How To Spike A Volleyball

Ever wonder how to get that winning spiked ball into your opponents court. Well here is the quick and dirty how to and some observations to help you adapt this into your game play.

1. Stretch your arms and legs for 10-20 seconds each before starting. This will reduce your risk of pulling a muscle or injuring yourself.

2. Position yourself behind the 10-foot line (attack line), which is the line that is about 4 feet away from the net. If you have long legs or take bigger steps, stand a little farther back. If you are left handed, you may want to spike on the right side of the court, and on the left if you are right handed. If you are tall or can jump higher, try the middle.

3. Watch the setter. If you are playing outside (left) hitter, call “Outside, outside” and similarly if you are middle or back (also called weak side because it’s the setter’s weak side). Many teams come up with codes for each side, so use them if yours does. If your team uses numbers for the sets, make sure you call the right number.

4. Start your approach after the ball is set. If you are right-handed, your approach should be “Left foot, right foot-left foot, jump” and vice versa if you are left-handed. The last two steps should place your feet at somewhat of a 45-degree angle from the net.

5. Prepare to jump. As you take the last two steps, extend your arms downwards and backwards and bend your knees.

6. Jump right before you reach the ball. Keep in mind you want to jump a little bit forward to be able to hit the ball harder. You want to make contact with the ball in front of you, not directly overhead. Keep your eye on the ball, and leap up, swinging your arms up in front of you (it will help you jump higher, but be careful to not contact the net for it results in a penalty).

7. Prepare to hit the ball. As you’re in the air, point to the ball with your weak hand, and pull your hitting hand back so that the back of your hand is right next to your ear–just as if you’re pulling a bow and arrow. You should use your weak hand as a guide for your hit.

8. Extend your hitting hand straight out above you, and hit the ball, contacting the upper half of the ball with the heel of your open hand at the very top of your swing. Again, the contact point should always be in front of your head, not above it.

9. Snap your wrist downward to impart topspin and direct the ball down into your opponent’s court while spreading your fingers.. Be careful not to “carry” or “hold” the ball for even a second.

10. Follow through. Bring your arm down “through” the ball and next to your body. Be sure to bend your knees to absorb the shock when you land.

At this point, you have the information to be a powerful striker and with practice this can be reality. Take it in stride and focus your body and mind to the top of the charts winning volleyball trophies as the home prize.