Position of Ball at Contact

Articles In This Section:

· The Spike

· History of Spiking

· Requisites of the Good Spiker

· How to Contact the Ball

· Where to Contact the Ball

· Position of Ball at Contact

· Position of Ball in Relation to Shoulder

· Position of Ball in Relation to Net

· How to Take Off, Hit, and Land - Part 1

· How to Take Off, Hit, and Land - Part 2

· Strategy in Spiking

· Recovery and Defense

· General Skills

· Team Play and Morale

Most players stand aghast when they see a small man spike the ball with more skill than some tall men. A little close attention and study will reveal that the secret is timing. In order to spike a ball successfully, it is only necessary that the ball be contacted a very short space above the top of the net. Contrary to some opinion, there is no hard and fast rule about height of the ball when contacted. Common sense shows the important matter to be that of the spiker and ball arriving at the same time some place above the net tape.

A good spiker should practice hitting the ball at various distances above the net. He should practice with setters to employ variety, with both high and low sets, and with sets straight up into the air as well as from various angles. Our American players will not reach their greatest potential as spikers as long as they insist, as most of them have in the past, on the prosaic 1-2-3 game, with the setter always near the net and setting the ball from the same angle all the time. Balls should be set from every possible direction, and the spiker should study his position and approach so he can hit from any of those angles. Most spikers, when trying these angle shots, crowd the ball too much. It is best to step back a step or two when attempting to hit a ball set from far across the court or from a front corner of the center-back position.