ATTACKING is the skill of terminal action used primarily to score points. Attacking involves an approach, jump, armswing and timing. In order to maximise our attacking abilities and be the best attacker we can be, we must learn and practise the Three Pillars of Attacking.

Pillar 1: Transition Footwork

‘Be Available’

Transition refers to changing from serve receive, blocking or defense to offense. We need to transition to offense as quickly and efficiently as possible so we are available. During our transition sequence, we must track the ball at all times

  • When transitioning from serve receive, always track the ball as it gives us our timing.

    For Outsides & Opposites

    • Shuffle off the court into our hitting base position until the setter is about to set the ball, then stop and start your approach steps.

    • Generally 3 shuffle steps if you don't pass, but only 1-2 steps if you have to pass or there is less time ie an out of system pass.

    For Middle Blockers

    • Transition to the Middle Neutral Zone which is located in the middle of the court just behind the 3m line. This area of the court allows you to attack the quick, shoot, C or slide.

    Out of System

    We generally will have less time in out of system, transition but stop wherever you are if the setter is about to contact the ball.

  • Remember to always track the ball when transitioning off the block.

    For Outsides & Opposites

    • Open, Crossover, Hop, Hop to our Neutral hitting base position (generally a metre off the side line and 3m line).

    • If Out of System: Open, Crossover, Hop or less.

    For Middles Blockers

    • If blocking with the Outside: Open, Crossover, Hop to the Neutral Zone.

    • If blocking in the middle: Turn or Open to the direction of the hit and transition using the crossover step to the Neutral Zone.

    • If blocking with the Opposite: Open Crossover, 360 turn, Hop to the Neutral Zone.

    Out of System

    • Initiate your transition steps but stop wherever you are when the setter is about to set the ball.

    • For middles, try to get back and start your approach from there rather than trying to get to the Neutral Zone.

  • Remember to track the ball when transitioning from Digging. The pin hitters (OH + OPP) should aim to transition about 1m off the sideline and 1m behind the 3m line - this is considered the most neutral zone to start your approach from. The Middle’s neutral zone is the middle of the court, behind the 3m line.

    For Outsides & Opposites (off blocker)

    • If not digging: Open Crossover, Hop, Hop to Neutral Zone.

    • If digging: Drop off the court as you won't have time to get out. It is more important to get the distance from the net to get a long approach than trying to get out wide.

    For Middle Blockers

    • Middles don't generally play defense in the front row but they drop to the 3m line on free ball situations, then start approach from the Neutral Zone.

Pillar 2: Approach Footwork

‘Be Settable’

Our approach footwork is incredibly important. We must develop an understanding of all the various footwork and know when to use each one. Mastering this allows us to adapt to different sets and broaden our ‘hitting window’.

  • Ideally we want to use a 4 step approach. The footsteps are LRLR if right handed and RLRL if left handed.

    First Step: Initiation Step

    • This step starts your foot work sequencing. This step is deliberately small. Your foot goes from heel to toe.

    Second Step: Directional Step

    • This step takes you into the direction of the set (inside or wide set). This step is twice as big as the Initiation Step.

    Third Step: Adjustment Step

    • This step allows you to make last second adjustment to get your hitting shoulder to the ball. This step is the largest of the 4 steps.

    Fourth Step: Close Step

    • This step helps to shift your lateral movement to vertical (jump).

    Armswing

    Our arms work in tandem with our footwork. Both hands are down and relaxed when taking your Initiation Step. Then both arms go forward (not up) when taking your Directional Step, then back in a compact form when taking your Adjustment Step, then forward and up to bow & arrow when taking your Close Step.

  • We only use 3 Steps for middles. The footwork sequence is LRL (right handed).

    Step 1: Initiation Step

    This step starts your run up. This step is deliberately small. Your foot goes from heel to toe.

    Step 2: Directional Step

    This step takes you to the direction of the set (quick, shoot, C or slide).

    Step 3: Close Step

    This step shifts your lateral momentum into vertical.

    Armswing

    Our arms work in tandem with our footwork. Both arms go forward (not up) when taking your Initiation Step, then back in a compact form when taking your Adjustment Step, then forward when taking your Close Step then straight to your bow and arrow action to attack the ball.

    TYPES OF MIDDLE SETS

    A Quick or Quick 1

    A fast, low set that is hit in front of the setter. The middle needs to be on their second or final step when the setter contacts the ball. This set is so fast that you’re trying to beat the opponent’s defense.

    A Dead

    • A slow high set that is hit in front of the setter. The middle can has to wait for the setter to contact the ball before initiating their first step. This set gives the middle more time to approach and hit the ball.

    Shoot

    • A fast, low set that is hit about 2m away from the setter. The timing and footwork is similar to an A Quick. This set spreads the offense along the net and tries to hit between the gap between two blockers.

    C or Back 1

    A fast, low set that is hit just behind the setter. The middle needs to be on their second or final step when the setter contacts the ball. This fast set tries to beat the opponent’s defense and spread the offense around.

    Slide

    A very dynamic set to the middle behind the setter where the middle will hit in the D Zone. Middles first start with a running approach to the ball, then finally takes a knee drive (similar to a layup) to finish the action. It is important the ball is following the middle, not the other way round. This set should only be done when the setter is in the front court to avoid running into the opposite. This play allows the offense to spread around and isolating attackers.

  • In our system where we are not in an ideal position, we use 3 or 2 steps (often called a close step). We need to practise these steps as we will need to use them when the occasion arises.

    3 Steps

    Initiation Step, Directional Step, Close Step. The steps are LRL for right handed or RLR for left handed.

    2 Steps (close step)

    Directional Step and then Close Step. The steps are RL for right handed or LR for left handed. This step allows you to get your body to the ball to attack.

Pillar 3: Killing the Ball

‘Be Terminal’

We call this attacking rather than spiking as spiking means to hit the ball hard every time and attacking means we use all forms of hitting to kill the ball. Hitters need to develop a range of shots to their ‘hitting toolbox’ and use them in the best situation.

  • Spiking (attacking with power) is your first choice when hitting the ball. It is an intense action but you must not be tense (you should be fluid). When we are spiking, we want to jump high, hit the ball hard and with good timing. In order to execute this, we need a good approach and arm lift that will assist with momentum and armswing to maximise your hitting power.

    Armwing

    • Arms down, forward (not up), back in compact form and up to initiate Bow and Arrow. Hands should be curled in shape of ball.

    • Separation of arms at the hip to initiate arm swing (bow and arrow action).

    • Stay tall and point non-attacking hand up.

    • Elbow behind ears, hand open (more surface area).

    Contacting the Ball

    • Contact the ball high and in front of you @11 O'clock.

    • Attacking hand should be open, the more surface area the harder you can hit the ball.

    • Generate topspin on the ball by hitting on the top half of the ball and snapping your wrist forward and downwards.

    • The speed of your armswing can generate more power on your hit.

    • Generate side spin by hitting with a thumb up or thumb down to deceive the defense.

    Follow Through

    • Follow through after the contact and hand should be at your hip

    • Keep non- attacking hand/shoulder high.

  • On a bad set or when you're not in an ideal hitting position, you can use 'finesse' shots to kill or stress the opposing team into making a bad pass. First option is to finesse the ball into open space (we call this Attack Zones) on the opponent's side to kill the ball, but we can also tip it to their setter to force them into out of system.

    Tip

    Using the tips of the fingers to push or ‘jam’ the ball into open space or a target. Remember to not palm the ball or make extended contact to avoid catching and throwing the ball.

    Two-handed tip

    Essentially setting the ball with power to open space. using this method allows for better control.

    Deep Push

    Pushing the ball deep into the court to catch the defender off guard.

    Roll Shot

    Going for an attack but in the last second, roll the ball over the block and into open space. This shot can be deceitful and catch the defenders off guard.

  • When attacking at a well form block, we can use the block to deflect the ball out of play and score points. Remember, the block is our friend!

    High Flat

    Aiming to attack off the finger tips of the blockers. This shot requires a lot of precision and power (to deflect the ball out of bounds).

    Off the Edge

    Aiming to attack the ball off the edge or outside hand (hand next to the antenna) to ricochet the ball out the sidelines and out of play.

    Push and Wipe

    We do this when the ball is tight to the net and there is a formed block. Push the ball (using your fingers, not palm) into the block and as soon as you feel contact, wipe the ball of the edge to deflect the ball out of bounds.

Attacking Principles

  • Attacking or spiking is an intense action but we must not be tense. We need to be relaxed and fluid with our action.

  • Be aggressive but not reckless, manage your swings at all times. Spike the ball when you can, but manage your swings when you're not in a good position. However, persistent tipping is not always the answer.

  • The main types of offense are In-System Offense (when the pass is good), Out of System Offense (when the pass is bad) and Transition Offense (maximising quality swings).

  • When attacking, jump further off the net so that we can take a full swing without touching the net. This gives us space to follow through and hit around the block. This is especially true for middles.

  • A kill is a kill whether you spike or tip the ball. Players need to develop a range of hitting toolbox and use them to what is best in the moment.

  • For middles running a slide, track the ball then complete the approach with a knee drive to initiate the jump. You should be in front of the ball when approaching.

  • 'Settable' hitters are those that are easy to set because they can adjust their footwork to the set. Remember, you won't get the ideal set and location every time so we must learn to adjust the footwork to the set.

  • Tracking the ball whilst transitioning is incredibly important because we need to stop transitioning when the setter is about to set the ball and start to our approach.

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