One of the goals we have, especially when teaching the fundamental skills of the game, is to have our athletes reach a degree of competency that allows them to perform a skill or motor pattern correctly over and over again. In our gym, we call this “repeatability.” When it comes to spiking, we like there to be a high degree of repeatability in the players’ footwork, swing mechanics and contact, and we want them to be able to hit the ball with range.
 
We define range as the ability to hit the ball in different directions (line, seam, angle) with different trajectories (to the middle of the court, to the corners, high hands) and different velocities (as hard as they can, off-speed, tip, roll). Hitters should be able to hit the ball where they want to regardless of the set they are given. (As an aside, they become accountable for the swings they take.) We believe strongly that in order to do this, the hitter must contact the ball in the correct position relative to his body every time. The best way to ensure this consistency is to develop great footwork patterns that allow the hitter to get to the ball (by increasing the speed and/or changing the direction of the approach) so he can hit every set on the way up, fully extended, with the ball slightly in front of the hitting shoulder.
I like Carl McGown’s construct for teaching spike footwork and I am going to use it as the basis for this article. (McGown is the former headmen’s volleyball coach at Brigham Young University, now retired, and most recently a consultant for the 2004 U.S. Men’s Olympic Team with USA Volleyball.) He breaks it down as follows:
 
1 Four steps. RLRL or LRLR (right-leftright-left or left-right left-right).
2 Little steps to big steps.
3 Slow steps to fast steps.
4 Second step on, or around, the 3-meter line.

 
I also like to add a key point coaches need to teach about the athlete going from low body position to full extension. Following is a discussion of footwork broken down into one step at a time. Initially, I would like to point out that the first key describes the sequence for a four-step approach – and I strongly recommend that you have your hitters use four steps, especially in serve receive (SR). (There are some instances where three steps are acceptable, but a four-step approach will generate more velocity along the horizontal plane, which can then be converted into vertical jump.) Taking four steps also increases your ability to get to the ball and to time the spike correctly.

It is also worth noting that the approach should not cover a large distance. A long approach, because of the increased premium on timing, negatively influences the ability of the hitter to get to the ball.

Step 1
1.     Start balanced with the lead foot in front (right for right-handed players and left for left-handed players).
2.    Take a small first step with the lead foot to facilitate the weight transfer.
The first step is not big, and we do not want it to be, which why the lead foot starts in front. It simply gets things going in the right direction. The first step is also important for timing the hitter’s approach when he is hitting higher sets.

Step 2
1  A bigger, faster step.
2 It should be on or around the 3-meter line.

 
The second step is not much bigger, but it is very important terms of timing the spike. The second step should be where the hitter is processing the set speed and location to determine how quickly he needs to get on to the third step. Sometimes it is fast, but other times
 
– especially if the pass is not perfect – we like hitters to pause on their second step. We want this step to be or around the 3-meter line so the hitter can be in a good position relative to the ball.

Step 3
1 The biggest and most dynamic step of the sequence.
2 The hitter steps to the ball.
3
4 Not only is the third step about power and speed, it is also about direction. You also want to teach your hitters the difference between getting to the ball (proactive) and waiting for the set (reactive).  
 
Step 4
The fourth step is a closing “brake” step that facilitates the transfer of horizontal velocity into vertical jump. I also like the foot on the fourth step to be turned a little (maybe 45 degrees). This gives a bigger braking surface area and gets the hitter perpendicular to the net, which sets him up to torque when he hits.
 
Other Points to Consider
Footwork Fundamentals for the Slide
Four Steps - RLRL
1 The first step is small and transfers weight onto the front foot.
2 The second step is faster, bigger and toward the setter.
3 The third step is faster again. The size depends on the play and the hitter runs parallel to the net.
4 The fourth step is where the hitter jumps. He must drive the opposite knee up to lift the center of gravity and maximize the jump.

 
Steps and Timing
Describing set speed in terms of approach steps makes it easier for setters and hitters to get on the same page.
Angle of Approach
As the speed of the offense increases, in serve receive (SR) and in transition, we have to teach the hitters to approach from a variety of angles: Outside/in as well as inside/out.

Passing and Hitting
When you pass and hit, you need good footwork to get to the ball. The speed of the offense strongly influences the footwork pattern, as well.
1 Do not run to spots. Get to the set as quickly and effectively as you can.
2 The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.
3 Pass, shuffle and hit (straight).
4 Pass and hit (inside out)
5 Do not pass, shuffle and hit (outside in).

Transition Footwork
Good footwork off the net makes for great footwork to the ball.
1 Four steps - outside hitters.
2 Three steps - middle blockers, outside hitters (in a hurry), right-side attackers.
3 Five steps - right-side attackers.

Conclusion
A great deal of hard work, dedication and a great four-step approach can lead any player to greater success on the court.