Regardless of the level of play, if you ever watch volleyball you will notice that teams don’t always just spike the ball. Sometimes, players will intentionally hit the ball softer in an effort to make it land on an open spot on the court. If that’s the case, then there’s a good chance that they made use of what’s called a roll shot. So what is a roll shot in volleyball?
What is a roll shot in volleyball
A roll shot is an extremely valuable weapon to add to your arsenal of volleyball attacks. Similar to a tip, a roll shot is an off-speed attack that is easy to control and a great way to catch the defense on their heels. It is used quite often in beach volleyball but can be equally effective in indoor.
While a spike has a straight trajectory, a roll shot has a bit of an arch to it. This allows you to place the volleyball in front of the opposing team’s defenders as they are likely anticipating a much faster attack. Essentially, a roll shot is similar to a pitcher throwing a changeup in baseball.
Another great thing about the roll shot is that it makes blocks ineffective. As you get better, your ability to roll the ball over the opposing block and onto the court will become second nature. It’s also important to note that the roll shot can be extremely effective in targeting the back corners of the volleyball court.
That being said, Don’t rely too heavily on the roll shot. It works best when you only use it once in a while. Pound the volleyball a few times to get the defense on their heels and then whip it out as a secret weapon.
Now let’s talk about the fun part: How to do a roll shot in volleyball!
Before you make contact
Okay, so the first thing that we need to talk about is the time leading up to actually making your roll shot. The key here is to do everything exactly the same as you would if you were approaching to spike the volleyball. We want the opposing defense to think a spike is coming!
Step 1: Make your approach/arm swing
Just in case you are unfamiliar with the volleyball approach, let’s take a second to review. For a more detailed description, click here!
Note: The steps below are for a right-handed hitter. If you are a lefty, use the opposite foot as listed.
- The first step should be a small step with your right foot. This step will help set the tempo of your approach.
- The second step is a bigger step with your left foot. It should be a bit faster and your arms should come forward just a bit.
- The third step is your power step. It should be faster and larger than the others creating quite a bit of momentum. As you take your third step, Swing your arms back as much as you can.
- Your final step is your plant step. As your left foot hits the ground, swing your arms forward and allow the momentum to propel you into the air.
Step 2: Take a look at the defense right before you jump
This step can be very difficult if you are new to the game of volleyball. Essentially, looking across the net to the opposing team’s defense means you will be taking your eyes off of the incoming set. That being said, it will have a huge impact on the success of your roll shot.
Just prior to taking the final step of your approach, quickly look to see how the opposing team is setting up their defense. The main thing that you are looking for is if they are playing defense to protect the line or protect the angle. Do your best to evaluate so you can try to put the ball as far away from their players as possible.
As you get to higher levels of volleyball, defenses might try to confuse you. Players may lineup in line defense and then quickly move to cover the angle shot. this is where it gets really fun because then the game of volleyball becomes just like an active chessboard. That’s why adding a roll shot to your arsenal can be so deadly!
Step 3: Sell the spike!
Okay so now the player must become an actor. In order for the roll shot to work you really need to sell that you are going to spike the ball as hard as you possibly can. *Don’t oversell it though because then everyone will know it’s coming, haha*
As simple as it sounds, the best way to sell the spike is to just go up with the intention of spiking the volleyball. If you think to yourself that it is a good time to whip out the roll shot, just slow your swing and go for it!
Making contact
Step 4: Slow your swing
As you begin your swing you can allow your quick-twitch muscles to fire as usual. The difference is that you won’t accelerate to impact, but instead slow your arm to a controlled pace. Aim to make contact with the middle to lower half of the volleyball.
Step 5: Hit and Roll
Strike the volleyball at the middle to lower half and roll your hand to the top (by snapping your wrist). The more that you are able to roll your hand, the more spin you will be able to create. This spin is what causes the volleyball to drop and can be the difference between your roll shot landing in the court or just past the end line.
Step 6: Snap your wrist
Even though I mentioned it above, I wanted to mention it again because it is so important. SNAP YOUR WRIST! You need to create as much spin on the volleyball as possible.
It’s also important to note that your wrist snap is responsible for the direction that the volleyball goes. In order to change the direction of the volleyball, turn your palm towards the area you want the ball to land as you snap your wrist. For instance, if I’m a right-handed hitter and my palm is facing to the left at the end of my wrist snap then the volleyball will likely land on the left side of the volleyball court.
After Contact
Step 7: Follow Through
After you make contact with the volleyball, be sure to follow through. Following through with your roll shot will allow you to guide the volleyball in the direction that you want it to go.
This will also prevent you from developing any bad habits for when you are actually trying to spike the volleyball. Cutting your swing short will lead you to be inconsistent and unreliable which will definitely be a factor when your setter is deciding who to set!
Step 8: Get ready for defense
As you finish your swing, do your best to land flat on your feet so you can get ready to play defense. The thing about roll shots is, if you don’t hit them in the right area then there’s a decent chance that they will get dug. If that happens, you need to be ready to block the opposing team!
Where to aim the roll shot in volleyball
Now that you know HOW to do a roll shot in volleyball, you might be wondering where to aim. The key is to use the whole volleyball court and take what the defense gives you. This is why it is so important to take a peek at the other side of the net just before you jump.
If the defense is playing for the cross-court shot then it might make sense to go deep down the line. On the other hand, if the defense is protecting the line then you should probably hit a cut shot. If in doubt, my personal favorite is to just hit the roll shot down the line but go with your gut because it’s probably right!
When do you use a roll shot in volleyball
The best time to use a roll shot in volleyball is quite simply whenever it makes sense. I know that might be confusing but it’s true. For instance, if you see the back corner of the volleyball court is open and you are confident in your roll shot then go for it! At the same time, if you’ve been pounding spikes and the defense is on their heels then it might make sense to use a roll shot to get the ball to land in front of them.
The more you play volleyball the more you’ll realize when to use the roll shot and when to swing away. There will certainly be volleyball games in which you don’t use the roll shot at all. That being said, It’s an amazing attack to add to your repertoire because you never know when it might come in handy!