A spike in volleyball is an offensive play where a player swings the ball with their palm sharply downwards over the net and into the opposing court, making it difficult for the opposing team to recover the ball. It is the most effective attack in high levels of play, used by each team to score points. The spike is generally on the third and final touch and involves an approach with footwork, a jump, and then an attack. To legally spike the ball when positioned at the net, you must be a front row player. Back row players can legally spike the ball from behind the 10-foot (3-meter) line, which is a much more difficult type of volleyball attack and is used only by more experienced volleyball players. The basic classical spike is made by jumping off of both feet, and a spiker usually takes a series of steps to attack the ball. These steps are called a volleyball approach, and the goal of the volleyball approach is to get in the best position possible to attack the ball. When spiking, the player moves their arm in a way such that they angle the ball to land on the ground of the opponents side of the court. Usually, a spike is hit with great force at a downward angle, but more skilled spikers use other volleyball strategies for attacking to trick the opponent while positioned to receive the ball.