of the cylinder 102 to reduce the impact and noise as the top portion of the cylinder contacts the top of the piston in the normal relaxed state of the impact absorbing apparatus a pair of contoured bar elements 128 130 are mounted on the housing 24 one adjacent each side of the striker arm opening 132 contoured bar members 128 130 are rigidly retained in position by suitable means such as nuts 134 and cooperate with one another to define a ball positioning rack which supports a volleyball 136 in a striking position in the path of the striking head 96 a pair of stops 138 140 respectively formed on the bar members 128 130 prevent a volleyball from rolling from the striking position regardless of the attitude of the apparatus within the limits of adjustment of the bar 30 so that the striking head 96 always strikes a ball 136 at the same relative position a pair of upstanding brackets 142 144 are rigidly welded to the housing 24 one spaced outwardly from each of the contoured ball support bars 128 130 an elongated ball supply trough 146 has one end pivotally connected to the brackets 142 144 as by pins 148 at points spaced slightly above and outward from the ball striking position the other end of the guide trough 146 is supported by an elongated leg 150 having one end pivotally connected to the trough by a hinge bracket 152 and its other end supported on the floor by a resilient high friction tip 154 in use of the apparatus according to the present invention the electric motor reduction gear drive 70 is started by use of suitable controls such as a.