Volleyball is a game of angles. Teams score points by sending the ball to uncovered areas -- or to places where defenders cannot receive, dig or block the ball and keep it in play. A good offensive team serves, passes, sets and hits the ball tactically while forcing the defense to cover the entire court.
Serving Angles
A server may keep the opponent off balance by directing the ball to different spots on the court. Serves angled toward either deep corner are hard to return. Jump serves angled short can force front-row players to pass. A good jump serve with topspin drops toward the court at a sharper angle than long float serve. "It is not the velocity of the jump spin serve as much as it is the location that makes the jump spin serve effective," Winthrop University Assistant Coach Chuck Rey observed on his website.
Attacking Angles
In addition to power, successful hitters will use strategy and accuracy, spiking at different angles. (Reference 1, USA Volleyball). If an outside blocker is playing the diagonal hit, the hitter can strike a deep line shot straight ahead instead. Against a double block, the hitter can smash a cross-court shot through the seam between blockers. Hitters can mix in cut shots at harsh left angles along the net.
Tips and Dink Angles
Against aggressive blocking teams, tips and dinks are an effective change of pace. A good topspin dink shot will barely clear the net and drop to the court in play. A good tip pushes the ball over or away from the blocker. The goal is to read the defense and put the ball into the open spots of the court. (Reference 1, USA Volleyball).
Setting Angles
Setters place balls at varying heights. They may set balls tight to the net or off the net. They may set the ball to a middle hitter or an outside hitter. Placement depends on the play call, the read of the opposing defense and/or the preferences of the hitters. Different sets create different attacking angles. Also, setters can beat defenses with well-placed dump shots. (Reference 1, USA Volleyball)
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