#vbaddiction

Developing consistency

We can all serve a tough ball every once in a while, and hit that perfect corner shot sometimes, but don't you want this every time? How do we develop that consistency to be able to touch a ball over and over again the same exact way? Sure, practicing makes us better skilled for competition, but when we face a comparable team, consistency will earn us that win. 

Keep six lists: Serving, Passing, Setting, Hitting, Blocking, Digging.

In bullet form, outline every step you take to perform each skill. Include what you do physically and mentally. Focus on the things that are in your control: footwork, eyework, and communication. As you grow your skill sets, keep track of the advice you pick up. Your coach will teach you something that will strongly resound and make you better. Add these new ideas into your lists and try to place them in the correct order in which you would perform them. By doing this, you will build a routine list that you can also review off the court.

This list is your game plan. When you compete, ALWAYS follow your routine. The footwork and eyework may be the most obvious parts of your routine. But if you have "call seams" on your passing list, then call your seams before EVERY serve. If you have "take a big breath" on your serving list then take a big breath before EVERY serve. It might seem small, but these little things add up.

Focus on your routine between every rally. Volleyball may be a fast-paced game during the rally, but you have plenty of time between rallies to focus on your lists. If you made an error, quickly identify which bullet point you missed and do it next time. Focus more on what you can improve and focus less on what went wrong. It's better to be too ready than not ready. It's better to over-communicate than not communicate.

Stay positive, work hard, and have fun.

Serving Tough

Tips for serving aces

In soccer, they have free kicks. In basketball, they have free throws. In volleyball, we have serves. What do they all have in common? These are opportunities to score a point without a defender standing in your way. It's just you, the ball, and the court. Before you even have to outplay your opponents, take away their first opportunity for offense by serving a tough ball. There are many strategies for serving tough.

Develop a hard & speedy float serve:

This serve should have lots of velocity and no spin, making it hard to pass.

Toss, step, hit. Make sure to contact the ball with a flat hand and stiff wrist.

Contact the ball at the moment your arm reaches its highest point and follow through with your feet and arms aiming towards your target

Serve hard and deep, aiming for the deep corners.

If balls are soaring out, do not dial down the power, but take a step back. Corner to corner serves will give you the most distance to work with.

Develop a consistent, mindful, float serve:

This serve should be smart and limiting the opponents attack.

Serve towards clusters of players

Serve into setters' or middle hitters' paths to make them take a different route

Serve to your wing attackers and make them move towards the inside of the court to pass the ball and limit their approach pattern.

Develop an attack jump serve:

This serve should have lots of velocity and lots of top spin, making it very hard to pass.

Toss the ball high. Flick your wrists as you release the ball to put top spin on the ball.

Take an approach and hit the ball high and in front of you.

Make sure to follow through with a long arm.

Aim for deep corners.

Running a 6-on-6 offense

Strategies for maximizing your team's offensive game

Setters: Get Square

Setters need to be able to set all hitting positions on the court while also being able to slow down the defense on the other side of the net. Setters should face the left antenna every time they set the ball. This is called "getting square" to the antenna.

Have an outlet hitter

Make sure your team knows who their go-to hitters are and feed them. The outside hitters are usually the easiest players to feed. Make your best hitter an outside hitter so that they receive the most sets and make the most offensive attempts.

Know when to hit hard and when to keep it in

Games are not won by which team hits the hardest. Games are won by consistency. Cleaning up errors is the most important thing your team can do to give up less points to the other team. When the passes and sets are good, take a rip on the ball. When the team is scrambling to keep the ball up on the first and second touches, make a smart shot on the third touch.

Know where to place your shots

Take a look at your opponent's base positions and defensive positions. Watch for their individual tendencies. Once you have found a team's weak spots, exploit them. Decide with your team where to place the ball during a scramble play. We are not looking for a termination kill, but we want the opponent to work harder for their offense and increase their chance for errors.

How to Build a Sand Volleyball Court A step-by-step guide to constructing your own beach court.

Summer is the perfect time for building volleyball courts.Whether you are building a court for simple recreation or for professional competition, Volleyball Mecca can help you create a playing environment that is guaranteed to last you endless summers.

The following guide will help you plan out your project from start to finish.

Excavating

Use a front-end loader to excavate to your desired depth. Usually 2'-3' depending on how thick of layers of sand and gravel you intend to use. Be sure and "pitch" the excavated area to a corner or low point where you desire excess water to travel. A drainage ditch should be dug allowing water to flow out from the court area. 

Pole Installation

Ideally, poles should have a length of 12 feet, which allows for 3' underground and 9' above ground. Leaving 9' of pole above ground allows the ability to set up your net at official height and the comfort to adjust your net height if your playing surface level changes over time. If you plan on using wood standards ensure that they are pressure treated and no smaller than 6"X 6." Holes for 12' poles should be dug to a 3' depth under the desired level of the playing surface. Sink poles at least 2' in concrete to ensure stability. Poles should be placed 36' apart to allow for a standard volleyball net length of 32' and some buffer space between players and the poles. 

Drainage Pipe 

Position perforated drainage pipe in a zigzag pattern across your court being sure to have the open end at the low point of the court to allow water to flow and escape. Remember to wrap pipe with landscape fabric to keep materials from clogging up the perforations and prohibiting the flow of water. Perimeter 

Putting in an outer perimeter around your total sand area will prove to be beneficial as it prevents dirt and plants from migrating on to your sand and keeps your sand contained as well. Railroad ties or similar materials work well. Another option is to construct a "burm" or hump along the perimeter with excavated ground materials.  Fill

Cover drainage pipe and court area with approximately 1' of drainage small drainage gravel. Cover gravel layer with landscape fabric to keep gravel from mixing with sand yet allowing water to pass through to your drainage system. Fill over your gravel with at least 1' of sand and your court is  complete!  Enjoy 

Install your high quality net and boundaries (that of course were purchased from Volleyball Mecca) and you're ready to enjoy your volleyball court for endless summers!  

Playing against taller and bigger teams can be intimidating. They can reach higher and hit harder. But every powerhouse team has their weaknesses and can be defeated. Here are some things to focus on that will help you beat your tall opponents at the net.

Develop a consistent, mindful, great serve. Before you even have to go up and outplay a bigger team, take away their first opportunity for offense. It does not have to be a hard overpowering serve, but one that is smart and limits the opponent's serve receive attack.

Serve towards clusters of players.

Serve into the setters' or middle hitters' paths and make them take a different route.

Serve to your wing attackers and make them move towards the inside of the court to pass the ball. This will limit their approach pattern

INJURY PREVENTION

Every year a number of players are sidelined or hampered for the season by injuries, many which can be avoided by following a simple warm-up program. By implementing and adhering to a warm-up program, players can avoid many injuries, which may otherwise cost them valuable time on the court.