Attacking

Attacking, usually spiking, is the main way teams win rallies. A good attack needs three things: an approach timed so you meet the ball at the top of your jump, contact high and in front of your hitting shoulder, and the right shot for the block in front of you.

Step-by-step guide: How to Spike →

Attack types

Spike, tip, roll shot, slide, back-row attack

Approach

Three-step, left–right–left for right-handers

Shot options

Line, cross-court, tip, roll shot, off the block

The approach in brief

Most hitters use a three-step approach, left–right–left for right-handers (left-handers reverse it): a short directional step, a long, fast power step, then a quick closing step that plants both feet. Speed up through the last two steps, swing both arms back and then up as you jump, and meet the ball high and in front of your hitting shoulder. Land on both feet, on your side of the center line (see injury prevention).

Timing is the hardest part. On a high set, start your approach as the ball nears the top of its arc; on faster, lower sets, start earlier (see tempo below). If you start farther from the net, begin a little sooner so you still meet the ball in front of your hitting shoulder.

Watch: spiking tips and three-step approach technique

Videos: Wicked Volleyball, Elevate Yourself and VolleyCountry (Jiri Popelka) on YouTube. Learn Volley is not affiliated with these channels.

Types of attack

• Spike: the full-power swing and the most common attack, driven down into the court past or off the block.
• Tip: a soft, controlled touch with firm fingertips over or around the block into an open space. It must be a clean hit: the ball can't be caught or thrown.
• Roll shot: a slower, arcing swing with topspin that clears the block and drops quickly into the court.
• Slide: a one-foot takeoff attack, usually by the middle blocker, who runs behind the setter along the net and hits on the move, so blockers struggle to follow.
• Back-row attack: a hit by a back-row player, who must take off from behind the attack line (10-foot line) if the ball is entirely above the top of the net; landing in front of the line after the hit is allowed. It adds another attacker and stretches the block.

Who hits what

• Outside hitter (left side): attacks from left front (zone 4) and gets the high outside set, including most sets when the pass is off-target. Outside hitters also pass serves, so they often hit against a well-formed block and need every shot.
• Opposite (right-side hitter): attacks from right front (zone 2), hitting sets from in front of or behind the setter, often attacks from the back row (right back, zone 1), and blocks the other team's outside hitter.
• Middle blocker: hits quick sets close to the setter and, on some teams, the slide. A middle who runs the quick approach on almost every play pulls the other team's middle blocker in, which can leave your outside or opposite facing a single block.
• Back-row attackers: outside hitters and opposites in the back row hit from behind the attack line. The pipe is a back-row attack from the middle of the back row (zone 6).

Tempo: how fast the set is

Tempo is the speed of the set, and it decides when the hitter starts the approach. Many coaches number it:

• First tempo (quick): a fast, low set, usually to the middle blocker, who is already in the air or taking off as the setter touches the ball. The block has almost no time to react.
• Second tempo: a faster, flatter set to the outside, the right side or a back-row hitter. The hitter is already into the approach as the setter touches the ball.
• Third tempo (high ball): a high set, usually to the outside or opposite. Start your approach as the ball nears the top of its arc.

Faster tempos give the block less time but need a good pass. On a poor pass the setter usually goes to a higher, safer set to an outside or opposite (see setting and When the Rally Breaks Down), so every hitter needs a reliable high-ball approach.

Where to hit: shot selection

• Line: down the sideline nearest you, when the block leaves it open.
• Cross-court (angle): across your body to the deep opposite corner, often the biggest open area, or a sharper angle short inside the block.
• Tip: when the defense plays deep, drop the ball just behind the block or into the middle of the court. Use it as a surprise; tip too often and the defense moves up.
• Roll shot: when the set is too tight or too low to swing hard, or the defenders are close, roll the ball over the block into deep open court.
• Off the block (tooling): against a big block or a set tight to the net, aim at the outside hand of the block so the ball deflects out of bounds. A block touch that lands out is your point.
• Bad set: keep it in play with a controlled shot deep to a corner. A safe ball beats an error.

Reading the block

Look at the block as you jump, not just the ball:

• Block takes the line: the outside blocker sets up wide and covers the sideline, so hit cross-court.
• Block takes the angle: the block sets up inside, leaving the sideline open, so hit the line.
• Gap between blockers: if the middle blocker arrives late, hit through the seam between the two blockers.
• Big, well-formed block: use it off the outside hand, or tip or roll the ball into open court.

Mix your shots so defenders can't read your swing, tell your setter which sets work for you and what you see in the block, and after defending or blocking, get back to your approach start fast so you're ready to hit again.

Common attacking mistakes

• Getting under the ball: starting too early or drifting forward leaves the ball behind your head; contact it in front of you.
• Slowing down on the last step: easing off before the jump costs you height; speed up through the last two steps.
• Broad-jumping forward: a short or late last step sends you forward instead of up, so you drift under the ball and toward the net. Plant your heels, jump up and land about where you took off.
• Dropped elbow: letting the hitting elbow sink below shoulder height shortens the swing and turns the hit into a push. Draw the arm back with the elbow high.
• Arm-only swing: power comes from the approach, the jump and the rotation of your trunk, not just the shoulder.
• One shot only: attackers who always hit the same shot are easy to block and dig.
• Touching the net: touching it between the antennas while playing the ball is a fault.

Causes and fixes for each: how to spike a volleyball.

Drills and training

• Approach without the ball: rehearse footwork and arm swing until the rhythm is automatic.
• Toss-and-hit: a partner tosses or sets to you; focus on timing and contact point before adding a target.
• Target hitting: place targets down the line, cross-court and in the deep corners and track how often you hit them.
• Hitting against a block: practice tips, roll shots and shots off the block against live blockers or a coach on a box.
• Jump and strength work: plyometrics and leg, core and shoulder strength training build a higher, more powerful jump and a healthier swing.
• Video review: film your approach to check timing, takeoff and contact point.

Frequently asked questions