, when that rare moment comes where a kick save is your only option, you’ll do it confidently, knowing it’s completely legal.

During my playing days—from those high school tournaments in Minnesota through college competition and even now in recreational leagues—the players I respected most were the ones who made the hard plays look easy through positioning and technique. Not the ones trying to show off with flashy foot saves.

Master the basics, play smart, and save the kicks for emergencies. That’s the path to becoming a great volleyball player.

Now get out there and play! And if you do make an incredible kick save, I want to hear about it.

Keep spiking,
Ryan Walker

Want to Improve Your Game?

If you found this guide helpful, check out these other articles:

• What is a Set in Volleyball? – Master the most important skill for running your offense
• How to Spike a Volleyball – Develop a powerful attack that opponents can’t defend
• FIVB Rulebook 2025-2028: Updates Every Player Should Know – Stay current on all the latest rule changes

Got questions about volleyball rules or techniques? Drop them in the comments below, and I’ll answer them based on my experience from high school through college competition.