Techniques for improved attacking in volleyball
Volleyball is a game that requires vigorous practice and constant improvement of skills from the players who plan to make the sport a big part of their lives. Apart from being athletic and having a good stamina, it is important for the volleyball players
to have certain skills that are essential in playing the game. Some of these skills are basic while the others are specialized. However, for players to stand out in a team of six players, they need to adopt at least one of the specialized skills.
The following quote about volleyball by David Beard reveals the hard work necessary in volleyball, “Volleyball is the sport through which I am able to express my God given talents of being an athlete. It is a sport which involves relating, pushing, and encouraging
your teammates.”
The specialized skills that volleyball players have include setting, attacking and spiking etcetera. If a volleyball team has a good attacking side, the chances of its winning a game increase tenfold. However, it is not an easy task to develop good attacking
skills in the players. If a player wants to improve his or her attacking skills, the following techniques may be practiced in training sessions and made a part of regular play.
A good attacking technique may be divided into steps. If a player learns each of these steps and carries them out in a sequence, with repetition, the attacking ability of that player will improve significantly. In essence, there are four parts to a good
attack.
The first is called the ‘approach’ in which the player moves to position his or her body in the air in order to make a hit on the ball. The next step is the ‘take-off’ in which the player uses both of the legs to make a jump in order to make the contact
with the incoming ball. The third step is called the ‘mid-air contact’ in which the player is in the air and gets ready to hit the ball. The posture of the player in this position should be that the arm with which the hit is to be made is stretched straight
back and upwards. A good approximation of the distance would be to have the arm about six inches behind the ball. The attacker should make sure that as he or she hits the ball, the contact should be made at the highest point of the jump. The last part of a
good attack is called the ‘landing’ which should be properly done or the player may stumble and not be ready in time to make the next hit. The attacking player should make sure that when he or she lands, it is done on the balls of the feet while the knees
of the player should be bent.
When a player is making the approach, care should be taken that it is in alternate steps. Not only that, these steps should be fast, small and contact with the ground should be minimum. For a player who is right handed, the first step should be with the
right foot. Similarly, for a player who is left handed, the first step should be taken with the left foot.
If volley players who want to be good hitters practice these techniques while they attack the ball, the improvement in their level of performance will be significant.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not represent Bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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