Nintendo Switch Sports Volleyball Tips

Nintendo Switch Sports Volleyball Tips
Images via Nintendo

Written by 

Dylan Tate

Published 

13th May 2022 17:26

Nintendo Switch Sports volleyball is one of three brand new sports introduced in the latest iteration of the iconic Wii Sports franchise. As a result, longtime fans of the series and newcomers alike will be looking for ways to improve at this Nintendo Switch Sports game. If you’re looking to take your gameplay to the next level, then here are five Nintendo Switch Sports volleyball tips you can use to improve.

Fancy some tips for other games in Switch Sports? Check out these guides:

Nintendo Switch Sports Volleyball Tips: Movement and Teamwork

A Sportsmate prepares to spike in Nintendo Switch Sports volleyball.
Click to enlarge

Like tennis, Nintendo Switch Sports volleyball is a two-versus-two sport. As a result, players may be tempted to approach volleyball in a similar way as tennis. However, there are a few distinct differences in the gameplay of these games, which will require differing strategies even beyond the different rules of the two sports.

Sportsmates will automatically move on their own in volleyball, like in tennis, but players also have the option to move them left or right using the control stick. For this reason, players should move their characters wherever they think their opponent will hit the ball, or stick near the centre so they can react to a quick hit and keep the rally going.

In addition, the two characters on each volleyball team are always controlled separately. This differs from tennis, where solo players control both characters at once. Because of this, players may want to team up with a buddy anytime they play, lest they end up relying on a CPU teammate.

Nintendo Switch Sports Volleyball Tips: Bumping, Setting, And Spiking

A bump in Nintendo Switch Sports volleyball.
Click to enlarge

Besides serving the ball, players have three core options at their disposal when the ball is on their side of the court in Nintendo Switch Sports volleyball; bumping, setting, and spiking. Players can perform a bump by swinging their Joy-Con from a low position in order to push the ball into the air.

Then, players can perform a set by pushing their Joy-Con up into the air in order to set up for the final hit, a spike. Players can flick their Joy-Con upward to jump into the air and then swing it down in order to spike the ball past the net. In addition, players can control the direction of their spike, as the ball will fly in whatever direction they swing their Joy-Con.

In this sport, players do not have to improvise their actions, as bumping, setting, and spiking all happen in a set order. In fact, there will be instructions for the player to follow at the top of the screen, meaning they effectively just have to perform the right action at the right time.

However, timing is crucial in order to bump, set, and spike properly. Executing your hit too soon could cause you to hit the ball weakly, allowing for an easy return from the opponent. Conversely, executing too late could cause you to miss the ball altogether. As a result, players could benefit from practicing these core motions and working toward collecting Nintendo Switch Sports unlockables in the offline Trial Mode.

Nintendo Switch Sports Volleyball Tips: How To Block

A block in Nintendo Switch Sports volleyball.
Click to enlarge

The primary defensive manoeuvre in Nintendo Switch Sports volleyball is blocking. It is specifically the best option for countering a spike attempt from the opposing team. To perform a block, the player simply has to swing their Joy-Con upward as their opponent is about to spike.

As with many other aspects of volleyball, timing is key to executing a good block. To more consistently land their blocks, players need to react to when their opponent jumps for their spike. By jumping after the opponent has reached the peak of their jump, but before the ball is near them, players will have a better shot at blocking the shot and preventing the other team from securing a point.

Nintendo Switch Sports Volleyball Tips: How To Quick Spike

A quick spike in Nintendo Switch Sports volleyball.
Click to enlarge

While Nintendo Switch Sports volleyball is primarily a game about precise timing and solid fundamentals, there is one advanced technique that players can use to get the edge. Known as a quick spike, this hit will launch the ball down faster than a regular spike, making it harder for the opponent to react and return the ball.

To execute a quick spike, the spiking player should initiate their jump just before their teammate sets the ball. By switching between regular and quick spikes, players can mix up the tempo of the match in order to throw off their opponents. Maintaining this kind of control of the game will be crucial for volleyball players looking to excel in the Nintendo Switch Sports Pro League.

Nintendo Switch Sports Volleyball Tips: How To Dive

 

Though it may be tempting for players to focus on offense by using lots of quick spikes, players should also have a defensive game plan in case their opponent successfully blocks their spikes. In this way, diving can be very helpful in making sure the opponent doesn’t secure easy points by landing blocks.

Sportsmates will automatically dive toward the ball if the player shakes their Joy-Con controller. However, this action leaves you immobile for a short period of time, meaning players should not dive for balls unnecessarily. Nevertheless, a well-timed dive can be crucial for keeping a rally going and giving the player another shot at scoring a point for their team.

 

Dylan Tate
About the author
Dylan Tate
Dylan Tate is an alumnus of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is a gaming journalist with a love for Nintendo esports, particularly Super Smash Bros. and Pokémon.
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