Skill
Spiking
The volleyball skill of jumping and striking the ball forcefully down into the opponent’s court.
Skill
Overview
Spiking, also called attacking or hitting, is the offensive skill in volleyball where a player jumps and strikes the ball sharply downward over the net. It is the most common way to win a point directly.
A good spike combines a timed approach, a strong jump and a clean arm swing so the ball is hit at the top of the reach and angled down past the defence.
Key points
- The spike is usually the third contact, following a dig and a set.
- Timing the approach to the setter’s ball is what makes the hit clean.
- Contacting the ball at the top of the jump maximises the downward angle.
- Aiming into gaps or off the block is often smarter than hitting straight at a defender.
- A well-executed spike is one of the quickest ways to end a rally.
Where it’s used
Sports that use spiking:
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Spiking to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Movement patterns
- StrikeA ballistic, whole-body hitting action that channels ground-generated force through a proximal-to-distal kinetic chain to deliver momentum to a target via the hand, an implement or a body part at the moment of contact.
- ThrowPropelling an object by releasing it from the hand, driven by a proximal-to-distal kinetic-chain sequence that summates speed from the legs through the trunk and arm to the release point.
- JumpThe plyometric pattern of projecting the body off the ground through explosive triple extension and controlling the landing — the core expression of lower-body power.
Techniques
- Volleyball SpikeA powerful attacking hit that drives the ball sharply downward over the net into the opponent's court, usually after an approach and jump.
- Badminton SmashA powerful, steeply downward overhead stroke that drives the shuttlecock sharply into the opponent's court to win the rally.
- HeaderA technique for controlling or striking the ball with the forehead in football, used to pass, shoot or clear the ball in the air.
- Badminton ClearAn overhead stroke that sends the shuttlecock high and deep to the opponent's back court, resetting the rally or buying time.
- Volleyball DigA defensive contact that keeps a hard-driven ball in play by passing it up off the forearms, usually from a low position.
Positions
- Outside hitterThe outside hitter attacks from the left side of the net and is often a volleyball team’s main scoring option.
- Middle blockerThe middle blocker plays in the centre of the net, leading the team’s blocking and attacking with fast, quick sets.
- OppositeThe opposite is a volleyball attacker who plays on the right side of the net, opposite the setter in the rotation, and is often a key scorer.
- Wing attackThe wing attack is a netball playmaker who feeds the ball into the shooting circle, moving through the centre and attacking thirds but not entering the goal circle.
- HookerThe hooker is a front-row forward in rugby who wins the ball in the scrum and typically throws the ball into the line-out.