Introduction:

Spike technique is a fundamental technical-tactical offensive movement in volleyball. It helps the team score points and is therefore essential to win. Strengthening motor skills implies optimizing sport preparation on all levels.

Objective:

Biomechanically analyze volleyball spike phases and mechanical variables as performed by junior and youth players from Pichincha sports complex.

Methods:

Nineteen female volleyball players (11 junior and 8 youth) were selected by intentional non-probabilistic sampling to conduct a biomechanical study of the five phases of the technical movement of spike, alongside Total Spike Time (TST), Preparation Time Before the Blow (PTBB), and Body Angle in Relation to the Center of Mass (BARCM).

Results:

Only one significant difference was found in the five phases of the spike technique in the two independent groups studied (Phase 4: p= 0.001), which had to do with the elbow angle in the ball hitting phase (a smaller average range in the youth group: 5.38). No other significant differences were found, though average ranges were smaller in the junior group in phases 1, 2, 3, and greater in the fifth phase (spine angle: 11.91). Additionally, significant differences were only found in TST (p= 0.033), and non-significant differences in the Preparation Time Before the Blow (PTBB: p= 0.717) and the Body Angle in Relation to the Center of Mass (BARCM: p= 0.717).

Conclusions:

Spine angles do not exert a significant influence on spike technique. However, elbow angles played a role in better elbow flexion and hand positioning, potentially generating a stronger impact on the ball and therefore greater difficulties for the opponent's defense.

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