Alkali metals have spherical outer s orbitals unlike elements like carbon which have protruding p orbitals that can "attach" onto other orbitals to form covalent compounds. Even in cases like methane elements like carbon can form hybrid orbitals that still have a protruding p like character.
So how can covalent alkali metals form covalent bonds given that their orbitals are spherical and not protruding?
Does the s orbital distort to be more p like in covalent compounds?
Can the s orbital hybridize and steal a more protruding like character from internal orbitals or from the orbitals of another atom?