Spiking the ball?

Question

I have beebn playing vollyball for along time (8yrs) but when comes to spiking the ball I cant seem to get my timing down. I hit it in the net or it goes out. I can jump high enough so I dont think that is the problem. Every now and then I nail on e and it feels great but it does not happen vary often. Thanks for the info.

Answer 1

I'm going to give you a different opinion than the others.  I don't feel you can time your hitting approach by the peak of the ball because every setter you are going to encounter is going to be different, and every set is going to be different, but you want your approach to stay consistent.  And some sets might be for a specific play so you can't always leave when the ball leaves the setters hands.  For example on a 1-ball, or a short middle set, as it is called, you have to start your approach before the ball is in the setters hands, and on a high outside set, you have to wait till the ball is to deteremine where to start your approach from.  I would just tell you to keep practicing your approach with one key thing in mind... Make sure when you jump to hit the ball, that the ball is in front of you and still above the height of the net.  

You are hitting the ball out because you are getting too far under it and it's lofting.

You are hitting it in the bet because you let it drop below the height of the net.  

Just try to keep the ball in front of you and make sure when you're hitting the ball is still above the height of the net...

Keep these in mind when you practice and you'll see a good improvement.

Best Wishes!

Answer 2

the way i judge my timing with a normal set is to start my approach right after the ball has left the setters hands (assuming they are in the target position and received a decent pass).  you may have to adjust depending on how quick your approach is and how quick the set is.  also, adjust if the setter was off-target because of a bad pass.  if you have a consistent setter, it shouldn't be too difficult to get your timing down with them.

a couple important tips to hitting accurately:

make sure when you jump you are bringing both hands in the air. if you're right handed, extend your left arm out and slightly above your head.  keep your four fingers together and put your thumb out so your hand makes an L shape.  use this to sight the ball and aim.  you should be able to look up when you're in the air and through the L to see the ball.

draw your right arm back like you're pulling back a bow as you're extending the left arm out.  when you sight the ball swing through.  your hitting arm should almost touch your left thumb.  make sure to keep the ball above and in front of you so you have room for a full swing when hitting (or serving). also, if you make sure to contact the ball when you're at your highest point in your jump, that will help to lessen the chances of hitting it into the net.

make sure you contact the ball behind and on top of the ball.  also, contact it when it's far enough above the plane of the net that it clears the net with ease. snap the wrist (these 3 tips will all help with keeping the ball going downward instead of out of bounds - if the set is tighter on the net, you can snap down more, and if it's farther off the net you'll snap less so it clears the net), crunch your abs as you pull & leanyour upper body forward, and follow through the whole way with your arm.  you should be able to smack the outside of your right thigh with the side of your right hand - good rule to know if you're following through the whole way.

as far as aiming, always make sure your shoulders are square to your target and your hand is swinging through straight.  if you're trying to hit corner, turn your shoulders toward the corner before you aim and swing.  if you're going line, turn your shoulders so they're square to the net.

Answer 3

there's a simple answer: start your approach when the ball reaches its peak - and make sure you hit/snap you wrist when your arms at it longest extent.

there's not much more to it.

Answer 4

Do not listen to LL. If you start your approach when the ball is at its peak, you will be late everytime (unless the ball is set 50 feet in the air). There is no definitive time to start your approach. It depends on the type of set you get. You'll have to practice the timing. Make sure you take a 4 step approach everytime and hit the ball at the highest point that you can. Remember to snap your wrist.