This study examined gender differences in the technical performance of the volleyball spike jump (SpJ) and its association with attack zones. A total of 511 attacking actions (244 male players, 267 female players) were analyzed from matches in the Czech highest volleyball leagues during the 2024/2025 season. Chi-square tests of independence revealed significant gender differences in take-off type (p = 0.001), forward shoulder flexion during arm swing (AS; p < 0.001), backward shoulder extension during AS (p = 0.004), and elbow extension during AS (p < 0.001). In this regard, female players more frequently utilized the high-stop take-off (p = 0.002), whereas male players more commonly employed the parallel take-off (p = 0.002). Female players were also significantly associated with high shoulder flexion during the forward AS, combined with low and middle elbow extension angles during a backward AS (p < 0.001). By contrast, male players were significantly associated with low shoulder flexion during the forward AS and high elbow extension during a backward AS (p < 0.001). In addition, a high prevalence of high shoulder extension during a backward AS was found in male players (p = 0.001), while female players more often showed middle shoulder extension (p = 0.007). Analysis of the association between the technical performance and attack zones in male players revealed significantly higher frequency of high-stop, low-stop, and parallel take-offs from zones 6, 4, and 3, respectively (p < 0.001). Additionally, single-leg landings in male players were associated with attacks from zone 4 (p < 0.001). In female players, a higher prevalence of parallel take-offs was found from zone 3 (p < 0.001). These findings highlight distinct gender-specific technical strategies in the SpJ.
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