Spiking and Tipping

1Warm up first

Jog and skip around the court. Do 10 small jumps, landing softly on both feet with bent knees. Swing your arms in big circles, then stretch each arm across your chest. Practise the arm swing a few times without a ball.

2What is a spike?

The spike, or attack, is usually the third touch. The hitter takes a few running steps (the approach), jumps, and swings at the ball to send it quickly down into the other team's court. An attack that wins the point straight away is called a kill.

3The approach: left, right-left, jump!

4The arm swing and the hit

1. Arms back: on your big second step, swing both arms back behind you.
2. Arms up: swing both arms forward and up as you jump. This lifts you higher.
3. Bow and arrow: draw your hitting arm back, elbow high, like pulling back a bow.
4. Reach and hit: hit the ball at the top of your jump, with your arm stretched high and a little in front of your hitting shoulder. Use an open hand, not a fist.
5. Snap: snap your wrist forward so the ball goes down.
6. Land on both feet, knees bent, on your own side. Never touch the net, and never step over the centre line under the net.

Back-row players may attack too, but only if they jump from behind the attack line. Junior players use a lower net than adults, so at school your teacher can lower the net or the rope.

5Tactics: hit where they are not

Before you hit, look quickly at the other side. Where are the blockers? Where are the defenders? Then choose:

• Line shot: straight down the side line, past the outside of the block.
• Cross-court shot: diagonally across the court, into the open space.
• Tip: instead of hitting hard, touch the ball softly with your fingers so it drops just over the block into an empty space. It must be a quick, clean touch: catching or throwing the ball is a fault.
• Off-speed hit: swing as if you will smash it, then hit softer. The defenders, ready for a hard hit, are caught by surprise.

6Drills with little equipment

• Footwork only: say it out loud, "left, right-left, JUMP!", as you approach the net 10 times. Land on both feet each time.
• Toss and hit: stand near a low net or rope. Toss the ball up in front of your hitting shoulder and hit it over with an open hand. First without jumping, then with a small jump.
• Set and hit: a partner or the teacher tosses a high ball near the net. Approach, jump and hit it over.
• Hit the target: put school bags or cones in the other court. Call "Line!" or "Cross!" before you hit, then try to land it there.

7Small-sided game

Play 3 against 3 over a low net. A point won with a spike or a tip into an empty space scores 2 points.

8Cool down

Walk slowly. Stretch your shoulders and the backs of your legs, and shake out your hitting arm. Drink water.

Try it yourself

Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.