Universidade de Coimbra Faculdade De Cincias Do Desporto E Educao Fsica

The Attack In Volleyball

1. General characteristics
Spiking is the predominant skill used in a teams attack. To win the game, each side tries to conclude its

own series of plays with a powerful spike.

Although spiking is the main method used to win the game, from the point of view of training

methodology, however, coaches must try not to

overemphasize this element. A team of only attackers wont be able over the long run to play the game successfully. So, the attack is as important as the other technical elements from volleyball in order to do a successful game.

2. Executing the spike

Principles of execution are given for each of the four phases of spiking: 1. preparation (ready position); 3. jump;

2. approach;

4.

arm swing.

Preparation (ready position)

The spiker must move away from the net so that he/she can approach with as many steps as required. - The spiker should be in a flexed position with one foot forward, leaning toward the approved direction. - The arms are dangling from the shoulders. - The body weight is balanced but ready to move over the lead foot. - The eyes should be focused on the setter. The key is to be ready to move quickly, but to stay relaxed.

The approach
The most used method is the basic

four-steps approach. In this approach, righthanded hitters start on the right foot and lefthanded on the left. - Arm movements are extremely important to the approach and jumping process. Those movements should be relaxed and natural.

- The arm position in the last two steps is not quite as natural. When the foot
reaches out on the third step, both arms reach as far back and as high as physically possible. The arms should be straight and the hands relaxed.

- As the last step is being initiated, the arms come forward.

The jump
The basic spike jump should be as vertical as possible. Therefore,
players must allow for a degree of horizontal journeying. - The angle at which the knees and ankles are flexed varies with the player

and his/her individual characteristics.

- The forward lifting movement of the arms should be coordinated with the straightening of the legs.

The players must be powerful, but relaxed.

The arm swing

The motion of spiking is a motion where the spiker uses a throwing motion, but hit the ball, and the spiker is in the air, hitting a moving target. - The elbow should be drawn back, high and away from the shoulder. - The hand should be open and relaxed. - The shoulder moves toward the point of contact, followed quickly by the elbow, then by the hand. - The hips should rotate with the shoulders. The player should try to contact the ball as high and as far in front of the head as can be controlled, keeping the hand open and loose. The hand contacts the top of the ball, heel first, and spread out over the ball. The follow-through will be natural because the gravity controls it. The player must control the landing point and the finishing arm position.

3. Errors (E) and corrections (C)

E: hit goes too long. C: the player should starts his/her approach later and accelerate; to contact the ball as high and as far in front of his/her hitting shoulder as can be controlled (stay behind the ball); to hit the top of the ball with a loose wrist and an open hand and snap. E: hit goes into the net. C: the player should contact the ball as high and far in front of his/her head as can be controlled; to keep his/her hand up after snapping over the ball instead of pulling through; to keep his/her head up; to aim for the back line. E: attack results in a net foul. C: the player should jump vertically by pulling his/her arms through and up; to take off on both feet, heels to toes, simultaneously as arms lift up; to jump closer to the point of contact; always be aware of where he/she and the ball are in relation to the net. If the ball is set tight, swing parallel with the net, hitting as much of the ball as is available.

E: the hit ball does not fall to the floor quickly enough. C: the ball must be contacted on its lower back with the heel of the hand and rolling the fingers over the top of the ball by snapping the wrist. E: player cannot hit hard. C: the player should swing his/her arm loose and quicker; to hit the ball in line with his/her body; to stay behind the ball.

E: player is unable to get a good swing in transition. C: the player should always make himself/herself available when his/her team is in control of the ball by getting away from the net so he/she can approach and the setter can set the ball between the player and the net. E: the attacker lacks height on the jump. C: it is extremely important that when the two-footed take off is executed, the heels be planted first to convert horizontal momentum into vertical momentum. Swinging both arms forcibly upward also helps.

4. Exercises (for learning the attack)

1. Learning the spike (preparatory drills): experiment with approach rhythm and take-off (take-off position identical to landing position); practice planting the feet aggressively; plant your right foot and pivot on it, put left leg in front sideways, with the foot turned slightly inwards. 2. Learning the spike (preparatory drills): approach, jump up at a given point; approach (holding a small ball), jump and throw the ball over the net; smash the volley ball indirectly against wall (stand erect when hitting; cupping hands around ball). 3. Spiking with stationary ball: coach or a player holds the ball at the correct height and distance from the net, and the attacker does the execution of the spike (first only touches the ball, without spiking it; then spikes the ball powerfully); attacker can concentrate on spiking without having to consider flight path. 4. Spiking after balls thrown: coach or a player throws the ball and the attacker approaches, jumps, and catches the ball in the air, near the net; after that, the attacker spikes the ball over the net; balls are thrown to player at medium height; simplify coordination of the approach with flight path of ball.

5. Spike after tossing ball to setter: concentrate on completing one action first, then proceed with the next one. Wait for set, then approach quickly. Practice this exercise from all offensive positions. 6. Spike after ball tossed by coach: attacker pass the ball to coach/a player, the coach/player tosses the ball high in the air, and the attacker executes the attack (spike) with all its phases. Several players take turns hitting the ball; attackers can concentrate completely on approach and hitting of the spike. 7. Toss ball to yourself offensive pass: earning offensive jump pass. Watch partner when practicing and play directly to him with a two-handed pass. Variation: defensive player changes position when taking off. 8. After intermediate pass spike to moving and fixed targets: learn different strength required by changing distance from net; make offensive passes to target (alternate between short/long). Score.

9. Learning offensive combinations: co-ordination in timing and position between setter and one attacker. Attacker assumes position in front of or behind setter and receives a short set. If ball is passed toward position 3 attacker behind the setter; if pass is toward position 2 attacker in front of setter.

5. Conclusions
Coaches should ensure that when feeding the ball players use different types of shots and aim at specific targets. Once these skills have been learned adequately, players can proceed to offensive training primarily using complex drills that closely stimulate near-game situations. Attackers must then match their actions with various game situations and must make tactical decisions. They will quickly notice that it is better to attack carefully and safely than running up and smashing the ball indiscriminately. Team play between setter and attacker is also very important for successful offensive training. Coaches must ensure from the beginning that players dont set automatically from the same position but adapt to changing setting positions, directions, variations in flight path and speed of ball.