How to Spike a Volleyball

To spike a volleyball, wait until the set leaves the setter's hands, then take a fast 3- or 4-step approach, jump off both feet, and swing your hitting arm like a throw so you contact the ball high and slightly in front of your hitting shoulder. Snap your wrist over the top for topspin, then land on both feet, softly, on your side of the net. Timing the approach is the hardest part, so practice it more than the swing.

Approach

3 or 4 steps

Contact point

Highest reach, in front of hitting shoulder

Key wrist action

Snap for topspin

Landing

Both feet, knees bent

For attack types and tactics, see the attacking guide. This page goes step by step through a spike, from the approach to the landing.

Step 1: Start in the right spot and wait

• Outside hitters (right-handed) start outside the court near the left sideline, about 3–4 m from the net, at or just behind the attack line.
• Watch the pass, then the setter. Don't start moving until the ball is on its way to the setter, and for a high set, until it leaves the setter's hands.
• Right-handers approach from the left of the ball's path, so the ball ends up in front of the right shoulder.

Step 2: Run the approach

For a right-handed 3-step approach: left – right – left. For a 4-step: add a short right step at the start. Left-handers reverse it.

• First step: short and directional. Pick the line toward where the ball will come down.
• Second step (the "power step"): long and fast. Swing both arms back as you take it.
• Last step: quick, closing step; plant both heels first, feet about shoulder width, the left foot slightly ahead for right-handers.
• Speed up through the approach. Many beginners slow down at the end and lose their jump.
• Footwork drills and patterns: approach footwork drill.

Step 3: Jump and load the arm

• Drive both arms forward and up as you take off.
• Your non-hitting arm points up at the ball to help you track it and balance.
• Pull your hitting arm back: elbow high, at or above shoulder height, hand near your ear, like a bow being drawn.
• Rotate your shoulders slightly away from the net to load.

Step 4: Contact high and in front

• Swing fast: shoulder first, then elbow, then hand, like throwing a ball hard down to the floor.
• Pull the non-hitting arm down to your side as you swing. It helps your trunk rotate.
• Hit at the highest point of your reach, with the ball slightly in front of your hitting shoulder. If it's behind your head, you'll hit it long; too far in front and you'll hit it into the net.
• Open, firm hand covering the ball. Contact the top-back of the ball and snap your wrist over it so the ball spins forward.
• After an attack hit, your hand may pass over the net as long as you contacted the ball on your side.

Step 5: Choose your shot

A hard hit isn't always the best hit. Look at the block and defense as you jump.

• Line: down the sideline closest to you, when the block leaves a gap there.
• Cross-court (angle): across the body, to the deep opposite corner. Often the biggest open area.
• Tip: a soft, open-hand push over or around the block to an open spot, usually the middle of the court just behind the block. It must be a clean hit, not caught or pushed.
• Roll shot: a slower, high-arcing swing with topspin to deep open space.
• Off the block (tool): aim at the outside hand of the block so the ball deflects out.
• Free ball over: on a bad set, keep it in play deep to a corner. A safe ball beats an error.

More on shot selection: attacking.

Step 6: Land safely and legally

• Land on both feet at the same time, balls of the feet first, knees bent and over your toes.
• Land roughly where you took off. If you drift into the net, your last step was too short or too late.
• Net: touching the net between the antennas while playing the ball (including the takeoff, hit and landing) is a fault.
• Center line: under FIVB rules, your foot may touch the opponent's court only if part of that foot stays on or above the center line and you don't interfere with their play. Landing fully across is a fault and a common cause of ankle injuries.
• Back-row players must take off from behind the attack line to hit a ball that is completely above the net.

Safety: Warm up first, land on both feet with soft knees and stay on your side of the center line. See warm-up and common injuries.

Fix the common problems

Practice plan (20 minutes)

1. Footwork only: 10 approaches with arm swing, no ball.
2. Throw-down: stand and throw a ball hard down to the floor with your hitting motion, 10 reps. Then hit a ball you toss yourself into the floor so it bounces off a wall.
3. Standing hit: a partner on a box or chair holds up a ball; you jump and hit it out of their hand. 10 reps.
4. Toss-and-hit: a partner tosses a high ball near the net; you approach and hit to a target zone (zone 1 or 5).
5. Shot practice: 5 line, 5 cross, 5 tips. Call your shot before the toss.

Watch it

Video: Sarah Pavan Volleyball on YouTube. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.

Deep dive: why spikers use topspin

A ball hit hard and flat keeps rising until gravity slowly pulls it down, so it often lands past the end line. Topspin creates extra downward force on the ball as it travels, bending its path toward the floor. That lets hitters swing harder and still keep the ball in the court. It also makes the ball kick off a defender's arms. The wrist snap at contact is what puts that spin on the ball, which is why coaches spend so much time on it.

Frequently asked questions