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Archive Replay
Monday, April 20, 2026
Sign of the Day
volleyball
The sign is iconic, mimicking the action of hitting a volleyball over a net
A2 Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
Today’s Snapshot
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Both hands open, fingers spread, slightly cupped
Hands move upwards and slightly forwards, mimicking hitting a ball repeatedly
Discussing sports, hobbies, or events where volleyball is played
Break It Down
Watch, build, and feel the movement
Use the numbered steps first, then check the sign anatomy cards to clean up the small details that make the sign look fluent instead of approximate.
How to form the sign
- Form both hands into open, slightly cupped shapes, fingers spread.
- Position hands mid-air, in front of upper torso/head, palms facing up/forward.
- Move both hands upwards and slightly forwards simultaneously, mimicking hitting.
- Repeat this upward motion several times quickly
Coach prompt
Practice the repeated upward hitting motion with cupped hands
Signature details
Handshape
Both hands open, fingers spread, slightly cupped · Code BSL 5-hand (cupped variant)
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Symmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palms generally face upwards/forward
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Mouth 'volleyball'
Body shift
None
Use It Today
Move from recognition to real-life use
Everything below is designed to make the sign sticky: where it feels natural, what learners miss, and how to use it without sounding robotic.
I play volleyball with friends every Tuesday
Can refer to the sport, game, or the ball itself
Best fit: Discussing sports, hobbies, or events where volleyball is played
Mirror focus
Practice the repeated upward hitting motion with cupped hands
Catch the slip
Ensure hands are cupped and movements are distinct, repeated upward hits
Use it today
I play volleyball with friends every Tuesday
Common mistakes: Not cupping hands, incorrect repeated upward movement, wrong location
When not to use it: When referring to a different sport like basketball or tennis
Regional note: Generally consistent across UK, but minor style differences possible
Cultural note: Volleyball is a popular recreational and competitive sport in the UK
1.[en] Do you like volleyball? / BSL: YOU LIKE VOLLEYBALL?
2.[en] My favourite sport is volleyball. / BSL: MY FAVOURITE SPORT VOLLEYBALL.
3.[en] Let's play volleyball later. / BSL: LATER WE PLAY VOLLEYBALL
When would a learner use the BSL sign for volleyball?
A learner would use this sign when discussing sports, hobbies, or specific events related to volleyball. It’s useful for talking about playing the game, watching it, or mentioning it as a favourite activity.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing volleyball in BSL?
Beginners often forget to cup their hands sufficiently, making them too flat. They might also not repeat the upward hitting motion enough, or place the sign too low, not in front of the upper torso and head.
Does the BSL sign for volleyball change by region or context?
The BSL sign for volleyball is fairly standard across the UK. While slight stylistic differences might exist regionally, the core handshape, movement, and location generally remain consistent, making it widely understood.
Is the BSL sign for volleyball suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, the BSL sign for volleyball is very suitable for beginners and children. Its iconic nature, directly mimicking the sport's action, makes it easy to learn, remember, and understand.
Which sign is most often confused with volleyball in BSL?
It might be confused with other ball-hitting sports like 'tennis' (often involves a striking motion with one hand) or 'basketball' (often mimics dribbling). Volleyball's distinct two-handed, upward cupped hits differentiate it.
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Word web
Beach volleyball
indoor volleyball
Sport
Ball
Net
Game
Team
Sport
Ball
Game
Team
Net
Basketball: Involves a repeated downward, circular motion, mimicking dribbling, often with one hand or alternating. Volleyball uses both hands moving upwards. Tennis: Often uses one hand mimicking a racket swing, sometimes alternating. Volleyball specifically uses both cupped hands hitting upwards. Badminton: Similar to tennis, often a lighter, quicker one-handed swing. Volleyball is distinct with its two-handed upward motion
Sport
Game
Activity
Leisure
Volleyball
sport
game
ball
net
activity
leisure
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