Gravitational force, or the force of attraction between an object and the Earth, has an impact on every element of volleyball. Whether you are serving, bumping or spiking, gravity will affect every interaction you have with the ball. Therefore, it is beneficial to understand how gravity applies to volleyball, because it can help improve your game.
Serving
When you serve, you exert an upward and forward force on the volleyball to make it go over the net and toward your opponent. Gravity exerts a downward force on the ball as it travels in the air, which causes the ball to fall down on the opponent’s side after clearing the net. To make the volleyball drop more quickly after clearing the net, you can add top spin to your serve by snapping your wrist so that it skids over the ball as you serve. The spin on the ball will create a pressure difference above and below the ball. This results in a downward force that, with gravity, causes the ball to fall quickly on the opponent’s side after clearing the net, according to researcher Dr. Marion Alexander. This will make it difficult for the opposing team to return your serve and increase your chances of scoring.
Passing
Passing is a crucial skill in volleyball when setting up offensive plays. When you perform a forearm pass, or bump, you exert an upward and forward force on the ball toward a target player. Gravity exerts a downward force on the ball, and if you do not compensate for this, your target player will not have time to set himself underneath the ball before it hits the ground. To account for the force of gravity, simply follow through with your forearm when bumping to exert force on the ball over a longer period of time. This will cause the ball to go higher and ensure that the target player has time to prepare herself beneath the ball, according to ThinkQuest.
Spiking
When you spike a volleyball, you have the opportunity to deliver a crushing offensive blow to your opponent. When spiking, you exert a downward force on the ball so that it falls rapidly on the opponent’s side of the court, making it very difficult for your opponent to return the ball. Gravity works in your favor when you spike, because it also exerts a downward force that makes the ball fall to the court floor. For this reason you do not necessarily have to exert tremendous downward force to spike effectively, because gravitational force is also acting on the ball in the same direction.
Digging
Digging is a defensive play that prevents the ball from hitting the court floor and can bring your team back from the brink of losing a point. When digging a volleyball, you are exerting a sharply upward force to prevent the ball from hitting the floor. However, gravity is exerting a downward force on the ball, and if you do not account for this you will not hit the ball high enough to prevent it from hitting the ground. To account for this, bend your knees low to generate force with your legs when digging. This will ensure that you hit the ball high enough for your teammates to get into position, according to ThinkQuest.
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