Volleyball Spike
A powerful attacking hit that drives the ball sharply downward over the net into the opponent's court, usually after an approach and jump.
Overview
The spike, or attack hit, is volleyball's main scoring shot. The attacker takes a timed approach, jumps and swings the arm to hit the ball downward over the net with pace and a steep angle.
Coordinating the approach steps with the set and swinging fast through the ball at the top of the jump are what make a spike effective.
How to do it
- 1Start behind the attack line and read the set.
- 2Take your approach steps, planting both feet to jump.
- 3Swing both arms up and drive off the ground.
- 4Swing your hitting arm fast to contact the ball high and in front.
- 5Snap your wrist over the ball to angle it down, then land in balance.
Key points
- Time the approach so you meet the ball at the top of your jump.
- Swing the arm fast and contact the ball above and in front of your hitting shoulder.
- Snap the wrist over the top of the ball to drive it downward.
Where it’s used
Sports that use volleyball spike:
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Movement patterns
- 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.
- SquatA knee-dominant pattern: bending the hips, knees and ankles to lower and rise while keeping the torso upright — the foundation of lower-body strength.
- RotationRotating the trunk to generate and transfer power through the body's kinetic chain, plus anti-rotation — resisting unwanted twist to keep the trunk stable.
- LandingThe controlled absorption of force at ground contact that ends an airborne phase, dissipating impact through eccentric triple flexion of the ankle, knee and hip.
- 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.
Skills
- JumpingThe skill of leaping powerfully and with timing to reach or contest the ball in the air.
- SpikingThe volleyball skill of jumping and striking the ball forcefully down into the opponent’s court.
- SettingThe volleyball skill of accurately placing the ball for a teammate to attack.
- BlockingThe skill of using the hands or body to stop or slow an opponent’s attack.
- DiggingThe volleyball skill of controlling a hard-driven ball low to keep it in play.
Equipment
- VolleyballA soft, inflated ball struck with the hands and arms in volleyball.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Pickleball paddleA solid, flat paddle used to hit the perforated plastic ball in pickleball.
- Cricket batA flat-fronted wooden bat used by batters to hit the ball in cricket.
- Squash racquetA slim strung racquet used to hit the ball against the walls in squash.
Facilities
- Volleyball courtA rectangular court split by a high net over which two teams rally the ball, played indoors or on sand.
- Sports hallA large indoor hall with multi-sport line markings, used for court sports like basketball, volleyball and badminton.
- Badminton courtA rectangular indoor court, divided by a high net, on which badminton is played as singles or doubles.
- Padel courtAn enclosed court, much smaller than a tennis court, walled with glass and mesh so the ball can be played off the walls.
- Tennis courtA rectangular marked court, divided across the middle by a net, where tennis is played as singles or doubles.
Rules
- Backcourt violationA basketball rule breach for returning the ball into a team's own defensive half after it has crossed into the attacking half.
- Three-hit ruleThe volleyball rule that a team may contact the ball at most three times before it must cross the net.
- Touching the netA net-play rule that penalises a player for contacting the net during a rally in net-divided sports.
- Double dribbleA basketball violation for dribbling with two hands at once, or for dribbling again after picking up the ball.
- GoaltendingA basketball violation for interfering with a shot while the ball is on its downward path to the basket or above the rim.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Technique
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-07-09
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