Spiking with fingers together or apart?

Question:

I sent my daughter to volleyball camp and the coach is teaching her that she needs to serve the ball with her hand spread open. Is this correct? The coach is also telling her that she has to stand facing the net and throw the ball up with one hand. She has played for 7 years and the last 2 she has thrown the ball up with both hands and then hit it with a closed hand (not fist but fingers together) and she makes it over every time. She does not make it over with her fingers spread like the coach told her. Also, when she goes to spike the ball he states the fingers have to be spread apart. Is that correct? Please let me know.

Answer:

The best way is the way that works. Generally, you have more control when the fingers are apart, but you have more power if the fingers are together. If she is learning to jump serve, then it's sometimes easier to toss with the hitting hand as you approach to jump. If standing on the ground serving, almost everyone is more comfortable tossing with two hands.

Usually it's the younger kids that are more comfortable serving and spiking with fingers together. As she gets older, she needs to learn to spike and serve with fingers apart because she'll hit with more power and control using that technique.

It's just a matter of getting stronger and more comfortable using the technique.