Requisites of the Good Spiker

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

There is no physical description to fit the person who will become a good spiker. Nor are we aware of any test, or series of tests, that will predict who has the potential of becoming a great spiker.

To some degree, it is possible to say that those who are overweight, or extremely heavy, that those who cannot jump high enough to get the wrist above the net, that those whose physical endurance is such that they tire quickly, that the persons who get emotionally upset at themselves or others, are unlikely to excel in spiking a volleyball in competition.

The first requisite for spiking is to want to play. The problem of motivation, or the solution of how to motivate people, is as yet an unlocked secret. However, the desire to play volleyball must be present to a high degree, or the best "technician" of the spike will not help a team win.

The second attribute of a good spiker is the ability to get along with people. The spiker should possess a positive and social attitude of life, and should be able to resolve little conflicts within himself and those involving others. This attribute precedes the physical abilities and the playing fundamentals of the game. Unless a player wants to play and enjoys the relationships with others, he will not gain the satisfactions to continue. Nor will that person be capable of meeting game situations in tight competition.

The third attribute of a good spiker, or of any volleyball player, is excellent physical condition. This is so essential that we are devoting a separate chapter to the subject.