How to Spike a Volleyball

To spike a volleyball, watch the set and start a fast 3- or 4-step approach as it nears the top of its arc (earlier on faster sets), then 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

Attack types and tactics: attacking guide.

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 (10-foot line).
Watch the pass, then the setter, then the set. For a high outside set, take your first step as the ball nears the top of its arc. On faster, lower sets, start earlier.
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.

A right-handed outside hitter (OH) starts outside the court near the left sideline, about 3–4 m from the net, at or just behind the attack line.

OH = outside hitter, S = setter. L and R = left and right footprints. Left-handers reverse the footwork.

The setter sets high to the outside. Watch the set: take your first step as the ball nears the top of its arc.
Step 1, left: short and directional, toward where the ball will come down.
Step 2, right: the long, fast power step. Swing both arms back.
Step 3, left: a quick closing step. Plant both heels, left foot slightly ahead, and jump.
You came in from the left of the ball’s path, so the ball is in front of your right shoulder.

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.

The arm swing

1. Draw the bow

Correct

Non-hitting arm points up at the ball. Hitting elbow high, hand near your ear.
2. Swing

Correct

Shoulder, then elbow, then hand, like a hard throw. Pull the non-hitting arm down.
3. Contact high, in front

Correct

At your highest reach, slightly in front of your hitting shoulder. Snap the wrist for topspin.

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 quick, soft touch with firm fingertips over or around the block to an open spot, usually the middle of the court just behind the block. Keep it a clean hit: no catching or throwing.
Free ball over: on a bad set, keep it in play deep to a corner. A safe ball beats an error.

From the hitter’s side: two blockers at the net. Look at the block and the defense as you jump.

OH = outside hitter (you). B = blocker.

Line: straight down the sideline closest to you, when the block leaves a gap there.
Cross-court (angle): across your body to the deep opposite corner. Often the biggest open area.
Tip: a quick touch with firm fingertips over the block to the open spot just behind it. A clean hit, never a push or a catch.
Off the block: aim at the outside blocker’s hands…
…so the ball deflects out of bounds. The ball touched the block, so it’s your team’s point.

Roll shots, hitting off the block and more shot choices: attacking.

Step 6: Land on both feet

Land on both feet at the same time, balls of the feet first, knees bent and in line with your toes.
Land roughly where you took off. If you drift into the net, your last step was too short or too late.
Stay on your side of the center line, then get ready for the next ball.

Land on your side

Both feet, own side

Correct

Both feet at the same time, knees bent and in line with your toes, roughly where you took off.
Whole foot across the line

Wrong

Under FIVB rules a foot that lands completely past the center line is a fault, and a common cause of ankle injuries.

Stay legal: net, center line and back-row rules

Rule required by the named rulebook. Team agreement a choice this team makes; other teams may choose differently. Practice cue a simplified instruction for practice.

Rule: Net: touching the net between the antennas while playing the ball (including the takeoff, hit and landing) is a fault. (FIVB 2025–2028, rule 11.3.1)
Rule: Hand over the net: after an attack hit, your hand may pass over the net as long as you contacted the ball on your side. (FIVB 2025–2028, rule 11.1.2)
Rule: Center line: 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. (FIVB 2025–2028, rules 11.2.2.1 and 11.4.3)
Rule: Back row: if you're in the back row and the ball is completely above the top of the net when you hit it, you must take off from behind the attack line. Landing in front of the line afterward is fine. (FIVB 2025–2028, rules 13.2.2 and 13.3.3)

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.

Common mistakes and fixes

What happens	Usual cause	Try this
Ball goes into the net	Ball too far in front; arm swing too low	Start on time (see Step 1) and get all the way to the ball; reach higher; contact in front of the shoulder, not below it
Ball goes long	Ball behind your head; no wrist snap	Start the approach later so the ball is in front; snap the wrist over the top
Under the ball / cramped	Started too early	Start your approach as the set nears the top of its arc (earlier on faster sets)
Drifting into the net	Last step too short or leaning forward	Plant heels first and jump up, not forward
Weak hit	Arm-only swing, no shoulder rotation	Draw the bow: elbow high, rotate shoulders, throw through

Practice plan (20 minutes)

Footwork only: 10 approaches with arm swing, no ball.
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.
Standing hit: a partner on a box or chair holds up a ball; you jump and hit it out of their hand. 10 reps.
Toss-and-hit: a partner tosses a high ball near the net; you approach and hit to a target zone (zone 1 or 5).
Shot practice: 5 line, 5 cross, 5 tips. Call your shot before the toss.

Watch: the arm swing for beginners

How to Attack a Volleyball for Beginners: The Arm Swing

What to watch for: Arm swing mechanics for spiking: a loose wrist that snaps over the ball and a full follow-through, plus tips for extra power. Part 2 of a 3-part beginner series.

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

Deep dive: why spikers use topspin

Without spin, only gravity pulls a hard-hit ball down, so a hard, flat swing often carries past the end line. Topspin adds a second downward force (the Magnus effect) that curves the ball into the court. 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

Is tipping legal?

Yes, as long as the ball is hit cleanly and not caught or thrown.

How do I hit harder?

Swing faster, not harder: a quick approach, a full arm swing with shoulder rotation and a wrist snap add more power than muscling the ball with your arm.

Rules on this page checked on 5 October 2026 against: FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025–2028.