Coaching Tip: Six Basic Attack Movements

Paula Weishoff, Concordia University, CA, Women's Head Volleyball Coach

The spike, or attack, is a volleyball team's primary way of scoring points in a volleyball match. The attack itself consists of six basic body movements. They are:

Approach: This is the number of steps the player takes to the ball.

Plant (or step close): This is how the player positions their feet for the jump.

Jump: This is how the player positions their body in the air.

Arm Swing: There are different types: bow and arrow, straight arm, circular and roundhouse.)

Contact and Follow Through: This is how the player positions their hand on the ball and continues the swing after the attack.

Landing: This is how the player positions their feet when they land after the attack.

Courtesy of "The Volleyball Coaching Bible," edited by Don Shondell and Cecile Reynaud.

Drill for Success: Team vs. Ball

Coach Jim Stone, www.volleyballsolutions.com

This is a competitive game where the players compete against the ball. The players score if they control each contact, ending in a successful attack. If the team takes care of the ball, they will usually score the point. The ball scores if the players do not pass, set and attack with accuracy. This drill emphasizes serving, passing and attacking while teaching that the ball (like some teams) can only score if the team gives them a point.

The drill requires two groups to operate in unison with each other. The illustration above shows the rotational path of players. All twelve players must operate as a team so each position always has a player ready to go.

The drill proceeds as follows:

• Simultaneously, servers from both sides will serve over the net to passer. Emphasis is on an accurate serve, which goes to the passer.
• Passer will pass ball to setter and proceed to attack a left front set.
• Setter will set ball to left front attack area.
• Passer/Hitter will attack ball into other court, preferably down the line to avoid hitting passer on other side of the net.
• Now all players rotate:
  • Passer/Hitter rotates to setting line on same side
  • Setter rotates to serving line on same court
  • Server rotates to passer/hitter on other side of court
  • Both sides of the court rotate the same. So, there should always be two people in each position (serve, pass, set)
• Scoring: players get a point if ball is successfully attacked. Ball gets a point if any contact (serve, pass, attack) does not result in good attack. Game plays to 25 points.

 

Rules Trivia

By Marcia Alterman, NCAA Women's Rules Interpreter

FACT or FICTION? Team A is serving. The serve is contacted before the referee whistles and beckons for service. The referees should not sanction or penalize Team A, but simply signal replay and re-authorize the service.

FACT! NCAA Rule 13.1.3.7 states: "If the ball is served before the first referee's authorization for service, the serve is canceled, a replay is signaled, and the service is re-authorized."



 

here to receive our newsletter via email.

 

Back to top