Helpful tips on becoming ambidexterous in volleyball...?

Question

i have been playing volleyball for about 4 years now. i am no in my 2nd year of college on my school's club team. i am 5'6", but my jumping/spiking abilities are pretty decent so i normally play OH or OPP. over the past year, i have really been playing a lot of volleyball and trying to patch up any holes in my game. however, there is one thing that i have not worked on, which is spiking with my left hand. it never occurred to me as being a realistic or even practical goal, but my thoughts of that have changed. just in the past day, i have tried to hit the ball a few times using my left hand and a left handed approach and surprisingly, i feel like i am catching on. besides the obvious working on approach, are there any strategies on quickly and effectively attaining this goal? while my lack of height has never been a major issue in my game (except blocking maybe), i feel like my game would be much more complete if i am able to spike the ball with both arms equally and with proper form.

Answer 1

i'm an ambidexterous middle.  honestly i really just took me practice.  i got used to doing tips and push dinks for like a few days, then once my body got used to it i started swinging away.  it really just took me time and practice.  but you'll get it. =]

Answer 2

I am a alumni Volleyball Coach. Here is what you can do, First of all to understand why it feel funny to spike with your left is because it feels heavy to move. What you want to do is make the muscle feel light so you can pick it up and slam down. Get an arm weight strap it around your left wrist, If you play basketball start dunging with your left hand.. Swing your arm above your head for 20 minutes. Better yet put an arm weight on the right wrist . Do this for one week  Then try to use the left arm and spike over the net. Do this exercise as long as you want but exercise both arms. The left arm muscule will get lighter and stronger as you continue to exercise the wrist.  I hope this helps.

Answer 3

When hitting left handed try swinging line only for about a week. After you accomplish that skill you can try swinging cross. Hitting left handed is hard, you need to get totally opposite that if you were hitting right handed. Instead of keeping the ball out in front keep it more on top of you when hitting left handed. It will become easier in the end!

-Jourdan

Answer 4

I saw a television 'news' item from Australia - it basically said, that if you practiced 20 minutes a day for two months, you can use your other hand. This included handwriting.

I have played social volleyball for about 18 years now, starting with not knowing how to play properly. I have picked up most of the techniques - and have started using my left hand for spiking (I'm right handed). The reasoning - is that some times you are in the wrong body position, such that it would be easier to spike left handed, rather than using your right hand. After a while you'll start doing this automatically.

I always do warm ups with my left arm, like left handed spikes against the wall, before a game, with only a few right handed.

You can of course, do left handed spike serves - especially when your normal serves are winning points all the time, and everyone is getting bored by your success.

Sufficient practice will get you to achieve your goal(s) - it's a matter of just doing it.

I am working on doing a left-handed windmill serve.