QuestionHi my name is Kristy. I was wondering if you knew of any way to make my speed and timing better when I'm approaching to hit the ball. Thank you so much for your time!
AnswerHey Kristy!
It's great to hear from you. Welcome to www.allexperts.com. Let's approach these one at a time.
a) Speed. The speed of your spike approach is pretty much something that's unique to you. It's like your vertical, your height, your IQ. Sure, it's changeable, but not by a lot.
Maybe I don't understand what you mean. When you say "speed," are you saying, "I want to do my approach faster!" or are you saying, "I don't know what speed to do my approach," or are you saying something else? Please follow up and let me know.
b) Timing. OK, you didn't tell me your age. But if you're a rising 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th grader, then timing is nearly always an issue. About the only kids your age who don't have that issue are the girls with freaky athleticism or the girls who have been playing since they were 6 years old. So, if you're having timing issues, you're normal.
My advice to all girls going into the 6/7/8/9 grade is first, LEARN A CORRECT SPIKE APPROACH. Did you make yours up? Or did you learn it from a knowledgeable coach or a video? If you think you may be doing your approach differently than the women do it every college in the country, then fixing it is top priority. Second, JUST KEEP PLAYING. If you're hitting a high set on the left or right or back row, there is no rule as to when to start your approach. (Now if you're a MB hitting 1's and 2's, there are rules. Let me know if you want to know these rules.) Since there is no rule, then playing, playing, and playing will help. Over the years, your brain should figure it out. It won't completely solve the problem, but it will help. My third piece of advice is, JUST KEEP LIVING! haha Most girls who have learned a corect spike approach from a coach, and who play regularly, will solve most of their timing issues as they get older. No, all of them won't be solved. Even a college player will tell you she miss-times a high ball occasionally.
Now for the bad news: If you're a rising 10/11/12th grader, and you're having consistent timing issues, that tells me: (1) You didn't start playing when you were young enough, thus you haven't had enough practice, or (2) you don't play enough, or (3) you have a very complex spike approach that prevents you from getting to the ball on time.
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Some ideas:
* Can you send me a video of you spiking? I can see if you have any problems with your approach. My email address is
[email protected]
* If you email me, then I can then send you a video of my step-daughter spiking. It's about 95% perfect, and if your spike approach looks like hers, then you are doing it almost perfect.
I hope that I have helped you some. Do you have a moment to visit www.coachhouser.com? I think you will really like the site!! The smiling faces are awesome! My staff and I have finished one camp! We have eight more to go! We can't wait!!!!!
Have a great weekend. Hope to hear from you soon!
Tom
