Approach at an Angle
One of the easiest keys to correct for any hitter is the angle of their approach. Often times you'll see players approaching directly at the net when hitting, regardless of if it's a match situation or merely a drill. It's a common mistake for under-trained players, and one that is easily corrected. Once corrected, the hitter will find themselves having an easier time hitting, an easier time adjusting, and with the ability to diversify the angles of their shots.
If taught correctly, a player will transition or slide off the court when preparing to approach and hit. This gives them the ability to approach at an angle, regardless of quality of the set.
The Butterfly
One of the most commonly used drills by any volleyball team would be the butterfly. This drill can be modified in so many variations, that it can suit any team's goals for practicing a technique. As a coach, you can uses this drill to focus on passing, setting, hitting, blocking, defense, footwork, technique, reading hitters/passers/blockers/servers. It's really exponential.
During the "early development" phase of coaching beginning volleyball players, this drill is extremely useful in progressing from a static toss and pass, toss and set, toss and hit "blocked practice" drill into more random practice - where your players need to learn to read and react to touches on the ball that might not be perfect.
Basic Attack Timing/Adjusting
For beginning volleyball players one of the hardest things to learn is proper attack timing (and adjusting their approach accordingly.)
Actually, let me rephrase that statement -- For beginning many volleyball players one of the hardest things to learn is proper attack timing.
And as such, I figure I might as well jot down a few quick tips that could help if you are having problems with hit timing and adjusting to sets.
Offspeed Attacks
Learning to vary your attacks is key to becoming a successful offensive player. Changing direction, speed, and type of attack is largely dependent upon the game situation set in front of you. For more on this theory, see my previous post on Power vs Finesse.
As previously discussed, less experienced players will learn to spike the ball at a consistent speed and power, mostly at body-line. This is the most common line for an attack and the easiest to defend. As an attacker, it is your job to move your attacks around the block and to hit the ball away from or past the defense. Changing the type of attack is vital to your success. In this post we will discuss the most common types of off-speed attacks that you can utilize to further expand your offensive repertoire.
Power vs Finesse
Men's volleyball. A power game. Thundering spikes hitting the ground at lightning speed. High jumpers, strong blockers, quick attackers. This is what people first notice about the men's game as compared to the women's game.
Speak to any high school or lower level male volleyball player. They have the most fun hitting, and always swing as hard as they can trying to hit the ball straight down. There's nothing more impressive to the uneducated eye than a completely undiggable ball hit straight down.
But ask any experienced player - power is a necessity in the men's game for sure, but if it is all you know how to do you become predictable. Defenses can shift their blocking and back row players to adjust to your hitting style. This is where changing it up with the finesse game comes into play.
The Middle Finger Rule
One of the most common specific skills I am asked about is how to change the direction of your hit. There are many ways to do this, and when you've approached a certain level of play you will know which to use in what situation.
As a former Middle Blocker, I had to learn how to hit both angles left and right. If I continued to hit my body-line, I would have been blocked on every attack. Changing the direction of your hits should be a priority no matter what position you attack from, but is especially important from the middle position.
Some players' natural arm swing comes across their body, so their hitting line goes cross court. Others (like myself) have a natural arm swing that finishes "wrist away" or inside-out. But no matter what your arm swing is, there are ways to change the direction of your shot. The easiest way to do this is what I call the "middle finger rule".