3 Exercises To Improve Spike Skills By Hitting With A Faster Armswing

These 3 volleyball drills to improve hitting more balls in the court with a much quicker armswing and an aggressive spike approach to help reach over blockers.

I recommend these three exercises to improve spike skills if your problem is that you have a slow spike approach and a slow arm swing. (photo Erik Drost)I recommend these three exercises to improve spike skills if your problem is that you have a slow spike approach and a slow arm swing. (photo Erik Drost)

Watch as outside hitter Jacob Ceci swings hard and purposefully wipes the ball against the outside arm of Tommi's block to score a point in this rally during volleyball practice.

On the court for Breakfast
Club class Kate Prior (BYU), Kamry Baily (Utah), Brooklyn Weidenheft (Univ of Connecticut), Tommi Stockham (Cal Poly) Sierra Leone Sanchez (Adam State), Ken Buen (Vanguard Univ), Jacob Ceci (GCU) 


I recommend these three exercises to improve spike skills if your problem is that you have a slow spike approach and a slow arm swing.

First you fneed to speed up the last two steps of your three or four step spike approach in order to

  • increase your vertical jump and 
  • gather speed in order to create power


These exercises to improve spike approach technique focus on hitting approach speed and review the three step and four step spike approach techniques that create the power for your spiking attacks.⁠

If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.

Ebook_How_to_Clean_Up_Your_Passing_and_Get_More_-linkedin-profile-cover-1.jpeg

Struggling with passing consistency?

I help talented passers tired of getting pulled from games because of inconsistent serve receive skills  BUILD passing confidence without expensive private lessons using the same 3-step system that's helped dozens of my athletes get recruited.

Download my eBook for $17.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.

3 Exercises To Improve Spike Skills By Hitting With A Faster Armswing


Your hitting or spike approach is a set number of steps, usually a three-step approach or a four-step approach that you make

  • to gather the speed
  • gain forward momentum

needed to get in the air to make contact with the ball at its highest point. ⁠

Think of it this way, a hitter needs a runway to take off just like an airplane does. 

When an airplane is ready for take off, it makes its approach down the runway to gather speed and velocity so that it can lift itself up in the air.⁠

Well, a player learns to do the same thing, before they can hit a ball and before they begin to initiate their volleyball spike technique. ⁠

 These 3 volleyball exercises to improve spike skills focuses on you learning to hit more balls in the court with a quicker armswing and aggressive spike approach to beat blockers.  


Problem: If you find yourself hitting balls out

  • because you’re underneath the ball that’s been set to you and 
  • if you’re looking for ways to get the most power out of your spike approach jump… this drill could help you solve those to issues.

Hadley works on:

Solution:

👉🏾attacking the last two steps of her spike approach .. while also

👉🏾working on staying behind the ball she bump sets to herself without drifting under it.

1. Bump to yourself then

2. bump set to yourself..

3. take the last two steps of your spike approach… combined with your aggressive well timed armswing.

With your armswing..

👉🏾Keep your elbow high as you reach to hit the ball ..

👉🏾contacting it at the 12 o’clock spot on the ball.

In this version I had Hadley start with her back to the net.. just to make it more challenging.. but you don’t have to do it that way.

Good luck!


Do You Follow Me on Pinterest?

Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience. These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis. Sign up now!Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience. These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis. Sign up now!


Follow me on Pinterest Volleybragswag to improve your game even faster!

I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 


Volleyball Player Whisperer in Vegas Restoring Power + Peace + Passion To Burnt Out Players, High Performance Volleyball Coach, ImproveYourVolley Web Author, Peace Love Volleyball CollectionVolleyball Player Whisperer in Vegas Restoring Power + Peace + Passion To Burnt Out Players, High Performance Volleyball Coach, ImproveYourVolley Web Author, Peace Love Volleyball Collection

AUTHOR BIO

April Chapple is an elite private volleyball trainer, former USA National Team member, and University of Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee who has coached in Las Vegas for 15+ years, training hundreds of athletes and helping numerous players reach college volleyball, including Division I standouts.

She's also the head coach for girls and boys 18s at Squad VBC and offers coaches consulting on technical teaching and player development. Connect with April on LinkedIn or at ImproveYourVolley.com, where her eye for overlooked talent sets her apart.


From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?

What Are You Looking For?

Click to Download Your Pre Serving Ritual Mastery Checklist pdf:

🎯Volleyball Pre Serving Ritual Guide -

Players! Learn How To Transform Your Serve from Weak to Weapon

Click to Download Your Parent's Volleyball Serving Checklist pdf

🎯Parent's Volleyball Serving Checklist Guide

Parents! Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves (Even If You've Never Played)


5freeseervingtips600by600promoGet 5 FREE Serving Tips (Plus 20 Bonus Techniques)! at ImproveYourVolley.com/complete-serving-system-checklists.html

Hi there!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you learned something today that will help you reach your volleyball goals.

Be sure to subscribe to my email newsletter so you can learn more each week!

Stay strong! Stay motivated!

-Coach April


 SUSCRIBE  to my email newsletter below!

as seen as on USA News InfluencerTennessee Athletics Honors April Chapple at Champions Weekend for Legendary Volleyball Achievements

Congratulations to my seven Boys-18s Vegas Volley club players who played in two state championship finals yesterday, the 3A and 5A State champinship finals at Sunrise Mountain High School.

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS! In It To Win It Tournament, May 2-4, 2025 Tournament A-1 Vegas Volleyball Club Gold Medalists, 18s Premier Division

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!

A-1 Vegas Volley VBC

    In It To Win It      Tournament   

May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament

Gold Medalists

18s Premier Division



Vegas Volleyball's Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Moms with Peace Love Volleyball Shirts

In the city that never sleeps, my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are your 24/7 support system. Las Vegas pulses with endless energy, and as a volleyball mom, you're the powerhouse behind your player's non-stop journey.In the city that never sleeps, my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are your 24/7 support system.
More than just clothing, my shirts are a tribute to the tireless spirit of Vegas volleyball moms.More than just clothing, my shirts are a tribute to the tireless spirit of Vegas volleyball moms.
With motivational messages and vibrant designs, they mirror the dynamic energy of our city while celebrating your constant presence in your player's volleyball adventure.With motivational messages and vibrant designs, they mirror the dynamic energy of our city while celebrating your constant presence in your player's volleyball adventure.
In a town that's always on, you're the ever-present force driving your player's success.In a town that's always on, you're the ever-present force driving your player's success.

Ready to energize your volleyball mom journey?

Subscribe to my 'Producing Powerful Passionate Peaceful Players' email list above on ImproveYourVolley.com.

You'll receive energy-boosting tips, exclusive insights from me,        Coach April Chapple on maintaining momentum in volleyball.

Let's power up the Vegas volleyball scene together!


Struggling with the unique demands of being a volleyball mom in the desert? My Peace Love Volleyball shirts offer both comfort and inspiration for the challenges you face. From dealing with intense heat during outdoor practices to long drives across the valley for tournaments, Vegas volleyball moms face obstacles that others might not understand.Dear Vegas Volleyball Mom, I know that balancing Vegas life with volleyball commitments can feel like walking a tightrope, but my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are here to support you every step of the way.
As the Vegas volleyball scene grows, so does the pressure on players and moms alike. My Peace Love Volleyball shirts are here to remind you of your inner peace amidst the chaos.As the Vegas volleyball scene grows, so does the pressure on players and moms alike. My Peace Love Volleyball shirts are here to remind you of your inner peace amidst the chaos.
In a city known for its high energy, finding moments of calm can be challenging, especially when juggling the demands of volleyball life.In a city known for its high energy, finding moments of calm can be challenging, especially when juggling the demands of volleyball life.
My volleyball mom shirts aren't just about looking good - they're about feeling good too.My volleyball mom shirts aren't just about looking good - they're about feeling good too.
With messages that promote mindfulness and positivity, they serve as a wearable reminder to breathe, center yourself, and approach each volleyball challenge with a peaceful mindset.With messages that promote mindfulness and positivity, they serve as a wearable reminder to breathe, center yourself, and approach each volleyball challenge with a peaceful mindset.
In the fast-paced world of Vegas volleyball, these moments of zen can make all the difference.In the fast-paced world of Vegas volleyball, these moments of zen can make all the difference.

Recent Articles

RSS

  1. Improve Your Volleyball With Me Private Volleyball Coach April Chapple

    Jun 08, 26 02:17 AM

    my best orange dress selfie
    Improve your volleyball with Coach April Chapple, creator of the Las Vegas Volleyball Boot Camp, Breakfast Club and Vegas Volley 18s Boys and Girls Head Coach

    Read More

  2. A Setter Volleyball Checklist With Tips To Improve How To Set A Ball

    Jun 07, 26 10:48 PM

    michigan volleyball setter against cmu
    Learn how to improve your setting technique with these setter volleyball checklist tips that breakdown what to do with each body part from head to toe.

    Read More

  3. Tool The Block Volleyball Wipe and How To Use The Block For Points

    Jun 07, 26 08:51 PM

    Varsity high school blocker watches the hitter Ralph Arvesen
    Learn to tool the block volleyball wipe and how to use the block when you get a trap set or need hitting options in order to score a point or sideout.

    Read More