Hitting – Spiking

Things to do

• Explode
  • Right – Left finish. (right-handers)
  • Left – Right finish. (left-handers)
  • Make the step preceding the jump a long and explosive one.
• Hips
  • Jump with hips open to the net
  • Land with hips facing the direction the ball was hit
• Swing Arms
  • Swing both arms back and then pull yourself up by swinging both arms forward
• Bow And Arrow
  • As you jump, pull hitting arm back with the elbow and hand at shoulder height or higher.
  • Hitting hand open and relaxed, with the palm facing away from the ear.
• Elbow & Pull
  • Elbow should swing forward and raise above the head.
  • “Pull” yourself over the net with the non-hitting hand
• Reach High – Jump Up to max height
  • Arm and hand swing over the top as the heal of the hand contacts the ball.
  • Contact the ball with a straight arm slightly in front of and as high as possible above the hitting shoulder
• Swing Fast (speed=power)
• Aim by slightly turning the hand
• Crunch & Snap
  • Crunch your stomach as you bring your non-hitting hand down
  • Snap through the ball with palm and fingers.

Things to avoid

• Bobbing up and down on your approach
• Waiting under the ball for it to come to you
• Jumping without opening hips
• One footed jump
• Ball hit with fist instead of open hand
• Ball hit across your body
• Non-hitting hand staying up in the air
• “Shot-put” arm action