When you play volleyball, when should you being your 4 step approach?

Question

When you play volleyball, when should you being your 4 step approach?

Answer 1

When the ball is at its peak. Sometimes, timing varies though. The important thing to be able to get used to it is just to practice it over and over until you get your timing perfect! Also, if you have more than one setter and they set differently, be sure to learn how to adapt your approach to the set.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

you want to start your approach when after the setter sets it, the ball is at its highest arch in the air. it'll give you enough time to get to the net and hit the ball. the timing's difficult, so don't give up! :]

Answer 3

Answer 1 doesn't apply as timing comes differently with each type of set, and please, if you are serious about volleyball, do not listen to answer 2.

The four step approach is great for 2 purposes, maybe more, but these are the more important. As it is an approach mostly for an outside hitter, sometimes opposite, (because middles, are much much quicker and most of the time shorter sets) it only really applies in this position.

The most effective time to use a four step approach is if you are playing outside, and happen to be in position 4 (outside), or 3 for that matter depending on how your coach sets up rotation, if you are good enough at defense, you will pull back and play back row on serve receive. From there, you have an amazing opportunity to take the first set. It gives you an amazing head start at gaining momentum for a more powerful hit, as well as a higher jump. You will see this a lot in college, and all the time in men's even on the right side. Which brings me to my next point, and a response to answer B.

If you are taking volleyball seriously, and have a good year or more left of your high school volleyball career, and especially if you want to continue playing on after, you have plenty of time to get it down. My family is hardcore volleyball players with 3 of us playing/played in college, and in less than a season, we taught our 9th grade sister how to do it. She went varsity her freshmen year and led the entire team in offensive stats. It's definitely something you want to put in your game. Practice practice practice, sometimes only using a four step. Definitely take form into consideration. Once you get into bad form, it is near impossible and takes much longer to correct your initial mistakes. Right.....left, right, left. Switch it if you are left handed. Get the form right first and power and accuracy will come soon enough, but you will be the one killing the ball while everyone else is hitting soft shots.

Once you got it down, use it every time there is a free ball. You will have enough time to transition from the block, and get back for a big approach. Also if your defense can get your setter a high enough pass you should have enough time to get back for a four step. Anytime where you get a good three feet behind the ten foot line is a good time to use it as well. Any other questions feel free to ask. Remember, correct form=consistent accuracy.

Answer 4

don't leave till the ball leaves the setter.  Can't go anywhere if you don't know where to go.  The setter can't make the ball perfect every time.

Answer 5

Well the person who answered before me is right, however if you are still beginning you should not think too much about steps. Get used to hitting the ball and your form will come together on its own. If you focus too much on the steps you will jump too late most likely. Its better to just get a good hit without having a great form than having a bad hit with good form.

Answer 6

You have the option to do 3-step, 4-step, and 5-step approach.

The more step you take, the more horizontal speed you can get, but you will need more leg power to convert h-speed to vertical jump... so some prefer 5-step, some prefer 3-step approach.

4-step approach is more appropriate for those who have to take their right foot out for the first step, and for those hitting in position 2 (front right). It would give you more flexibility if your first step is more to the "outside" of the court, so that when you hit from position 4 (left front) it would be to your best benefit to take your first step with your left foot; and when you hit from position 2, take your first step with your right foot.

You will need to adjust the starting distance (from the net or from the hitting spot) when using different steps in approach.

Hope this helps.