1) SPIKER VS BLOCKER: 5 STRATEGIES TO SUCCESSFUL ATTACKING

2) TIMING YOUR HIT: 4 STEP SYSTEM TO LEARNING TIMING

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1) SPIKER VS BLOCKER: 5 STRATEGIES TO SUCCESSFUL ATTACKING

The best spikers are deceptive and have a variety of different shots. Here are 5 strategies to becoming a dominant hitter.

5 strategies to successful attacking...

1. Develop a great jump and hard hit

If you jump high and hit really hard you can really intimidate your opponent. Also, other shots are more likely to be a success because you can catch the defense sitting back on their heels anticipating a hard hit.

Jumping high also allows you to have more angles to hit the ball into the court. Hitting hard makes the defense have less time to react and you’ll be more likely to put the ball away.

2. Learn to put spin on the ball

Learn to put top spin, side spin, and no spin (float) on the ball.

Top spin is important because it allows you to hit sharper angles.

Side spin is effective for hitting off blockers rebounding the ball outside the court or toward the antenna. Side spin can also be useful for going sharp angle cross-court. Balls with side spin are also harder for the defense to dig.

For playing outdoors (sand or grass volleyball) top spin will make the ball drop quicker, especially when hit into the wind.

Back spin can be an effective outlet for a player set really tight. The hitter can hit the ball up into the block deflecting it off the blockers hands. The ball then rebounds up and back to your side allowing your team another chance for a pass, set, and kill.

3. Develop off-speed shots and tips.

You’re much better off developing many different kinds of attacks because this will keep your opponents guessing what you are going to do next.

The off-speed hit can be very deceptive because it looks just like your hard attack hit. This is especially effective when your opponent is expecting a real hard hit. The spiker eases up and drops the ball short leaving the defense off balance and not able to react.

The key is to make your approach and arm swing look just like your hard attack looks.

An example of a tip shot is when instead of swinging and hitting the ball, the attacker gently pushes the ball with their fingers tipping the ball over.

4. Learn how to joust

There will be times when the attacker gets set too close to the net. The attacker needs to learn how to play the ball when both the attacker and blocker are making a play on the ball at the same time.

Many hitters try to push the ball strongly through the block. This isn't usually the best method to winning a joust.

The best way to win a joust is to hold your ground and wait until the last second to push through. Also, don’t push down through the block. You’ve probably noticed smaller players usually win the joust. This is usually because they have the strongest angle (push up and out).

5. Learn to tool the block (wipe off)

If you’re a weaker attacker or you’re up against a strong block, the attacker might use a swiping technique pushing the ball into the block off the blockers hands. This is effective when the set is tight to the net or when the blockers penetrate well.

When performing the wipe off, the best technique is usually to slightly hesitate waiting for the blockers to descend then sweep the ball off the blockers hands pushing the ball through and towards out of bounds.