How to Make a Volleyball Spike Trainer

Volleyball spike trainers are equipment used by players to learn and develop new skills and to practice on spiking balls across the net. the components of a spike trainer include a heavy base, a vertical part that has a hitting arm attached to it that holds the ball at an elevated position usually above the net. Volleyball spike trainers are manufactured in designs that allow adjustments on the height at which the ball is held and a rolling base that makes it easier to shift its location. It is however possible to DIY volleyball spike trainer using materials and parts that are readily found in sporting equipment vendors. Manufactured spike trainers are more expensive and impractical especially for non-sponsored players.

Materials and parts that can be assembled to create a volleyball spike trainer include.

Upright and Support Leg

This can be made from a pipe joint compound and a threatened steampipe that makes up the upright component. The elbow of the pipe’s end is manually screwed to and tightened using a pipe wrench. Another pipe joint component is then introduced at one end of the threaded steel pipe. This will act as the support at the base of the upright part. Using a power drill, two holes are made for bolts that will serve the purpose of securing one leg of the hitting arm. These parts are then set aside for later use.

Hitting Arm

To fix the hitting arms, locations need to be marked at 90 degrees bends on an EMT galvanized conduit location of the first bend is then indicated 36 inches away from the end of the piece using a felt-tip marker. The second bend is positioned 18 inches from the other end of the piece. With the use of a conduit bender, the piece is bent at the first mark at a 90 degrees angle. The second mark location on the piece is also bent at a right angle forming shielded hitting armholes that are then made on each arm 2 inches from the end of each arm. Eyebolts are placed into each hole. These will be used during the equipment assembly to tighten to adjustable wrench.

Assembly

To assemble the two pieces into one piece the steel pipe is held upright on a surface and the hitting arm connected to it at the top of the upright. The 18-inch arm is placed in the opposite direction of the 36-inch hitting arm. The hitting arms are connected to the upright component at a 16 inches mark from its top using bolts and locknuts at the positions of the holes that had been drilled earlier.

Base

The base should be weighted and is therefore made from a mixed batch of concrete. The concrete mixture is made by mixing various components such as concrete and water until a suitable consistency is obtained. The support leg of the assembled piece is immersed into the wet concrete mixture in a tub placed on a flat surface. The concrete is left to cure before the cast is removed.

The last step involves the placement of clips and cords on the hitting arm and the volleyball trainer positioned next to a net.

Players use volleyball spiking trainers to help them master skills and correct ball contact position. The ball is stationarily held by the trainer at a higher position such that the player has to jump high as they approach the ball and spike it across the net hitting the ground on the other side. By repeating the same approach to attack the positioned ball, the player can learn the suitable approach and speed of spiking the ball a successful spike. The DIY-made volleyball spiking trainer equipment enables players to have solo practices at their pleasure at the most affordable costs compared to that of manufactured equipment. The manufactured spike trainers are however of better quality and easier to use since the player does not have to manually reload the ball each time.

 The adjustability of the homemade volleyball trainer depends on the design it is made in. The additional number of holes can be made on the upright component and to adjust the position of the elevation of the ball, the hitting arm is connected at the alternative holes using screws and bolts. It is important to note that the power drill used to make the holes require careful handling and eye protection when using. Lastly, the DIY spike trainer is not easily movable from one location to another since it is made out of cured concrete.