How do I Stop Dropping my Elbow? I Need Volleyball Hitting Advice

Question:

How can i change this habit in volleyball?

I always drop my elbow in serving and hitting. It's a habit I've had for a long time and i need help breaking it. thanks!

Answer:

The best thing to do is break down the skill into chunks. For example, for awhile, just focus the "elbow to wrist" motion of hitting a volleyball. Ignore the footwork and everything else, and just focus on the arm swing.

A good drill to do is the platform hitting drill. Stand on a platform (or box) at the net and just work on the arm swing.

Start the arm swing by keeping the elbow really close to your ear and just perform the "elbow to wrist" movement.

Don't do the full motion arm swing. Just focus on the elbow to wrist arm action. At contact, the arm should be vertical from shoulder to elbow.

If you have a video camera you can record your arm swing. Immediately watch the video after a few reps so you can get an idea of what you're doing wrong. You could also record someone doing it right and compare the two to have an idea of what exactly the coach is meaning when she says, "you dropped your elbow".

If you focus on keeping elbow next to your ear, you'll keep your elbow up every time. The goal when hitting is to have a "vertical arm". You want a vertical arm so you contact the ball at a higher point.

A vertical arm isn't as important for when serving. Vertical arm at the net for spiking is important because you want to hit the ball down over the net at different angles into the court. The higher the contact, the more options for where to spike. So obviously, reaching higher for serving isn't necessarily as important.

If you don't have a platform you can work on elbow to wrist standing on the ground. Use a wall or partner to perform elbow to wrist. Have a coach or partner watch you to make sure your arm is vertical at contact.

Do these drills over and over again and you'll soon be in the habit of keeping the arm vertical. You'll soon have the feel of what it's like to have a vertical arm. Once you become consistent at this arm swing, you can add in the footwork for hitting to put it all together.