Cut Shot
A sharp angle to the short pin where you work the outside of the ball and yank your wrist to send the ball back toward the inside of the antenna. It is a favorite against blockers that fly wide because the ball only has to clear the tape, not travel the full diagonal. The shot shows up a lot in women’s international play when the block sells out to take away line.
Example
The right side sells cross with her approach, then cuts hard inside the block. The libero, sitting deep, never gets a read.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you hit a cut shot in volleyball?
Get on the outside half of the ball, keep your shoulder closed a beat longer, then throw your wrist through so the path bends back toward the short corner. The arm speed still looks like a full swing, which is the whole con.