Information about Social Volleyball
SOCIAL VOLLEYBALL FAQ
(FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions)
Written by Harvey A. Kong Tin
#gigatownDUN
A document which tries to answer the most asked questions about Social Volleyball or an all round information text to inform you about
what you should know about in Social Volleyball.
There is a very steep learning curve in learning how to play volleyball - from scratch, with no knowledge or experience beforehand.
However it is very worthwhile to learn how to play properly - as opposed to just hitting a volleyball around, as in social volleyball.
It is important to learn from the start what techniques do work, and what techniques simply don't work - and to start using the
dig, set and spike techniques. I strongly recomend learning how to play volleyball, the techniques - by themselves - not in a game situation
that a good solid 8 hours of practice, before playing your first proper game, would put you in good preparation.
Either by yourself, or in a small group - this can be done without a net.
Say 4 x 2 hours sessions or 8 x 1 hour sessions...
This is so that you know how to receive a serve (usually with a dig) - to pass the ball, to set the ball (for a spike) and to
spike the ball. And how to cope with calling for the ball, to let others know you are going for the ball, and how to cope with the ball,
when it is between players - so as to avoid players crashing into each other.
All the above is unfamiliar to the new player - and so it is best for a beginner to learn about all these, before playing a normal game -
in a practice situation, to ease oneself gently into a fun sport, instead of simply being dropped into a game, with no clue about what to do?
To be dropped in the deep end first, without knowing how to swim --- is very likely to deter a person from playing volleyball,
rather than encouraging them.
Beginners do have to remember that --- You need to have patience, persistence and practice!
To keep at it, volleyball, for say 3 months? or 6 months? To give it a good go --- before finally deciding whether it is for them or not?
You need to be patient with yourself, to not expect too much at first, as it takes time and practice to get use to the techniques used.
You need to be persistent in your desire to improve, and lots of practice will eventually give you the confidence in playing competently.
The reward is --- Volleyball is a fun and social (team) sport, that is easy to get into - that is not extra strenuous, unlike basketball,
netball, soccer, rugby and hockey --- in which you are running all the time. It can be fun and easy exercise on a regular basis,
a lot of social players just play it once a week, for an hour - others - may play for 2 hours each week?
Others perhaps 3-4 hours per week?
The enjoyment you can get from volleyball - is impossible to describe. You can be creative in it, and you can come up with your own
special moves - anyone can...
It can be a family sport - in which all ages can play (aged between 10 and 70?)
- no special equipment is required. You can even do without a net? The cheapest good volleyball is about $25
which should last for many years, against all kinds of hard surfaces, etc.
Note - Social players who just play the 1 hour game, only each week --- will find it very difficult to improve themselves.
They will find that just when they feel they are getting going, that it is almost over - and they face exactly the same situation each week.
I feel you have to go through extensive practice at the very start - say for the first 2-3 months, and then you can drop the
extra practice sessions, down to the 1 hour per week game, if that is what you want? But if you're like me?
Hooked on the game, 1 hour per week is not enough, and so - a second night would be better and a third night - better still.
The more games you've played - the better you become. Anyone who's any good, is because they have put in the practice and game time in.
Emails are welcomed at kiwilove2006@yahoo.com - please put volleyball in the subject title.
The order of information is as follows:
General disclaimer
Brief History
YouTube videos - recommendations
Basics of the Sport
The Basic Techniques
Dig, Set and Spike
Tips for starting
Tips for practice (solo)
Practice (2 or more)
Other techniques
The Rules
The Volleyball
What Volleyball to buy / use
How to look after it
Injuries
How to prevent injuries
How to treat injuries
Glasses
Finger Injuries
Physics
Spin
Serves
Confidence
Team play
Strategies
Recommendations
About the Author
Dunedin, NEW ZEALAND
Feedback
General disclaimer
This is not a text about competitive volleyball or a definative document.
Any obvious errors will be corrected upon being informed thereof of any.
This is a general guide in which I hope most of the information is correct.
I aim to provide useful information for the novice or beginner in particular - that is
the purpose of writing this document.
Brief History
1895 William G. Morgan, a YMCA instructor in Massachusetts, Boston, decided to create a less strenous non-contact sport using
elements of basketball, baseball, tennis and handball into a sport called mintonette.
He used a tennis net raised 6 feet 6 inches above the floor.
Because of people describing the volleying of the ball across the net, the term volleyball came into use.
On July 7, 1896 the first game of "volleyball" was played.
1900 A specific ball was created for use.
1916 In the Philippines the set and spike was introduced.
1917 The scoring changed from 21 to 15 points.
1920 3 hits per side and back row attack rules introduced.
1930 The first 2-man beach volleyball game was played.
There has been some fairly recent rule changes - since about 2000?
That every service counts (meaning you no longer have to be serving to earn a point)
The ball can hit the net on the serve and roll over - it is now legal.
Foot contact is now legal - that instead of having to dive for the ball, you can now use your foot instead. Note - it is not a kick -
because that'll be too dangerous for your teams, who can be hit easily - but a light contact with your foot to keep the ball in play.
In serious competition - you still need to dive for the ball on the serve, and it'll be legal for foot contact afterwards.
Social players tend to allow foot contact on the serve.
YouTube videos - recomendations
A picture is worth a thousand words - and to see a video is even better!
YouTube Volleyball list of videos
I use the iLivid program to save youtube videos to a hard drive - so as to keep the best youtube videos on the computer's hard drive.
Instead of having to revisit youtube - to see the same videos again and again.
4:22 --Volleyball Basics For Kids 11 year old Carissa teaches the basics of Volleyball
2:54 -- How to Play Volleyball : How to Pass or Bump a Volleyball
2:01 -- How to Play Volleyball : How to Set a Volleyball
2:03 -- How to Play Volleyball : How to Block a Volleyball
1:36 -- How to Play Volleyball : How to Spike a Volleyball
1:26 -- How to Play Volleyball : How to Set a Volleyball
1:17 -- How to Play Volleyball : How to Bump a Volleyball
1:03 -- How to Play Volleyball : How to Block a Volleyball
1:50 -- How to Play Volleyball : Learn Different Ways to Set a Volleyball
1:29 -- How to Play Volleyball : How to Serve a Volleyball
1:14 -- How to Play Volleyball : How to Float Serve in Volleyball
1:19 -- How to Play Volleyball : How to Dink a Volleyball
1:27 -- Play Better Volleyball Hitting
[This is an excellent series for the Intermediate players]
:51 -- Play Better Volleyball: Passing and Serving
:27 -- Play Better Volleyball Blocking and Defense
3:11 -- Mastering Men's Volleyball: Systems of Play
[Note: This series is for the more advanced]
3:47 -- How To Serve a Volleyball By: Tina Perry
2:40 -- Basics - Volleyball Jump Serve
Basics of the Sport
This document is not really about providing the basics of volleyball techniques
- although I do list the techniques here. There are plenty of books in the city library about learning the basic techniques
with step by step photographs.
These are the same techniques (as used in competition volleyball) that you would use in social volleyball.
The techniques used in beach volleyball are the same as in indoor volleyball. You will see the basics being used all the time on TV in
beach volleyball competitions or in Olympic or World competitions.
There is a lot of public exposure about volleyball these days, unlike decades ago, in which the public profile was very little.
These days you can watch Volleyball being played in a lot of beach volleyball, or at the Olympic level.
There is no difference between beach volleyball and regular volleyball - only that 2 players are present in beach volleyball,
as opposed to 6, in the one team for the regular volleyball. The same techniques are used.
What this means, is that you can videotape - ie. record any kind of volleyball off the TV, whether it be beach volleyball, or
Olympic volleyball - and examine the techniques used, which are described below - and use these same techniques in
social volleyball.
They are the exact same techniques in use.
The basic techniques
Volleyball is generally regarded as being made up of - dig, set and spike.
The Dig
The dig is a passing technique (you can use it to set the ball as well) to receive the serve and pass the ball to the setter
you simply allow the ball to bounce off your arms - your arms held at 45 degrees from your body. With your swing
(necessary when receiving a ball with little momentum {power} behind it - if the ball goes straight up, you are swinging
too late in contact with the ball, if the ball goes horizontal you are swinging too early - remember that at point of contact
your arms should be at 45 degrees so that you get the nice high pass or set.
The aim of the dig or pass is to pass the ball to someone (usually the setter - the person standing in the middle of the
front row at the net) in a high arc such that the ball lands straight down at the setters head. Low passes or wayward passes
are not recomended, whereby the setter has to chase the ball to set. If you pass the ball to the general area of the setter -
the setter should know that it's the setter's ball (and others should know that too - don't get in the way of the setter,
when the setter is going after the ball to set) and go towards the ball to set it.
Problems arise, when you react too slowly or too late. This is the usual case a lot of times - you need to react sooner
(intrepret the ball correctly) and react faster or else you fail to execute the technique properly. It's all to do with timing,
when you know how the technique works.
A split-second too late or too slow and it may appear the technique didn't work? With digging you're
redirecting the ball, so you point towards where you wish to send the ball - with your arms. Trying to do this while
receiving a fast serve (with spin) can be differcult.
With the dig - it is necessary to be 'ready' early, if you get ready too late, you can't dig correctly. If you're unsure whether
to use the dig or not - get ready to use it anyhow because it is only the high balls you can't dig. Most serves are received
with a dig, if it's too high - you can let it go because there's a good chance the ball will go out.
Another way of describing the 'dig' is to call it the 'bump'. That all you need to do is take on the pose as doing the dig,
with straight arms extended - the trick is not to bump the ball, but to let the ball bump into you - and this is how to
receive the serve or a spike - letting the ball bump into you, is how to absorb the energy from the serve/spike and to be
able to control the ball afterwards - which is simply having the right angle as to how your arms are arranged. You really
do no action at all upon contact - in slow motion you simply strike the right pose, and let the ball bump into you, then it
goes up into a perfectly executed pass towards your setter.
The Set
The set is a technique to 'set' up the ball to be spiked. For practicing this technique, you can catch the ball and then
release (push) the ball away.
Some players actually do this - catch the ball momentarily and then release it during the game, and it is legal.
This is the only legal held ball, allowed in volleyball.
A beginner is not usually aware, that to soften the impact of the volleyball on your fingers, you let the ball travel a little,
when you make contact with your fingers, like a catch - and then you push away with the movement of your arms to
where you are passing or setting to.
The technique is as follows:
You form an open triangle with both hands - your forefingers form the tip and your thumbs point towards each other -
Your fingers extend outwards and take the shape of the ball, so that you take the contact of the ball on all of your fingers.
You spread the contact with the ball on all of your fingers, ie. the impact of the ball is absorbed on all the fingers -
normally this will work alright.
You set the ball, usually to your left or right - and you should know if the spiker is right or left-handed so that you set
appropriately for that spiker. If you're unsure, setting it absolute center should suffice in the meantime. It is best if you do
a high set (called a "10") instead of a low set (called a "1" set) but a medium height set is alright (called a "5") for most
people. With a high set there's plenty of time for the spiker to do the run and jump, and it's pretty obvious where
the ball is going.
While it is normal to use the 'set' technique to set the ball, there is nothing wrong with using the 'dig' technique to set
the ball, as long as the ball ends up where it is suppose to go, that is fine.
The Spike
Spiking the ball takes some practice to get right, for the beginner, because timing and coordination is essential. Generally it is a run, jump
and spike. The run is necessary because the set may not be exactly in the correct place, so the spiker should run towards where the ball
actually is. The jump is helpful because the higher you can hit/spike the ball the better angle you can apply. With a normal high net, the jump
is essential to spike easily over the net and over any blockers. If you're not comfortable with the jump, just spike the ball as high as possible
while standing - if your spiking technique is good, you will do alright.
There are different ways of spiking - a general way is as follows: Your spiking action consists of three movements, when they are all working
together you will get the power. Use an open hand and not a closed fist - using an open hand in which you contact with your open palm area
and fingers gives you a large contact area with the ball. The action consists of the shoulder, elbow and wrist action all working together.
Don't use a lot shoulder movement because this will cause shoulder problems later on. The elbow action is to use a bent elbow and then
straighten it. The last action is the wrist movement which curls over as a wrist flick. This last movement is very essential that adds spin to
your spike. To get the power you need to do all three movements very quickly, - working together with little shoulder movement.
This is not something you should do straight away, with no warm up.
When spiking, do it slowly and casually as a warm up, and then do the normal quick action that is the spike, after you have warmed up
enough.
For practice you can do a spike serve, in which you hold up the ball and then spike serve it, aiming for the top of the net. If the ball hits
the top of the net and goes over, your spike is just right. If it doesn't go over - add that extra wrist action to see if it does next time.
You don't need to throw the ball up - you can, if you wish to.
Blocking
You can block at the net, by jumping up and raising both hands acting like a wall to stop a spike or the ball going over the net.
You should keep your forearms straight too - because there are some lousy spikers who spike at the net, otherwise you may get
hit in the face by a ball through the net.
A block is regarded as not being a 'hit' so that you can pass the ball after having blocked it - or set it. (Same if your spike has been
blocked - if the ball comes down on your side, you can carry on, with passing the ball or setting it.) A block is when you hold up your
hands in the block position, at the net.
Blocking and spiking is all about timing, and not so much to do with who is the stronger/powerful person.
General tips for playing Volleyball
It is important to do the 3 hits, ie. the 3rd hit goes over the net because volleyball is a team sport - it builds up team comraderie
to set each other up for a spike and then go do it. If your team does only 1 or 2 hits, this becomes the norm and no one bothers
to set up spikes - this is hardly volleyball.
Volleyball is more enjoyable when you have more hits and when a team functions as a team. Even when chasing a wayward ball,
which happens often, set it if you're the second hit, rather than trying to get a second hit over the net. A good setter can set with the
worst pass that is given.
Don't poach the ball off another player - even if that player is a raw beginner. Soon that player will never try to play a nearby ball, if the
ball is continually poached. {Poaching is when someone steps in and plays the ball in front of another person, and poaches the ball,
that should have been played by the other player. Even if you call out and play the ball - this is still considered poaching, when it is in
the other player's area of cover, and the ball goes directly to that person.}
{There is such a thing as covering each other - poaching is stealing the ball from another player, covering is assisting the other player
in a helpful manner.} Poachers never encourage good teamwork - there are no star players in a team, players quickly drop out when there
is a star poacher present.
Covering each other is good, but poaching is not acceptable.
A usual system to avoid poaching is calling. You call out if the ball is inbetween players - calling out "Mine" or "I've got it"/etc.
If the call is bad - the person who called for the ball usually have to ensure that he or she still plays the ball.
You can out call someone by calling out afterwards "Mine!" and then that person should play the ball. The last person who
called out for the ball, has priority to receive the ball.
You can get use to the ESP system, whereby calling is not normally used, and it's the first person to the ball when it lands
inbetween players - you can get use to bumping into each other and still play the ball alright - but calling does help!
Practice tips
The easiest way to practice - is if you have the early game, turn up a few minutes early to practice - just make sure the person
with the ball is there first. Otherwise the only other way is to do some practice outside somewhere, over the weekend, etc with a
practice ball. Practice is essential, especially for beginners - so that they are aware of the basic techniques, and how they work.
The basic volleyball techniques - dig, set and spike do work and are the best techniques to use. You can add a few original moves
of your own - everyone has their own 'specials' they can do. The only difference between a novice and a good player, is that the
good player has had lots more practice.
Tips for practice (solo)
Setting practice can be done by yourself, just set straight up to yourself, or set against a wall. If you wish to practice the new
legal foot contact, practice tossing a ball against a wall and then gently kicking the ball up. It is a very soft kick you use -
and not a hard kick. Spiking against a wall is good - just toss the ball up and have a spike - this takes some coordination,
but with practice you can do this, and gain some coordination skills. It is better to spike at the ground just before a wall so that
the angle of your spike is correct, and easier to retreive the ball afterwards.
Tips for practice (2 or more)
In the time before a game starts, it is usual for a team to hit the ball amongst themselves, as a warm up. Why not have a go
at spiking the ball? You can practice the techniques you're not good at, in the warm up. Remember to warm up, ie. start slow and
don't do anything fast and quick as your first action or actions. You can pull or strain a muscle if you suddenly do very quick and
fast movements without warming up slowly. It is good to dig, set and spike amongst yourselves as a good warmup.
It is easy to spike without a net, and instil some confidence in spiking. If the other team has not arrived yet - you can do some
setting/spiking practice using the net. Have the setter standing at the net, and toss the ball high as an easy pass to the setter,
then let everyone have a go at spiking. ie. running towards the set and spike the set. This is a good usual warmup, if the other side
of the court is free.
Other techniques
This is the miscellaneous section of any other technique. Any technique is possible, as long as it is not a 'carry' technique,
legally the only carry is the set technique which can allow you prolonged contact with the ball. Shopping trolley (cupped hands)
techniques are frowned upon.
A good technique for playing the ball off the net, or close to the ground is to use a closed fist, as in the underarm serve.
When receiving a serve and you can't get into the proper position to use a dig, you can try using one arm extended outwards,
kinda like a one-armed dig - the arm is pointing outwards instead of inwards. Instead of letting the ball go by and land in-court,
you choose to intercept it - hopefully it will bounce off and go up into the air, like a pass. Sometimes it's worthwhile to do this,
although the ball may go wildly out of control because it's better than the alternative - having no contact with the ball at all.
It's better to do something with the ball than nothing, when it lands in-court because next time it may work out and go
where it is suppose to go. You can head the ball as in soccer, this is legal. It is now legal to use the foot - but it should be
a soft kick and not a hard kick as in soccer. I've seen too many people hit by a kicked ball which can easily go towards
someone's face.
The Rules
The rules are there for a reason - they help keep Volleyball a safe and non-contact sport. The most common rules that are broken
by social players are:
Attacking the serve - either blocking it or spiking it. This is a no-no, not allowable under any circumstances.
Reaching
When the ball is on one side of the court (is not directly above the net) more than the other, you cannot reach over onto the other side
and spike or block the ball - you can only spike or block, if the ball is directly over the top of the net or on your side of the net.
A blocker cannot reach over (the net line) and block the other side when it is passing or setting on their first or second hit. ie. on their side.
The blocker can reach over, when the ball is directly above the net whereby the block starts directly above the net - and then pushes the ball
over - but still the blocker cannot interfere with a first and second hit ball (when it is clearly on their side of the net), if that ball is being passed or set.
Feet
There are problems when players allow their feet to cross over to the other side. This is highly frowned upon because this can
easily cause severe ankle injuries. Ensure that you stay on your side of the net, when spiking or blocking.
Net Touches
While net touching is not strictly enforced in social volleyball, in competition volleyball - it is simply not allowed.
You cannot touch the net during or as part of your spike or block - ie. as part of your completion of your spike or
block movement. You will lose the point for instance, in the Masters Games.
The Volleyball
I would highly recommend the Mikasa Training Series VUL500 volleyball, it is plain white and is especially for
players aged 12 and under.
Tachikara do have an equivalent volleyball like this, but I don't know the Name/Particulars for it. I know they have one
exactly like it. The Mikasa VUL500 is around NZ$85. It is a very lightweight volleyball, and can be very soft,
if you have it at the right air pressure. Unfortunately I cannot find a supplier in NZ for this particular volleyball anymore.
However there is the Mikasa MVA123SL superlight volleyball which is an equivalent - available through Fanatical Sports -
see details below. This is lightweight and soft (at a correct air pressure) - and is excellent for first time volleyball players and
teams.
For social games this is the perfect volleyball to use, for fun and safety.
However this is not suitable for competition, as it is much more lightweight compared to a standard volleyball.
For competition I would recomend the Super Soft Tachikara volleyball, with the right air pressure to ensure it is soft -
because any volleyball with too much air pressure, will end up being a hard volleyball.
An excellent competition volleyball is the Mikasa MVA200 available through Fanatical Sports in the US - through the website ebay.co.uk.
It is reasonably priced and Fanatical Sports do charge a reasonable rate for overseas delivery (unlike other suppliers/retailers who charge very highly).
It has a semi-glossy smooth dimpled surface and looks to be the volleyball used in the 2012 Olympics?
Also another competition volleyball is Mikasa's MVA330 - it is of the same spiral design as the MVA200 but is less brightly coloured and is more of the regular normal volleyball surface you would be use to. The MVA series overall use the same spiral design in how the pieces of the volleyball outer skin is glued together.
Hard or Soft Volleyballs
I do think that it is largely due to how much air you have inside the volleyball that determines whether it will be a
hard or soft volleyball to play with.
I thoroughly recomend a soft volleyball, as it is much more fun to play with, and enables you to do lots more 'saves' with it.
There are also less injuries with a soft volleyball - to your fingers, ie. to your finger joints. You can easily develop injuries
to all your fingers with using a hard volleyball. All it takes is to misjudge the contact with the volleyball - which can happen
easily, at any time - due to how fast the volleyball can travel at times.
How to judge how much air pressure is just 'right'!
When you press into the volleyball with your thumbs, the ball should give in, a little. The volleyball is hard when there is great resistance (no give) to your thumbs pressing in. I would recomend a 2-3 mm of variation. 3mm being very soft, and 2mm being soft. Approximately. You will thank me, when you made contact inappropriately with the volleyball, and you don't get a serious finger injury from the contact.
When you are only playing Volleyball - only once a week, it is silly to get injured while playing. Playing with a hard volleyball - you are more likely to get injured playing with it, as opposed to using a soft volleyball. When playing volleyball - you want to avoid injuries altogether - or lessen the possibility of injury. It seems very difficult to people who are use to playing with a rock hard volleyball to believe that a soft volleyball is not 'flat' at all and that a volleyball should take the impact - and not your body. They don't see to believe that a volleyball should bounce - and that a hard volleyball is more difficult to play with. A soft bouncy volleyball is more fun to play with and you can do more 'saves' with it.
Basically when the volleyball is soft - it then functions like an airbag, whereby 'it' takes the impact, and not your fingers or bones. When you play with a hard volleyball, and then a soft volleyball, you can feel the difference right away.
You can also note - that with a soft volleyball, that the volleyball will bounce off you - with a hard volleyball there is no bounce at all - but an 'ouch!' And a lot more energy is required to play with a hard volleyball too.
When you pay $85 or more for a high quality volleyball, you should play it like it should be played, instead of having it perform
like a cheap $20 soccer ball for example. And nor should it be treated like a soccer ball, too. Hard soccer kicks should not be
used on a standard expensive volleyball, the segments of a volleyball are only held together by glue, which with regular use,
and aging - the glue does come apart, and the volleyball eventually develops splits leading to it's inevitable demise to become
non-functioning. When you have purchased many volleyballs like I have - you will know how the volleyball ages through use
and mis-use.
I cannot overemphasize the safety aspect of playing with a soft volleyball. I recently injured my small finger -
it took some months to heal, and is still healing slowly.
All of that pain could have been eliminated entirely, if a soft volleyball was in use - and it is as simple as that.
With sport - you cannot guarantee that you will receive the ball appropriately, that accidents do happen - but you can
minimise the possible injury ---- beforehand, by using a soft volleyball.
The Hard/Soft Volleyball debate
Volleyball players who play with a hard volleyball all the time - will say that a soft volleyball is flat, upon touching it.
This is not the case. Wait till someone gets a serious finger injury from using a hard volleyball - who will verify the
dangers of playing with a hard volleyball. Once you have a serious finger injury - you do not want to get another
injury (most players still want to keep on playing volleyball, even with an injury - wouldn't you?) which will put your
joint out altogether with unbearable pain. And you really don't want to end up with mangled fingers after many years
of playing volleyball, do you? A soft volleyball of course, plays differently, to a hard volleyball, but it's a difference
you can get use to, just as those who have used only hard volleyballs got use to their volleyball. The differences are
neglible when fun and safety are the main priorities - yes - it's way more fun playing with a soft volleyball, you can easily
add spin to the ball, even adding super extra-spin when the volleyball is light and soft. It makes for some hilarious
moments, and you will find you can do some incredible saves with it.
A good normal volleyball to use, is the synthetic leather Super Soft Tachikara retailing at around NZ$85.
There is a Mikasa volleyball selling for the same price, but it has a hard rubber centre which is hard on the arms.
There is not an adequate way to try out a volleyball in the store, only on a volleyball court - but you can try
bouncing it off your arm and feel if it hurts or bounce softly off. You should be able to return the ball if you haven't
used it much at all and are dissatisfied with the quality of it - and get an exchange for it.
When you pay $85+ for a volleyball - it is designed for indoor use only and should never be used outside
(unless it is on grass only) on any other surface.
Don't bounce it on asphalt, pavement, etc. The skin will quickly deteriorate and will quickly turn from soft to hard.
Never use it on the beach because salt damages it quickly.
You can purchase practice volleyballs for around $25 which is called a rubber ball that starts off hard and softens up.
There is a Tachikara type, and Unipol sells one as well. These practice balls can be used anywhere and on any surface
- even such surfaces as brick or concrete walls for practice against.
Looking after an expensive volleyball
Always clean it when it gets dirty, with a little soap and water. Don't use it outside the gym.
Never bounce it on ashpalt, pavement, etc. Don't have it pumped up with too much air -
a soft ball will behave like a hard ball, with too much air.
I would like add that when you have too much air in any volleyball, ie. it is a very hard volleyball -
because of the air pressure inside - if there is any weakness with the structural integrity of the volleyball
(ie. a volleyball skin is made up of segments that are sewn/glued together, that cover the bladder, and
any weakness in the joins, either due to poor quality contruction or worn through usage -
the tremendous air pressure will force the bladder through any weak/open area.
Basically the bladder will pop. Meaning --- that a volleyball with less air pressure, ie. a soft volleyball ---
would be usuable for very many years afterwards. Something to think about - because when paying $85 just the
one volleyball, you would like it to last for as many years as possible?
Wouldn't you?
I know that a retailer would give a one year assurance of a new volleyball lasting out a year, but after that
period you'll have to replace a faulty volleyball yourself.
I do know what I am talking about, as regards volleyball and volleyballs, having played approximately anywhere
from 4 hours to 6 hours weekly for over 10 years.
I have experienced all manner of injuries in the process too.
Injuries
The most common injury I have seen happen in volleyball is the ankle twist - and this is easily preventable and
avoidable if you wear the correct shoes - basketball style boots which protect your ankles or anything else that does, eg. Canvas shoes..
Don't wear low-cut sports shoes - they offer no protection whatsoever. I have experienced twisted ankles
and know that basketball boots offer you the best protection, and when you experience an injury (ouch!) your injury
is minimised. Such that you're still able to carry on, if you wish to. The most common ankle injury is at the net,
at a spike/block encounter in which you jump and land on someone's foot - you end up landing on your ankle and
straining it. The other event is when someone approaches the set at the net far too late and gets off balanced
and slips over.
I think people who don't exercise much are prone to injury when they're not use to judging their own movement and action.
This tends to happen early in the game, than later on. Even experienced / fit people can suffer ankle injuries - it can happen
to anyone.
Treatment
This is the recomended treatment - if you suffer a serious ankle injury. Firstly there is nothing to ease the pain with.
Remember what it is like when you have to bear the pain at the dentist or in any other situation. Just acknowledge
that you feel the pain (say Ouch! or whatever) and don't think about it. Do not take off your shoe (that will not take
the pain away) unless you have something cold on hand (ice, frozen vegies or a cold drink can) to apply to the bruise,
this will keep the swelling down. Or else the bruise will mushroom in size and you will not be able to put your shoe
back on.
Think of I C E as the way to treat ankle injuries
Ice to apply to the bruise to keep the swelling down.
Compression - apply a compression bandage, this is the very long muslim bandage that costs around
$5, that you wind around the injured ankle - stretch it tight but not super tight, and apply tape to keep it in
place. This will allow you to walk alright and take strain off the ankle enabling you to walk unaided.
Keep this on and your ankle will recover quickly and painlessly.
Elevation - this is suppose to help you, immediately after you injured your ankle, lie down with your leg/ankle raised.
Keep it like this for a while and rest.
If you don't look after your ankle injury properly - you will probably experience needless pain and suffering for a
month, but if you do the above, it will only be a minor inconvenience - but all this is preventable if you wear basketball
boots or any boots with ankle support.
I've experienced about 5 ankle injuries and even both ankles at the same time - now that was truly weird, and carry
on with that injury and still function. ie. By wearing shoes/boots with ankle protection/cover --- I experienced a very
brief sensation of pain, enough for you to say "Ouch!" [saying it, does help a great deal] - to acknowledge the pain -
and I was still able to walk around almost immediately afterwards. I didn't need to do any kind of treatment afterwards -
because I kept on playing, although rather gingerly - as you do not wish to have another exact same accident so soon
afterwards.
The other common injury is injury to the fingers.
This happens when you receive the ball using the set technique with a fast ball (serve or spike), catching the ball
on one finger or a few fingers instead of taking the contact on all of your fingers. You can't set the ball using an
injured finger - with an injured finger it's best if you don't use the set technique at all, but use the dig instead.
You can use a different technique instead of the set technique, when receiving a fast ball. I don't know if there's
a name to this technique, in which you use both hands - make a fist with one hand, and cover the other hand over
the fist, and use the bottom leading ledge of both hands as a flat base - you aim both elbows up at about
45 degrees, and let the ball bounce off both hands (ie. off the flat base you're created.)
(the leading edge is that part of the karate chop that makes contact with a person, or when you bang your hand on
a table, that soft part thereof.) This works fine with any fast high ball, or just practice it with any high ball that comes
your way. You can use this as a passing/ setting technique, or just use it to hit the ball across the net (add some
forward motion) like a cannon shot technique.
Glasses
For those people wearing glasses, they should be sure that their glasses are made of plastic lenses -
you should not be wearing glass glasses in sport, they shatter all too easily and end up with glass splinters on the floor
which are hard to clean away, with nothing to clear it away with. It is too dangerous. It is essential to be wearing a sports
band, which goes around to the back of the head, they cost only about $5 at most optometrists. They keep your glasses on,
should you be hit in the head with a ball. Spikers should be aware that they should not be aiming for peoples' heads - only a
daft, silly spiker does that.
If you add spin to your spikes, this does not happen - probably.
Physics
Yes, what happens in volleyball is very much the laws of physics in action. eg. You have to be careful of
adding extra momentum to the ball, when you don't want to - or else the ball rockets off going out of court.
The situation is - you're going forward to retrieve/contact the ball - you're having to zoom in quickly to
catch it in time - but how do you avoid adding your own quick motion to the ball? Simply, you slow down as
you're making contact with it - and hopefully you will see you can control the ball and do what you wanted to
do in the first place - probably just send it over the net because it's too awkward to pass the ball. In a spike/block
net encounter - physics is very much in play. When a spike/block is done at exactly the same time - there is a dead ball
- the actions will cancel each other out and the ball will fall to the ground - you'll only see this - if the action(s) is done
at the same time. In a spike/block net encounter it is interesting to note, that there is an advantage to doing your action
(either spike or block) a fraction later than the other person in which the last person/action is the one able to win the
confrontation. ie. end up with the ball on the other side. In such a situation, remember to expect the block/spike and
for the other person to really push the ball - it then becomes the sticky fingers time, to see who touches the net and
whose side the ball favours? Whoever loses - ends up having to hit the ball back up - which is legal, and perhaps setting
up this encounter/situation all over again.
Note: A woman can block a powerful spiker - with exact timing. It is good to see this happen - showing it's never a case of
power being everything, but timing.
Spin
Spin may not be regarded as a major component of volleyball, as in Table Tennis or Tennis - but it's something
to be aware of, because it can introduce some very funny results to the game. Adding spin to your spike is good
because you can see that the ball can be hit into the net, see it climb the net and go over, scoring the point as it
lands inside the lines. Adding the wrist action does this. Also if the spike is blocked it's nice to see the ball spinning
after the block hopefully towards open space. It doesn't matter if the block is there - a good spin on the ball ensures
it will get over anything.
Anytime you hit the ball with a long arc, like doing the backwards dig over your head, you can add terrific spin to the
ball, that it looks like it's going high and out, but lands in.
Serves
The easiest serve for a beginner is the underarm serve where you hit the ball with a closed fist - just swing your
arm hitting the ball with fingers/palm closed. The spike serve is good to do, to practise the spiking technique.
It's not exactly like the spike because you're hitting the ball further than a spike would normally travel.
An unusual serve to do is to use your back and whole body with a catapult like technique swinging your whole
arm over your head like as in an exercise. The Chinese girls tend to use this, seen in Olympic competition -
or a variation of it. Because you're hitting the ball with a long arc - you can get terrific spin serving this way.
Good contact with a cupped hand ensures this. This is a good serve to do as many times as you like to,
because it's using your body weight, and the more relaxed you are, the more spin you can add to the ball motion.
Remember that hitting the ball with an arc motion will add spin to the ball, which will ensure it will go over the net,
when you hit the top of the net, and the ball will land in court, instead of going out.
Confidence
Beginners usually lack confidence because they are new to what they are doing, which is perfectly natural.
They just need to remember, that once they have done something correctly, they should try to have a snapshot
in their mind of how they did it, and say 'Oh, I can do that, because I have just done it!'. Try to recapture the feeling
of doing it, and then congradulate yourself that you have just done it - with a 'I can do it!' attitude.
And to remember what they did right - they can do time and time again. Everyone has certain abilities, which
they can do time and time again - because somehow they can do that action.
Whether it's doing a save with the foot, or able to play the volleyball as it is dropping against the net, or doing a
perfect set behind you - or any kind of action/movement that has surprised you at first, which happens a
second time, and any number of times after that.
Team play
Volleyball is a team sport - this is where it excells.
I don't like the idea of a team made up of star players - the team spirit is more important than letting the
star player(s) dominate the team. I think that a team of bad players who have the team spirit can beat a
team of good players who can't play as a team. As long as the teamwork is working - you can do better
than a team in which the teamwork is not working, even if the players are better than you are.
A spike cannot be done without a set - and for good sets, you need to keep on setting. And no one is going to be
good spiker unless they get the sets so that they can practice their spiking. It is when a person doesn't even try
spiking - then I can see the reason not to set for that player.
Teams can have their own system in place for who is the setter, and how to cover the court for each other, etc -
but it is useful to know the usual methods that most teams adopt, so that when you play in another team,
you know the usual methods that team follows.
Some players may frequently play the one hit, like tennis - but that isn't volleyball. When you ignore or forget about
your team all the time, it's hardly good volleyball you're playing. And when the team does two hits as it's method
of play - this introduces some bad habits, like not setting each other up for spikes, and needless points lost because
of not doing a set - the ball is just hit over the net or try to - whereas setting the ball, makes it easy for someone
else to spike or do the third hit with more surety. I find it sad to see someone chase the ball and then hit it into the
net or out, whereas it could have been set or passed for a third hit. Redirection of the ball is hard or impossible in
a chase situation, but passing or setting is possible and easier to do.
Strategies
Strategies are pretty obvious, most of the time. Against a formidable team spike towards their weak players.
Serve towards their weak receivers. Spike into open areas (even the best players have no defense to this -
if you directly spike towards these target areas).
Fair play strategies
This is where you don't take advantage of the other team, but play to their strengths (better players).
Serve to their best players and see if your serve is any good? Spike to their better players to see if you are
a better spiker? If you find the opposition boring, then this will liven things up for you.
To avoid a boring game you can have some fun by : Do unusual sets - like practicing the "1" short set -
which requires the spiker to be very fast, rushing towards the net and spiking a set that is set just a little above the
net. Setting horizontally - fast - requiring the spiker to be on the ball to spike it. Setting towards the player left,
when they're right handed. Setting towards the backrow for a backcourt spike. Doing wild and wacky passes
and sets.
Recommendations
This is a last tips section - for those wanting to improve their skills. It is very difficult to improve your standard of
volleyball if you only play the one game per week. First off, you need the basic skills working - it will only take
someone to show you the basics in an hour (if you do not know what these are?) or less, and probably at least
2 hours to go over them in detail. I estimate that if you do some practice over a month, eg. practiced the basics
over the weekend or whenever you can - you will be able to master the basics. {You need only spike against a
wall with a practice rubber volleyball in a carpark area - to get some confidence in your spiking).
With digging you do need someone to catch or pass the ball back. With setting you can set against a wall or to
yourself (set vertically straight up).
The basic techniques are invaluable - use them.
If you find that volleyball is your sport - you enjoy it immensely, you will find that playing on another evening will
help you a great deal to improve yourself with. You can learn to relax while playing - and if you can play in a
good team, you'll find that a whole bit better.
You choose to play at the level/standard that you wish to. If you wish to improve - that is up to you.
Playing against a better team does help - often players will play up to a better standard when faced with a
good opposition.
Though you need good teamwork to hold your own or beat them.
The same situations happen again and again in volleyball. If you can do something once - like a good dig, set
and spike - you can do it again. When you do something right, tell yourself - you can do it again, and you can.
Sometimes you just do something - and it works - and this keeps on happening when you do it again - you have
your own technique that works! Sometimes you do things - that works, you don't know how or why, just that it
works. You do it, and it works. Everyone has that hidden talent - that keeps on happening, more times
than we care to admit. When you play enough volleyball - you see this happening often.
In Social Volleyball, almost anything goes --- I don't suggest you become predictable and adhere to the 3 hits all
of the time --- it helps to be unpredictable at times and take everyone by surprise. That is what is different about
volleyball --- you can be surprised by what happens. eg. A guy did this excellent spike and the ball landed in front
of me - but I just manage to put my foot in front of the ball, and the ball travelled upwards and over the net
landing behind the spiker. Everyone was surprised by what happened, including me.
And when you think you know it all? Try this ---
If you are right handed, try left handed spikes and serves? Vice versa if you're left handed.
You can do it, all it takes is practice, practice, practice! Never give up and always keep trying --- you will then see
how good you can really get to be. The reason for doing the above, is that sometimes you are in the wrong position,
and have to use your other hand to do something with the ball, so why not use your other hand and spike it! It can
be done.
The Spirituality Aspect of Volleyball
Yes, it is present all the time during volleyball, in that you can connect within yourself, with your spirit, during playing.
Whereby you use any legal means possible to make contact with the volleyball, and use whatever technique
that is appropriate for that situation.
Like for instance, you may not favour or do 'tipping' as a matter of course, but sometimes you just do it -
unexplainably. It is hard to say why you do things at times - you just do it.
This is very much like that same aspect in martial arts. You may practice the same action many times over,
and when it comes to doing it, you don't think about it anymore, you simply do it.
About the Author
This document is written by Harvey A. Kong Tin, who has played social volleyball for twenty? years - sometimes
playing up to 7 hours each week in the old days... (though rarely).
I'm not a competition player, neither do I rank myself as an excellent player - but I'm observant to see the same
things happening again and again.
I don't come from a coaching background - I'm just a keen social volleyball player who would like to see social teams
playing better. There are very keen social players who have played for years and years - I just feel that if players
use the standard basic volleyball techniques - their game(s) will improve considerably and they'll enjoy the game even
more.
Social teams have a tendency to disintegrate after a while - for whatever reason but I would guess a common factor
may be how they are not playing as a team.
Dunedin, NEW ZEALAND
I have posted some clips of volleyball being played in Dunedin, New Zealand on Youtube.
Simply search for social volleyball dunedin - and they should then appear...
These are games played at Otago Boys High School gym - where it is easy to set up a camera in a high position - games usually vary from being between social and competitive at times.
Social Volleyball has been going strong for many years here in Dunedin, all thanks to the organiser - Bill Turnbull. Now taken over by Jock Murley.
Anyone wishing to play a local game - are welcomed.
Games are played on Mondays only now - all year, with a big break over our summer holiday period, which is from
early December through to late January.
Social games are played for one hour, usually from 7pm or 8pm depending on the draw.
The social draw is sent out email usually late on Wednesday evenings for the next week.
You can join the email list for this by sending an email to:
"Jock Murley" <mu@otagogirls.school.nz>
Any team wanting to join - can email Jock for details on how to join.
The cost factor is: For a team it costs $125 for 20 weeks - so if you have 5 players, it'll then be $25 each.
There is a door fee of $2 to pay each week. Teams are rejoining all the time, when their team fee is due...
If you're a single player wanting to join a team --- then just turn up at one of the gyms - either Otago Boys High
or St Hilda's Collegiate - and ask one of those teams, who are short of players - if they do want a new player?
Most such teams would be glad of a new player - especially if you show ability in playing...
I did try continuing the Wednesday evening volleyball - first with going down to Unipol, where we all were at for
several years, before having to move onto the Edgar Centre. We were there for about 2 1/2 years before it
finally fizzed out altogether. This was around 2005 to 2007?
Anyone could start up such an open volleyball group again - down at the Edgar Centre - and they'll be keen
to provide support for it - because there should be a lot more volleyball being played in Dunedin.
Note - that I am as keen with playing Table Tennis, which I have got back into, for the past 7 years. If you wish to
get involved with playing Volleyball or Table Tennis, feel free to get in contact with me, and I'll fill you in - on how to
play those sports here in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Over the December through to January - I do try to arrange to have some dates and times available, to play Volleyball
at the Edgar Centre (usually - or at Unipol? [Odd years only] ), over the Summer Holiday Period. Either 4 or 5 weeks - ie. Monday evenings... This is when the Social Volleyball draw is not on. There are those keen players who wish not to have an annual break at all...
My email address is kiwilove2006@yahoo.com