How do I Never Hit In the Net or Tape or Out Again? (using Topspin)

Overview

This video is a volleyball hitting lesson rather than a match recap. Presenter Miles Partain explains how topspin can help attackers hit from farther off the net while still bringing the ball down into the court.

Partain says he changed his approach in 2026 after USA volleyball coach Casey Patterson suggested hitting from 6–8 feet off the net instead of his usual 3–4 feet. Hitting from farther back makes the blocker less influential but puts more responsibility on the hitter to keep the ball in play.

Two Adjustments for Creating Topspin

Building on an earlier lesson about contact point and arm path, Partain focuses on two adjustments:

• Set the arm slot in three dimensions. For a right-handed hitter seeking more spin, he recommends getting farther underneath the ball, shifting the contact point toward the non-dominant side, and keeping the arm slightly bent at contact so it can extend upward across the ball.
• Close the body slightly toward the target. Rather than contacting the ball with the body fully open, a slightly closed position can help create spin. Partain demonstrates two options:
  • A thumb-up action, driven mainly by supination.
  • A thumb-down “wrist away” or reverse-kick-serve action, driven by pronation.

He describes the arm path for both options as a tilted Ferris-wheel motion.

Practice and Body Position

The thumb-down version requires more lateral tilt and can be more demanding on the body. Partain advises practicing it slowly and increasing effort in small steps rather than attempting it at full speed immediately. He emphasizes that the movement relies on a coordinated arm path and body mechanics, not just a last-second wrist movement.

He concludes that hitters can adjust their body position with footwork before takeoff and in the air to direct the natural angle of the swing. With the right contact point and arm path, the goal is to hit hard from off the net while using topspin to bring the ball back into the court.

Presenter and Source

• Presenter: Miles Partain
• Source mentioned: Casey Patterson, USA volleyball coach