DETERMINISTIC FACTORS OF OVERALL BALL CONTACT HEIGHT DURING HIGH-OUTSIDE FRONT-ROW VOLLEYBALL ATTACKS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to quantify the deterministic factors of overall ball contact height among elite level volleyball attackers. Thirty-two trials collected from nine members of the 1999 USA National A2 Team were subjected to 3D analysis. Results demonstrated that takeoff height (CM height at takeoff) and reach height (vertical distance between the hand and CM at contact) accounted for 86.7% of the overall ball contact height. Flight height (in-flight CM elevation) accounted for only 14% of overall height. Reach height was the only meaningful sUb-height that was significantly correlated with overall ball contact height (r=O.70) and appeared to be most sensitive to technique-related differences in performance. Horizontal approach speeds used by the athletes in this study were relatively slow (3.4±O.3 m·s-1) but were positively correlated with flight height (r=O.60).