Game version
Toss-and-hit pairs: a partner tosses and you approach and hit to a target zone, then swap. The pair counts clean hits together.
Approach Footwork
Learn the steps of the spike approach without a ball.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Core: Approach. Beat your own best out of 10.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Gym or court
- Bring
- Line or tape
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Hitting
The steps
How it works
- Right-handers step left, right, left (left-handers the opposite).
- Swing both arms back on the last two steps.
- Jump straight up and land on two feet.
- Do 15 approaches.
Coaching point
Slow to fast, big last two steps.
Safety: Land on two feet on a non-slip surface. Stop if your knees or ankles hurt. At a net, jump and land on your own side, under yourself, and never cross the centerline.
Step by step
The drill in 2 frames
step left
Right-handers step left, right, left (left-handers the opposite).
right, left
Right-handers step left, right, left (left-handers the opposite).
- Run or crawl
- Faint: already done
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (stand and hit), Core (approach), More (call the zone first). Beat your own best out of 10.
Story
You are a thunderbolt: one clean approach, one bright flash.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best out of 10. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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