Volleyball Spike

WHAT ARE THE BIOCHEMICAL MOVEMENT PRINCIPLES IN THE VOLLEYBALL SPIKE?

 Information‐movement coupling is a fundamental concept, integral to theorist on the coordination of goal‐directed activity in ecological psychology. Throughout this blog, we examine the implications of biochemical principles, research and the notion of newtons laws, during the acquisition of movement coordination in sport tasks. The task vehicle for our analysis is interception actions, in particular self‐paced extrinsic timing tasks exemplified by Spiking in sports such as volleyball. Recent research highlighting the relevance of information‐movement coupling for the process of practice in sport is discussed. We conclude that information‐movement coupling represents an important principle for the structural organization of research and practice in self‐paced extrinsic timing tasks and that further work is required to verify its significance across a range of sport movements, (Davids, 2008).

When the volleyball spike is broken down into movement phases, the specific bodily movements can be analysed through a bio mechanical approach. This approach will assist in improving the performance of the individual through quantitative research. Quantitative analysis can be explained through many bio mechanical principles to provide specific numerical information about the movement analysed (Wuest & Fisette, 2012, p.206). Specific information regarding aspects such as the joint angles during movement, the force generated, and the speed of movement is provided. The analysis of the volleyball spike will follow a quantitative approach that will ideally improve an individual’s execution of the skill.

Newtons laws in the Vertical Jump

There are several principles that are relevant in analysing the preparation phase of the volleyball spike in order to maximize the power and speed. The volleyball spike should initially begin when the set is half the distance to the spiker. There are several footwork patterns that a volleyball player may use in order to execute the volleyball spiker, but it can be seen that not all are as efficient bio-mechanically when compared to the muscle expenditure of certain jumping techniques (Ziv & Lidor, 2010, p.562).

When the spiker jumps, they are applying a vertical and horizontal force when the feet contact the ground (Blazevich, 2012, p.45). Newton’s Third Law explains the action and reaction of the spikgoogleers jump from the ground

During Newton’s Third Law a vertical force is applied when the foot makes contact with the ground. The ground then exerts an equal and opposite reaction force (Blazevich, 2012, p.45). The volleyball spiker must be conscious of the fact that if the force is large enough to overcome their inertia during the ground contact the equal and opposite reaction will accelerate them forwards (Blazevich, 2012, p.45). This movement is beneficial but it must be timed accurately so that the spiker does not make contact with the net, it can also be important that combining elements as well as the players coordination to execute accurately.

The Law of Conservation of Momentum states that the momentum of a system remains unchanged unless it is acted upon by an external force (Blazevich, 2012, p.112). This knowledge can be used to analyse a volleyball players body mass in proportion to their momentum which can ultimately increase their jump velocity. For example a 60 kg volleyball player can produce enough force to gain a momentum of 840 kg∙m∙sˉ¹. However if they lost 3 kg in body mass their jump velocity would increase by 0.7 m∙sˉ¹ (Blazevich, 2012, p.217).

Contact

High shoulder forces and torque are generated in the volleyball spike (Escamilla & Andrews, 2009, p.580). Torque refers to the movement of force being the magnitude of force which causes the rotation of an object (Blazevich, 2012, p.63). To maximise the volleyball spike it is essential to create a longer lever. By doing this a greater distance between the axis of rotation (shoulder) and the point of contact (hand) is created which will allow for a higher rate of velocity (Blazevich, 2012, p.20). The longer the arm, the higher the chance for increasing the distance between the muscle and the joint which, therefore, results in the arm being able to apply greater amounts of torque on the ball.

 For example the picture shows a greater distance between the axis of rotation (shoulder) and the point of contact (hand) is created which will allow for a higher rate of velocity.

In the volleyball spike it is important to recognise that the aim of spiking the ball is to transfer the maximum amount of momentum from the body and into the ball. The volleyball player is required to transfer the kinetic energy produced into potential energy. Therefore, it can be explained that the shorter amount of time that the hand is on the ball, the greater the force that is able to be maintained and applied to the ball (Tiffany, 2002).

The Magnus effect refers to changing of trajectory of an object towards the direction of spin which result from the Magnus force (lifting force acting on a spinning object) (Blazevich, 2012, p.240). In order for a volleyball to move in a near-random trajectory along a near-parabolic path it is more accurate to hit the ball with no spin at all (Blazevich, 2012, p.221). However, in the volleyball spike it would be more effective to place topspin on the ball to maximize power, speed and accuracy.

 Magnus effect showing that the change in trajectory, giving the spiker the ability to create topspin.

According to the Magnus effect, if topspin (where the top of the ball spins over the bottom of the ball) is placed on the ball, the air on top of the ball would slow down and the air underneath the ball would move reasonably faster (Blazevich, 2012, p.193). This results in a Magnus force where the pressure on the top of the ball would be higher which would cause the force to be directed down towards the ground resulting in the ball dipping (Blazevich, 2012, p.619). Understanding the ability to relay this knowledge is another example of how effective the principles of the Magnus Effect are when teaching hitters that they can apply maximum force without compromising accuracy.

Finish and Recover

The follow through phase is equally as important as the preparation and contact phase. The aim of the follow through is to make a clean recovery so that no foul can be called or no injury can occur while in transition to the next play. It is crucial for  volleyball player to keep their head and eyes still during the execution of the spike (Blazevich, 2012, p.66). This will ultimately improve the accuracy of the movement while the center of mass rises and falls during the jump of the spike (Blazevich, 2012, p.66). The landing of the spike requires the dissipation of the kinetic energy that is generated during the athletes jump (Tillman, Hass, Brunt, & Bennett, 2004, p.31). The increase in the jump height must be followed by a relative increase in the kinetic energy which is required to be absorbed by the body in order to avoid injury and gives the player the best chance to return to the starting position ready for the next rally.

The Answer

Looking to the overarching question of this blog ‘what are the bio-mechanical movement principles that are crucial to the volleyball spike?’ It is clear that there are a number of factors that influence an individual’s ability to successfully perform the skill. Starting with Newton’s Laws of Motion and how an athlete can maximize their vertical jump height, through firstly overcoming inertia, then applying force, which is then applied back through them courtesy of the ground. It is crucial to have low body mass and have the ability to produce large vertical forces to jump high. In addition to Newton’s Laws of Motion, another two bio-mechanical principles that are important in applying maximum force during the volleyball spike are angular velocity an moment of force (torque). These principles are closely linked to height and as such arm length, which results in a greater capacity to apply force to the ball.  Genetics also play a key role in determining how much force one can exert on the ball during the volleyball spike. Lastly, when looking more at accuracy, topspin and the principles of The Magnus Effect give athletes the knowledge that if they can correctly apply topspin to the ball it will greatly enhance their ability to hit the ball with force as well as accuracy. Finally, these bio-mechanical principles are just some of the many examples of factors that are crucial in applying power and achieving greater accuracy during the volleyball spike and it is the combination of these as well as regular training that will see the greatest improvements. To finish the spike efficiently the landing requires the dissipation of the kinetic energy that is generated during the athletes jump (Tillman, Hass, Brunt, & Bennett, 2004, p.31). These factors combined will ultimately assist a volleyball player in producing a spike that is both powerful and fast while maintaining accuracy.

How else can we use this information?

The information gathered for the purpose of this blog is not exclusive to volleyball and can be applied to many different sports. To begin with, the principals involved with increasing vertical leaping ability can be closely linked to numerous other sports where athletes are required to jump repeatedly. For example, basketball players, ruck-men in the AFL and even wide receivers in the NFL all need to focus on reducing body mass and increasing the amount of vertical force they can produce. Furthermore, the principles of Angular Velocity and Moment of force (torque) can be also be transferred to a number of other sports namely baseball, cricket and tennis (in fact any sport using a racket or bat). The greater the distance between the axis of rotation and the force (to a optimum point of course) would result in an increase in force application on an object. Moreover, these principles can even be utilized by runners, whereby longer limb length allows for a faster linear foot speed and thus faster movement. Finally, when looking at the Magnus Effect, there are implications for any sport that uses a ball. When looking at the volleyball example where topspin can be the primary examples are tennis and cricket where applying spin on the ball can significantly improve performance.

                                                                                                     

 An 

example transfer of information from this blog into other sports can be shown in this simple design of an over arm throw and comparing to a volleyball spike.

References  

Blazevich, A. (2010). Sports biomechanics, the basics: Optimising human performance. A&C Black

Davids, K., Button, C., & Bennett, S. (2008). Dynamics of skill acquisition: A constraints-led approach. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Davids, K, Kingsburya,  D,  Bennetta, S, & Handford C, 2001, Information-movement coupling: Implications for the organization of research and practice during acquisition of self-paced extrinsic timing skills Journal of Sports Sciences, Volume 19, Issue 2 viewed 22 May 2015.cb

Fitness Testing: Vertical Jump Testing, viewed 20 May, 2015  http://www.topendsports.com/testing/results/vertical-jump.htm

Tillman, M. D., Hass, C. J., Brunt, D., & Bennett, G. R. (2004). Jumping and landing techniques in elite women’s volleyball. Journal of sports science & medicine, 3(1), 30-36.

Ziv, G., & Lidor, R. (2010). Vertical jump in female and male volleyball players: a review of observational and experimental studies. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 20(4), 556-567.