How do I improve my volleyball spike?

Question

So, I played on my middle school volleyball team in 7th and 8th grade and now i'm trying out for freshman. my coach last year said that she'd try to make sure i'm on the team, b/c i have a really great attitude. I was at the middle/high part of my team, skill level wise. What I need to do to definitely make the team is improve my spike. I'm 5"6, just so you know. I would like some tips on how to get a better jump, and to improve my timing and possibly speed up the "Left, rightleft" part of the footwork. I know this was really long, but it's been on my mind a lot, so please answer!

Answer 1

Do push ups they improve your velocity when you spike.

Answer 2

Yeah. You need hops... Jumping rope with ankle weights will help . Hopping from side to side with both legs together. Jumping over short hurdles with both feet the same time.. That's what you need. You need to build up your legs to you hop like a freakin Easter bunny and scare the liver outta the other team.

Timing is something you just learn. that comes with knowing your setter. Most setters are fairly consistent on sets. You need to time your jump. if you miss, were you early or late? then start again. Kinda like slow pitch softball. Watch other folks and do the math. You can pretty much narrow it down to when you need to move.

Answer 3

practice, practice, practice!

Answer 4

practice makes perfect, but nobody's perfect, so why practice.

seriously, just practice.   watching some volleyball videos or games on tv would help, since some of us are better visual learner.  

also, practice your wrist strength by standing app 15 ft from a wall and spiking the ball down on the ground, letting it bounced off the wall and rebound to you so you may hit it again.   it's good to have a strong wrist strength and quickness.   this should help your contact, but for timing, you will need a good friend and partner who is willing to either toss or set the ball to you to practice.

good luck.

Answer 5

Work out your calves and thighs.  Do a lot of squats with weights in your hands.  Run bleachers on your toes... with weight in your hands.  You need to make your calf muscles into springs

Learn how to jump.  There's technique involved.  

Get your arms as low as possible. throw them into the air as you jump.  Use the momentum of your arms to lift you higher.

If your coach can't help you ask the basketball coach about jumping technique.  If no coach in the school knows find a summer camp that is sponsored by a division 1 college.  They will be able to help.

Answer 6

Hi there! Good info above, but I would like to suggest some additional resources. On the about.com website, there is an entire section devoted to volleyball, with tips and suggestions on how to improve different parts of your game....