Spike Approach

The spike approach is very similar to the jump serve. The only real difference is in the starting position because the player does not posses the ball during the spike approach, they are reading the set and meeting the ball to make contact. For a right hander begin with weight on the front leg (right) and take three steps, left, right, left using arms to lift the body into the air and meet the ball for contact. The right arm should be fully extended and make contact with the ball above the head and slightly in front of the right shoulder. Once contact is made with the ball and the player lands on the court they should assume the defensive blocking position at the net.

Drill: Transition and approach with set set timing

The player starts at the net in ready stance as the ball is tossed over the net the player proceeds with their transition to prepare them to hit. The player must wait for the passer to make their pass to the setter and then time the ball from the release of the setters hands to the highest point of their jump. This drill is effective for teaching timing when hitting because it makes it more of a game like situation but more controlled because there isn't another team playing the ball back.