Beach Volleyball Spike

Beach volleyball spike tips for hitting on the beach. 

You're about to discover the key drills for learning how to spike. 

The following are the most important parts to the beach volleyball spike...

• Contacting the ball. On the beach, is important to learn the correct way for contacting the ball. To be a good hitter, you want to control the ball the best you can. One concept is the "claw". You do the claw by focusing on making contact with the ball with your hand in a curved position. You want the hand curved because this will help you create topspin on the ball. 
• Create topspin. You topspin so the ball will drop down into the court instead of flailing out of bounds. The more topspin you create, the more you're able to control where you place the ball. 
• Use the wind to help create more control. If the wind in blowing, this is an opportunity to get an advantage by using the wind. Many players are intimidated by the wind. If you learn about the wind and understand how it can help you, then you'll have a big advantage. Using the wind is also important for serving.

• Decide how you want to be set. If you talk with your partner and come up with a game plan for how you're going to be set, this will help you get in position to hit. 
• Anticipate the set. In doubles you likely play with the same partner a lot. Learn where your partner is likely to set you. If you decide ahead of time what kind of ball you like to hit, then this will make it easier to read your partner. Also think about your partners tendencies. If your partner tends to set tight when you pass tight, then be ready for a tight set. Always be watching and anticipating what you're partner is doing so you can be ready to make the play. 

Beach Volleyball Spike Drills

1. Ball Contact Drill. Get a partner and a ball. Self-toss and hit the ball to your partner. Focus on "clawing" the ball. This is done by wrapping your hand over the top of the ball. Be sure to toss the ball in a way so you can contact the ball more above your head, and not out in front. Hitting a floater is where you contact with a vertical hand that points up to the sky. You don't want to hit floaters, you want to create topspin. To create topspin, wrap your hand over the ball and finish with the fingers pointed down. 
2. Two Step Approach Drill. To be able to jump high out of the sand, you need a good approach. Your steps need to be fast in order to jump high. If you approach slowly then you'll lose energy in your jump. And you want to always take the same steps when you approach. If you're right-handed, then finish your steps right-left. If you're left-handed, then finish your steps left-right. The key is the last 2 steps. Practice the last two steps. Focus on stepping as quick as possible. Take 2 steps, plant, then jump up. You also need to swing the arms back as you take the first step. 
3. Overpass Spiking Drill. Use a partner for tossing a ball on top of the net. If you don't have a partner available, then you can self-toss. You can start out by lowering the net. Just focus on spiking the ball down at a sharp angle. You can place a target on the court to aim at. First start with a deeper target to make this drill easy. Have success first then you can move the target a little closer to the net. This drill will help you learn the way to beach volleyball spike, spiking the ball down at sharper angles into the court. 
4. Spike to Different Areas. Having success in beach volleyball is more about having crafty shots than being able to spike the ball really hard. You want to develop an array of shots so you have the ability to hit to different areas. So, you should practice spiking to different areas of the court. First start by spiking self-tossed balls. Make it easier in the beginning.    
5. Develop a consistent arm swing. You could stand on a box at the net or lower the net for this drill. Focus on having the same swing and contact for every repetition. You want a consistent spike because you want to make it difficult for the opponent to "read" you. The more difficult you are to read, the more likely the defense won't make successful play on your attack.

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