Spike or smash in volleyball means hitting the ball as hard as possible into the opponent's field of play on the other side of the net. You wait for the setter (also known as the tosser) to set the ball near the net, then paralyze the ball, jump, and “execute” the ball. If the ball hits the court before the opposing team can return it, your team earns a point. After learning the basics of spiking, practice different spells and work on increasing the power of your spikes.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Basics of Spike
Step 1. Take a position
Volleyball rules state that to hit the ball over the net, you must be in the front row. The most effective strokes are made from the right or left side at a sharp angle downwards. Whether you're hitting the spike from a forward right or left position, position yourself behind the 3 meter line (attack line), which is a line about four steps from the net.
- If you have long legs or are taking longer strides, stand slightly back.
- If you're right-handed, your spike may be stronger if you shoot from the left side of the court, and vice versa if you're left-handed. If you're tall and can jump higher, try starting your gun near the center of the court.
Step 2. Pay attention to the setters
People playing in middle position will set the ball high towards you, curling it in such a way that it falls near the net and is easy to spike into the opponent's field of play. Start playing after the ball is set.
- When practicing spikes, be sure to train with a skilled setter. The ball must rise and fall in a gentle arc near the net, placing the ball in the perfect position to execute.
- When training with a team, you have to tell your team-mates, so they know you hit it. Many teams use codes for each side, so use those passwords if your team has them.
Step 3. Perform proper standing
Face the ball and bend your knees so you're ready to move. If using the right hand, the left foot should be behind the right foot. If you are left-handed or left-handed, your right foot should be behind your left.
Step 4. Take the first step of welcoming the ball
Make a strong first move with your left foot into the ball's groove. If you are left-handed, do the opposite.
Step 5. Take a strong second step
Step right foot to build speed (if left-handed, step left). At the same time, swing your arms back in preparation for hitting. The distance of this second step varies, depending on the position of the ball. If the ball is closer to you, take short steps; if the ball is farther from you, take a long stride.
Step 6. Take the final step to align the legs
Take another step with your left foot (or right foot if you're left-handed) and end with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees bent. Both arms should swing back.
- Arm swing plays an important role in jump height. A well-timed swing will help the upward momentum. Practice swinging perfectly on time.
- Make sure your feet are spread as wide as new, so you don't lose your balance.
- Keep your head up to watch the ball as it falls in front of you.
Step 7. Jump when the ball falls in a ready-to-hit position
When taking the final step, the body must be at an angle of 30 degrees from the net with the shoulder of the hitting hand away from the net. Jump up explosively and swing your arms forward at the same time jumping high into the air. The higher the jump, the stronger the blow will be.
Step 8. Pull your hands back to hit
When you reach the top of the jump, both arms should swing overhead. Pull your right elbow back (or your left elbow if you're left-handed) and bend it at a 90-degree angle. The right hand should now be in line with the head.
Step 9. Hit the ball with the center of your hand
Keep your hands open by keeping all your fingers together. Rotate the arm with the shoulder axis and whip the base of the arm forward to move the hand quickly toward the ball and make contact. Flick your wrist down for a topspin and direct the ball into your opponent's field of play.
- Try hitting the ball at the top of the jump to maximize the power of the stroke.
- Bring your arms down until they “pierce” the ball and out to your sides. This is to make sure you don't lose momentum when you hit.
- Do not touch the net. Bring your arms back toward your body after hitting to avoid a foul.
- Be careful not to "hold" the ball for a second, as this is against the rules.
Step 10. Bend both knees as both feet land on the ground
This will help you regain your balance and avoid an ankle or ankle injury. Make sure not to fall into the net when landing.
Step 11. Return to the ready position
If the opposing team returns the ball, you should be back ready for action. Step away from the net and take a ready position. Don't take your eyes off the ball.
Part 2 of 3: Increase Your Strength
Step 1. Practice footwork without using the ball
When just learning how to spike, it's also important to practice footwork. Practice until you really understand the practice of volleyball and are able to practice it by heart. Remember to start behind the attack line and move towards the imaginary ball. Focus on mastering fast and powerful shooting.
Step 2. Practice swinging as hard as you can
Take a volleyball and practice hitting it against the wall, over and over again. Throw the ball in the air or set the ball to yourself, then practice pulling your hands back and spiking. Remember to jerk the base of your arm by bending your elbow and turning it toward the ball. The faster you can do this, the stronger the spike will be.
- It's great to practice alone, but there's nothing wrong with practicing with a partner who can set the ball, so you can practice all of your shooting, jumping and swinging.
- Focus on making solid contact with the ball, jerking your wrists and following through.
Step 3. Increase the height of the jump
The height of the jump depends on the overall exposure, not just the last step. Be sure to step toward the ball with full force to start building momentum. Quickly swing your arms back while bending your knees. When jumping, your whole body should move in one upward swing, putting you in the best position to spike the ball.
- Practice jumping as high as you can and always spike the ball at the top of the jump.
- Try practicing with a spike trainer. It's a kind of device that grips the ball in a high position, forcing you to jump high to hit the top of the jump and spike the ball out of the device.
Step 4. Calculate the time correctly
Knowing exactly when to hit the ball can have a huge impact on spike power. You have to calculate the correct exposure time. That way, you'll be able to make contact with the ball right at the "fit point," where your hand can hit the ball down while you're still at the top of your jump. Timing is one of the most important skills to master; You can only maximize your shots with lots of practice.
- To practice timing, you should practice with a good setter. Practice with someone who can set the ball high and in the right position for you to hit it at the top of the jump.
- Keep your eyes on the ball when shooting for a shot. If you hit the ball with your fingertips or too low with your hands, your timing is clearly wrong.
Step 5. Always follow through
Follow through is essential to get a powerful hit. Because without a follow through, you're forcing to stop the momentum of your hand before actually hitting the ball with full force. The key is to follow through without touching the net. Bend both elbows while doing the follow through. That way, you can keep your arms close to your body instead of outstretched against the net.
Step 6. Do strength exercises
Serious volleyball players perform special exercises to build the muscles of the thighs, abdomen, rotator cuff (four sets of muscles in the shoulder), and other muscles to be able to make a powerful jump into the air. Talk to a trainer to start an exercise routine that will help you jump higher. Here are some exercises to try:
- Do push ups. You can choose between placing your hands on the ground or on an exercise ball, which will help stabilize your shoulder. Do 15 push-ups for three sets, increasing the reps little by little as strength increases.
- Do slam the ball over the head with two hands. Use a medicine ball (a kind of heavy ball the size of a volleyball). Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, use your hands to swing the ball over your head, then slam the ball onto the ground. It trains the muscles of both shoulders and arms.
Part 3 of 3: Executing the Punch
Step 1. Practice the angle of the stroke
The shot becomes stronger and more effective if the ball is hit at a sharp downward angle. You want the ball to hit the ground as quickly as possible, so your opponent doesn't have time to return it. Once you have mastered the correct way of hitting, practice hitting at a sharp angle.
- Look for empty gaps in the field that are difficult for opposing players to reach. Aim for those gaps rather than hitting the ball directly at your opponent.
- By hitting from different places along the net, you can take advantage of your opponent's weak points.
- Practice your shot by hitting on the box. Stand on a tall, sturdy box at the height of your jump when you spike. Get someone to do the set and practice spiking the ball from the box to hit targets across the net.
Step 2. Learn to spot blockers
Blocker is an opposing player whose job is to block or prevent spikes from passing through the net. No matter how hard the ball is hit, if it is hit right at the blocker, a point can be missed. Apart from keeping your eyes on the ball, you also have to learn to see blockers out of the corner of your eye, so you can avoid them when you're about to hit.
- The best way to practice seeing blockers is to practice with other players across the net. When doing hitting practice, ask your teammates to try to block your spikes.
- You can dodge the blockers by aiming the shots right out of their reach.
- Remember to jerk your wrist while following through to get the ball forward (topspin); this will make it difficult for blockers to block the ball.
Step 3. Confuse opposing players by moving explosively
Moving more slowly and gracefully in welcoming the ball will give the opposing player more time to take a position to block the shot. Moving quickly and explosively will take them by surprise, and you'll have a better chance of hitting success.
- If you're not very fast moving, do sprints or sprints to increase your speed.
- It is important not to start playing until the ball has been set or has been fed by the setter; otherwise your plan will be caught by your opponent before you can hit the spike.
Step 4. Strategize with teammates
Many volleyball teams use passwords, special positioning, and other strategies to trick their opponents. Trying to annoy or confuse your opponent before spiking is a great way to open a gap on the other side, so you can score points. Check out how to play volleyball to learn more about strategy in volleyball, and what it takes to beat a tough opposing team.
Tips
- To get the ball to go down, you have to make a forward twist (topspin). To do that, the wrist must be jerked when hitting the ball. Practice hitting the ball against the wall and jerking your wrists forward.
- Shout “Me” or “Open” before you pick up the ball. This will let your teammates know that you will be picking up the ball and prevent a collision.
- The most commonly used spells for hitting are: Left, Right, Left, Jump, Spike ! Remember to remember a rhythm in your stride, as it will help you become more used to the rehearsal.
- If you're having trouble hitting the ball downwards, do exercises to increase your vertical jump so that you can jump high enough to hit the top of the ball.
- There are many types of exposure; and the explanations your trainer teaches may differ from the ones described above.
- You don't always have to spike the ball when you make an attacking shot. A well-placed dink (slow hit to an unguarded field), wipe or swipe (a light touch of the ball to an opponent's hand that blocks and goes off the field of play), or shoot set (a long, flat set onto an unguarded court) can surprise the opponent and earn points.
- If playing as a player in the middle and receiving a short set close to the net (called "B" or "2" by some teams), shooting must begin before the ball has been set.
- When jumping to spike, jump towards the net and not perpendicular. This will greatly increase the power of the spike. It depends on whether you can make the jump and time it correctly.
- When you want to hit from the right (opposite/right side hitter), shout "C", so the setter knows you're going to hit. If you're a middle hitter, shout "2" to let the setter know you're going to hit. Finally, if you want to hit from the left side (outside/ left side hitter), shout “4” to let the setter know you are going to hit.
Warning
- Remember that in an organized competitive volleyball match, there are many rules that govern who can spike the ball and how. Read the rules in your organization, and make sure you understand them.
- Do not let your hands or arms cross the net while spiking – this is considered a foul.
- Do not let both feet land past the net line, or you are considered a violation and the opponent gets a point.
- Always stretch before engaging in any strenuous physical exercise to avoid serious injury.
