Comparison of Spike Techniques in College Beach and Classical Volleyball

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify differences between the spiking techniques in beach and classical volleyball providing athletes and coaches with timely feedback through identification of differences. Subjects were 18 (n=18) male volleyball players from a university team who regularly participated in classical and beach volleyball competitions. Ten successful phases of spiking were video captured for each subject both on classical and beach volleyball courts. Comparison of spiking techniques in beach and classical volleyball were broken down into four aspects: approach; high squat and detachment; flight; flight end. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in approach were found in mean length of the turn step (102±2.7 cm on court vs 89±3.9 cm on sand), knee and coxofemoral angles (112±2.2° vs 134±1.7° and 94±1.5° vs 103±2.1 Similar patterns of differences were found in high squat and detachment phase - knee and coxofemoral angles were respectively (94±1.5° vs 103±2.1°and 94±1.5° vs 89±3.8°). With the exception of the height, all other flight phase characteristics were similar. Video capture and analysis of spike movements proved to be viable, informative and sufficiently accurate for measurements. Feedback for players and coaches appeared to present a relatively simple and cost-effective method for creating a model of spike movements and a positive change in spiking biomechanics in beach volleyball. The proposed approach to assess spike efficiency was based on three selected parameters: initial ball velocity, hitting the court and hitting the assigned zone. The generalized value of spike efficiency was calculated as the parameters average.