If you're serious about the great game of volleyball, you know
that there's always room for improvement. This sport has so much to
offer its players - teamwork, quickness, excitement, fast action...the
list goes on and on.
To
get your game up to scratch, there are a lot of things you can do and a
long list of skills for you to work on. Volleyball, at its most basic,
is a simple sport - serve, pass, set, hit, dig, repeat. But within those
deceptively basic skills is an almost endless variety of proper
techniques and strategies.
Here are six quick and easy tips that will get you started on the road to volleyball success:
1. Make your serve consistent.
It's the easiest point you'll ever score if you do it right, and if you don't do it right, you simply give the other team a free point. Work on first getting the ball over the net and in the court consistently, then work on placement, so you can pick and choose where your serve goes.
2. Move your feet to get to the ball.
A lot of players like to drop to their knees and slide, but your passing will be much more controllable if you run to the ball, get your feet set properly, and have a solid base from which to pass.
3. Work on your vertical jump.
This is a biggie. The higher you can jump, the more likely it is you'll be able to put up a good block or hit over the other team's block, and being a good jumper usually means you're much more flexible in your ability to reach the ball in all situations. Check out http://www.verticaljumping.com/ for some good ideas on how to get up in the air.
4. Improve your cardiovascular fitness.
While volleyball is an anaerobic sport, the more fit you are, the better your game will be throughout matches. In other words, you'll be less likely to fade if the match goes to five sets.
5. Keep your eye on the ball.
This may seem like an obvious point, but you'd be surprised how many people forget to watch the ball. Keeping your eyes firmly fixed on that volleyball will make it seem to move much more slowly, and you'll have more time to react because you won't be caught off guard.
6. Watch the positioning of the other team's players.
While the indoor game is more geared toward big hits than smart shots - unlike beach or grass doubles, where you don't need to be a big hitter to be successful - if you put the ball where the other team isn't, you'll win the point. Before you make your attack, take a look at where the other team is standing and aim for the openings.
These tips are just the "tip" of the iceberg for volleyball skills, but if you follow them, you'll be well on your way to improving your game.
Here are six quick and easy tips that will get you started on the road to volleyball success:
1. Make your serve consistent.
It's the easiest point you'll ever score if you do it right, and if you don't do it right, you simply give the other team a free point. Work on first getting the ball over the net and in the court consistently, then work on placement, so you can pick and choose where your serve goes.
2. Move your feet to get to the ball.
A lot of players like to drop to their knees and slide, but your passing will be much more controllable if you run to the ball, get your feet set properly, and have a solid base from which to pass.
3. Work on your vertical jump.
This is a biggie. The higher you can jump, the more likely it is you'll be able to put up a good block or hit over the other team's block, and being a good jumper usually means you're much more flexible in your ability to reach the ball in all situations. Check out http://www.verticaljumping.com/ for some good ideas on how to get up in the air.
4. Improve your cardiovascular fitness.
While volleyball is an anaerobic sport, the more fit you are, the better your game will be throughout matches. In other words, you'll be less likely to fade if the match goes to five sets.
5. Keep your eye on the ball.
This may seem like an obvious point, but you'd be surprised how many people forget to watch the ball. Keeping your eyes firmly fixed on that volleyball will make it seem to move much more slowly, and you'll have more time to react because you won't be caught off guard.
6. Watch the positioning of the other team's players.
While the indoor game is more geared toward big hits than smart shots - unlike beach or grass doubles, where you don't need to be a big hitter to be successful - if you put the ball where the other team isn't, you'll win the point. Before you make your attack, take a look at where the other team is standing and aim for the openings.
These tips are just the "tip" of the iceberg for volleyball skills, but if you follow them, you'll be well on your way to improving your game.
Gina Longo is a multi-sport athlete, including playing two
varsity sports in college. She's played volleyball for more years than
she'll admit to and has also enjoyed coaching.
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