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A Phase Analysis of the Spike Technique
Introduction
I broke down the spike technique as part of my module of technique analysis where I got 82% for it. After reflecting twice I should have reviewed it for Rhodes, I thought there was value in posting it up. Below is is excerpt of my assignment with some amendments.
Phase Analysis Model
Phase analysis model is a descriptive process of dividing up the technique or movement skill into relevant parts so attention can be focused on the performance of each part. The number of phases is generally broken down into four phases of preparation, retraction, action and recovery (Knudson & Morrison, 2002). Preparation is the starting point of the technique. Retraction is the retraction of the arm or leg. Action is the main effort of the movement that takes place. Recovery is where the movement is slowed down and in control to avoid injury (Lees, 2008). Each phase may be broken up into sub-phases. Each phase and/or sub-phase should contain a description of the movements that takes place within it. It should also contain key moments, critical features and movement principles (Lees, 2008). Key moments are points in time in that relate to the technique, e.g. ball contact. Critical features are observable aspects of a movement and should refer to the body or limb position, e.g. flexed knee. This is often related to coaching points. Critical features are also known as performance indicators (Hughes & Bartlett, 2002). Movement principles are a description of how to achieve a specific movement outcome based on biomechanical principles.
Knowledge of the Activity
The task objective of the volleyball spike is to place the ball into the other side of the court so the ball is unreturned while simultaneously not committing a violation or error. This is best done by jumping high and striking the ball down over the net as to land in the opposition court or rebounding off an opposition player that does not return to the attacker’s court. The ball should be forcefully struck with power to minimise the amount of time the opposition player has to defend it. In addition, a violation must not be committed such as a net touch, centre-line fault, illegal ball contact etc. Thus, a high jump, striking power and a controlled landing is needed for the spike.
The task objectives are reflected in the spike technique itself. The technique is broken up by using the phase analysis model. This is because a systematic technique analysis can be easily understood by players and coaches. In addition, it provides a basis for observational cues. The spike technique is based on what is written by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and is supplemented by scientific research where appropriate. A full phase analysis of the volleyball spike can be viewed on Table 1.
Phase | Sub-Phase | Description | Key Moment | Critical Feature | Biomechanical Principle |
Preparation | Start of approach | Motion should start with the first step | Toe-off of left foot | ||
Both arms should be down and not up | |||||
Both arms start to swing forward at the same time | |||||
Motion should start slow |
Phase | Sub-Phase | Description | Key Moment | Critical Feature | Biomechanical Principle |
Step 1 (left foot) | First step is taken | Foot strike of left foot | |||
Both arms swing forward but no higher than waist height | |||||
Forward motion should be fast |
Phase | Sub-Phase | Description | Key Moment | Critical Feature | Biomechanical Principle |
Step 2 (right foot) | Second step is taken | Foot strike of right foot | Range of motion | ||
Both arms should swing as far as possible back for a higher jump (Hsieh & Heise, 2008) | |||||
Forward motion should be fastest |
Phase | Sub-Phase | Description | Key Moment | Critical Feature | Biomechanical Principle |
Step 3 (left foot) | Third step is taken and “planted” | Foot strike of left foot | |||
Both feet should be pointing forwards or slightly in |
Phase | Sub-Phase | Description | Key Moment | Critical Feature | Biomechanical Principle |
Jump | Both feet has full contact with the ground | Maximal leg extension | Maximal leg extension | Simultaneous joint movements for force/ power production | |
Jump with both feet at the same time | |||||
Jump with both arms raised at the same time |
Phase | Sub-Phase | Description | Key Moment | Critical Feature | Biomechanical Principle |
Retraction | Archer pose | Hitting-arm elbow draws back to shoulder height | Trunk rotation | Maximum external rotation | Range of motion (Li-Fang , 2008) |
Non-hitting arm straightens in front of body | Action-reaction | ||||
Open shoulder to the ball | Stretch-shorten cycle (stretch) |
Phase | Sub-Phase | Description | Key Moment | Critical Feature | Biomechanical Principle |
Action | Spiking action | Hand is at its lowest point | Ball impact | Fast arm acceleration | Proximal to distal sequence of movements |
Fast arm acceleration | End point speed | ||||
Hitting arm swings up and over the top of the ball | Stretch-shorten cycle (short) | ||||
Arm is straight upon ball contact | |||||
Hand should be open and firm with fingers apart | |||||
Powerful wrist snap | |||||
Ball contact is as high as possible, as demonstrated by international volleyball players (Marquez , 2003) | |||||
Ball contact is in front of hitting shoulder (roughly 30cm in front) | |||||
Right arm should be in line with left hip |
Phase | Sub-Phase | Description | Key Moment | Critical Feature | Biomechanical Feature |
Recovery | Landing | Hitting arm should follow through past the body | Floor contact | Knees flexed | |
Land with both feet at the same time to absorb the shock of the landing | |||||
Land with bent knees to absorb the shock of the landing to reduce the risk of a ‘jumper’s knee’ (Bisseling , 2007) | |||||
Body weight is distributed equally over both feet |
The definitions of the biomechanical principles used here are:
1.: requires a large distance away from the axis of rotation, e.g. the spiking arm is at full extension.2.: a firm base is required, e.g. both feet are in full contact with the floor before jumping. 3.: muscle force can be applied for longer, the greater the limb range of motion, e.g. greater retraction and follow through increases limb range and thus power on the spike. 4.: the movement of one limb helps the movement of the contralateral limb, e.g. as the spiking arm is retracted, the non-hitting arm sticks out in front. 5.: the sequence of rotational movements to build up high speed movements, e.g. the spiking action itself. 6.: a firm base is required before muscles act simultaneously, e.g. simultaneous leg extensions and swinging the arms up during the jump sub-phase. 7.: involves a pre-stretch of the muscles and tendons which aids performance by enabling the highest forces to be built up at the beginning of the movement, e.g. stretch on the retraction phase followed by the shortening on the action phase.”
Conclusion
I feel one advantage of doing the phase analysis is understanding the biomechanical principles behind the technique and some academic research to show what the elite players do. Volleyball players and coaches probably know most of the descriptive points outlined above but now they can justify why the spike technique is the way it is. The end result was three video feedback resources I produced for the players, which can be viewed below.
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