by Volleyball Players for Volleyball Players

Pictures are from Volleyball Magazine.

The Approach

Plain and simply the key to more, and better quality, Kills. This is the one thing that separates the good from the mediocre hitter. Hitting without a good approach is like building a house without a foundation. In no other sport must you be running at high speed and in a split second be jumping straight up. For example Basketball players can jump forward to dunk, they don't have a net 2 feet in front of the basket. I've broken the steps into plain and simple English for all to understand. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

The most important part of the approach is the beginning. The only thing I see wrong with the picture ( and this in no way, reflects my respect for Brian Ivie) is that the player is watching the floor and not watching the ball. You must keep your eye on the ball at all times. You must be where you can comfortably get three steps to the net, usually about two feet behind the 3 meter line. As an left or right side hitter, DO NOT leave your spot until you see were the set is going, or else you will have to adjust in the middle of your approach. If you can do that without messing up the approach, hit Back on your browser and come back to Training Tips in September. If not, check out how you will look.

Next, Start with a slow step to angle your body to the Set. Skipping, and Stutter-stepping should not happen here. That will only get you off rhythm, not keep you on it.

With the second step, start raising your arms up behind you. This will help you increase vertical. (That's right, I said increase Vertical, the holy grail of this Sport.) This step should also be quite a large one, the reasoning behind it is, the longer the step the lower your body will go, you must go down before you go up. The rest will be explained in the following step.

At the beginning of this motion you are low and about to explode upwards. Your arms should be at their highest point. This action is the key to your Vertical. In one quick thrust you must use your arms and swing them down until they are in front of you.

At the same time, push with your knees, using the momentum of your arms. Carry yourself into the air. Hopefully higher than usual.

Your arms should naturally (if you pushed them hard enough) get into a hitting position, at that point. Let your hitting take over.

Just an added bonus to show you the result of a good approach.

Hint: (Strong Kill)