The idea for this post came from a reader in Russia, who asked an interesting question about a shot that they call the “crab”, but first for the two most common alternatives to the standard attack. Thanks Alexei

Here we see the common “Pokie” or knuckle, on the left, and the “cobra” on the right. (I’m sure there are plenty of other names for it.) The knuckle is used by just about every player, and because the contact is very bouncy, there is no danger of ever being called for a carry. It is also quite easy to hit an accurate shot with the pokie, so I highly recommend practising it.

The “Cobra” on the right is much harder to control, and is also harder to execute. The only reason you should be playing a cobra is if you are up against a big block, on a tight set, and you just want to get to the ball first to make your shot. The only advantage of this shot over the pokie is the extra few centimetres that you get by extending your fingers. It’s important to keep your fingers nice and straight so it looks like a nice clean contact to the ref.

Here are a couple of potential problems that you risk with a Cobra.

Both these images show poorly played cobras that should be called a fault.

“To play the cobra, the fingers need to be rigid and together! Which includes the thumb.” – Qualified referee

The next example is definitely illegal, known as “Throw”. In indoor volleyball, it is legal, and referred to as a “dink” or “tip” or “dump”, but in beach it’s illegal. The contact here is made with the pads of the fingers and the ball is pushed rather than hit.

The Throw

And this brings me to the inspiration for this post. The “Crab”.

The Crab

This shot is actually played with the fingernails. I have to admit, I have never seen this shot used in competition. The official word from my friend the referee is this: “if the {ball is played with} knuckles/fingers nails, and not the tips {pads} of the fingers/ thumb then we are just looking for the ball to rebound. if not, … then fault..”

The actual rule relating to this says: “The ball must be hit, not caught or thrown.”

So it seems that if this shot comes off the hand quickly, it will be OK. As long as no finger pads come in contact with the ball and the thumb is bent so that the thumb pad does not contact the ball.

If the ball sticks at all, or seems to be pushed rather than rebounding, or the thumb is extended, or any of the fingers are extended then it should be called a fault.

Below is a sequence of images showing what will happen when this shot is played. Unless you have very strong fingers, then it will be impossible to stop them from bending on impact which will stop the ball from rebounding, so you need to keep your fingers very rigid when you play this shot.

I thought I would write a short post explaining why this shot is so effective for both side out and transition.

Below are two diagrams showing two side out scenarios.

In the first diagram, the right side player is attacking the ball from near the antenna. Assuming that the block is on the line, he/she has three main options.

1. Roll line over the block
2. Power angle
3. Sharp angle shot

This is a standard set up. The standard defence for this is to wait on the angle for the power hit, and then chase a shot if it comes. If you have a very big blocker, then chasing that line shot can sometimes be quite easy because the attacker needs to give the ball a lot of height to go over the block. (This was the problem that Rogers faced against Alison in the final.)

In the second diagram, the side out attacker, is hitting the set about 2.5 – 3 metres inside the antenna. While this makes the sharp angle hit a lot harder, it opens up the fast line shot option. The attacker now has the following options.

1. Roll line over the block
2. Power angle
3. Sharp angle shot
4. FAST Short line shot

This fast line shot passes the side of the block, so it is impossible for a defender to dig, unless he/she anticipates the shot and moves early. You can’t wait on the angle and chase it. It’s too fast. So now the side out player has a fast option either side of the block forcing the defender to show his/her hand early.

When Rogers made this tactical chance against Harley – Alison, Harley stayed on the angle most of the time. When Rogers played the fast line shot, it left Harley about 6 metres from the ball with no hope of making a dig.

Todd Rogers, just about to side out with an angle shot

One of the common traits in all the best side out players, especially the smaller ones, is their ability to see the block, and or the defender.

In the ideal situation, a player should know where the defender is, and see where the block is as they are hitting the ball.

There are a few different schools of thought about where a player should be looking as they approach the ball, but I don’t think anyone would disagree with me when I say that a player should have their eyes focussed on the ball at the moment of contact. In that moment, it is often hard to see the defender. They might be sitting behind the block, or somewhere outside the range of your peripheral vision.

However, if you have made a reasonable pass, and the set is OK, then you should be able to see where the block is using your peripheral vision.

This is a simple drill to help you focus your peripheral vision as you are swinging at the ball.

Side out vision

Two player on one side of the net, one setting, and the other attacking.

One player stands in the blocking position with one hand raised to the top of the net.

As the attacker is about to spike, the player at the net simply shows one finger, or two fingers.

If the attacker sees one finger, he/she must hit line. If it’s two, then hit cross.

Why not have a blocker jumping line or cross?

The idea behind this drill is not to train your side out, it is to teach you to focus your peripheral vision. Take the focus away from hitting winners, and just work on making the correct decision. Line or cross based on the finger call.

The next step is to move the net player to back court, and work on line or angle shots depending on whether the back court player raises their left or right hand.

One guy/gal sets the ball, and the other two do all the digging and spiking. It’s great setting practice, and if the passers are a bit rough is also good for fitness. the setter is constantly making short fast movements to the ball.

The setter always sets back to the player that passes the ball.