How Volleyball Is Played

 

Compared to other team sports, volleyball may involve less physical contact but it is still a challenging sport for the reason that the game entails constant motion. Being purely a rebound sport, no player can hold the ball but can only pass, set, hit, spike or block the ball.
The court
Volleyball is played by two teams on a court which is divided crosswise by a net. The offensive goal of each team is to send the ball - without holding the ball -- in such a way that it lands on the ground of the opposing team.
The players
Each team consists of 6 players who must rotate in a clockwise position every time the team wins back service time. Three players are at the net positions and the other three are at the back. Only the players at the net can block or spike near the net. Those at the back court can also block or spike provided that they jump from behind the three-meter-line, also known as the attack line.
The starting line-up usually includes such specialists as the setter, two center-line backers, two receiver-hitters and what is known as a universal spiker. In 1998, the International Federation of Volleyball introduced a new specialist player position called the libero who is the only one that does not take part in rotation.
The libero serves a critical role in receiving service and playing defense in the backcourt. Although he cannot serve, spike or rotate into the frontline, he holds the key to making his team run a successful offense by a combination of excellent passing and ball-handling.
Scoring
Volleyball has adopted since 1998 a standard scoring system known as the Rally Point System which allows a team to score a point regardless of whichever of the two teams is serving. This is unlike the traditional scoring system in which only the team at service can score.
The ball is hurled into play by a service. Each team is allowed only 3 hits in the service reception. The ball is volleyed back and forth in what is known as a rally. The rally goes on until the ball gets grounded on the playing court, goes out of the court or is not returned properly. Whoever wins a rally scores a point.
A receiving team which wins a rally not only gains a point but also wins the right to serve and the opportunity to rotate clockwise.
Matches
Matches are staged via best-of-five sets. The first four sets are all played to 25 points while the last or fifth set is played to only 15 points. A team wins a set if he out scores the opponent by at least 2 points. As there is no ceiling point, a set continues until a team wins by 2 points.
Uniform
During the early years of volleyball, the usual attire consists of baggy shirts and shorts. Today, volleyball uniforms are less baggy and more formal-looking. Shirts could either be sleeveless, short-sleeved or long-sleeved and paired with either trousers or shorts. Players also wear volleyball shoes.

After years of coaching and cheering for his children's teams, Tim Barth founded Team Warehouse in 2004 to help bring fun stuff to sports. Specializing in funky socks and uniforms for soccer, volleyball, softball and more, www.TeamWarehouse.net has served over 68,000 happy customers.

 

 

The Basic Skills Used in Volleyball

 

There are six primary skills in the sport of volleyball. They are as follows:
Serving - Every play in volleyball starts with the serve. It is the only skill of the game which is completely in the control of the individual player. The serve may be executed either from a standing position or while jumping. The two primary types are float serves, which are hit with no spin so as to knuckle in the air, and top spin serves, which are struck so as to cause the ball to dip down toward the end of its flight.
Passing - Passing is the act of directing a ball coming from the other team in the form of either a serve or other non-attack form of play toward the net where it can be set. Quite often these passes are executed using the forearms (sometimes known as bumping), but they can also be done overhead (at least in the indoor game).
Setting - After a ball is passed (or dug) on the first contact, a second one is used to provide an attackable ball to a hitter. This set is usually executed overhand in the indoor game, though can also be accomplished using a forearm pass. You will see the latter - generally referred to as a bump set - in the beach game quite often where the restrictions on ball-handling are somewhat tighter.
Hitting - Also known as spiking, hitting is the process of attacking the ball into the opponents court. The objective is to score a point by causing the ball to land on the floor or to be played out of bounds by a defending player. This is generally accomplished by jumping and hitting the ball above the height of the net with a downward trajectory.
Blocking - The first line of defense against a hitter is the block. In blocking, a player (or players) attempt to prevent the ball from being played into their court by stopping it from crossing the net at the point of attack. This is executed by jumping very near the net and extending the arms above the head, and into the opponents side of the court for those with the height and/or jumping ability to do so.
Digging - Executed in a similar fashion to passing, digging is the handling of an attacked ball. It can be done either using a forearm pass or overhead, though generally speaking the ball is coming at a more rapid pace than in the case of normal passing. The idea, however, is the same in terms of playing the ball in the direction of the net to then be set.

John Forman, author of the Coaching Volleyball blog, is an experienced coach and volleyball program administrator. These days he plies his trade coaching at the university level in England and consulting with clubs on organizational issues while working toward his PhD. Previously he coached at the NCAA Division I level and in the Juniors ranks, among others. John regularly shares thoughts and his coaching experiences on Twitter at @CoachingVB.

 

Volleyball and the Real World Application

 

To some, volleyball is just a sport, while to others it is an art form. Understanding volleyball allows individuals to develop critical thinking skills, organizational skills, and self-awareness skills. Bystanders may find the sport fun and fast paced, but they rarely understand all of the effort that goes into playing it. Playing volleyball involves more than learning how court chemistry comes together and how plays are run. Playing involves learning the moves and habits of your teammates as well as gaining a sense of awareness. By practicing, a person can develop awareness and critical thinking skills that are important in the game and life.
Skills to be Successful
For a setter, volleyball is like a game of chess. It is all about reading the other players and keeping track of his or her own team. A setter has to be more aware than the other players on the court because he or she controls the pace of the entire game. To play this position successfully, a setter must be witty and smart. He or She must be able to think faster than the pace of the game. On top of that, a setter needs to be able to express his or her thoughts to teammates as well as to listen to teammates. Communication, like in anything else, is a key factor of success in volleyball. A defender must communicate with teammates about positioning. If one player cannot reach the ball, his or her teammates need to know, so they can reach the ball. Players talk to each other during a play to help make decisions about if the ball is in or out of bounds, and players will normally give advice on what play to run. Sometimes players will voice encouragements if another teammate is not playing their best. Another example of communication in volleyball is how a setter and hitter communicate effectively to set the ball along the net where it will not be blocked. Some skills that a setter needs to be successful are as follows:
• Know where everyone is supposed to be on the court at all times.
• Read his or her opponent's behavior and make small adjustments.
• Communicate thoughts and intentions to teammates.
• Move swiftly and think rapidly.
• Plan moves steps ahead.
• Make calculated movements that do not indicate plays to defenders.
Real Life Application
Communication, strategy, and critical thinking are skills that educators work hard to teach effectively. College focuses on testing a student's ability to perform critical thinking activities. Some professors do not understand how students are coming to college with such limited practice in this area. While students have practiced critical thinking in a classroom environment, many students have never been exposed to critical thinking in a realistic setting. Sports are a realistic outlet that can give students an opportunity to begin developing these very important skills.
When someone is able to grow up practicing these skills in a scenario that he or she enjoys, that person learns faster and gives motivation to solve complex problems in life. Passion to learn infused within these necessary skills, one is able to gain experience in a fun, involving way.
By actively participating in sports, individuals practice at problem solving and forming strategy goals, skills which gain importance with age. Particular roles in certain sports, such as a setter position in volleyball, may offer more in-depth practice of these skills than other sports. In addition to learning physical skills, athletes develop mental skills that are relevant to life through the sports they play.

 

Tips For Head Tennis Coaches

 

Hello fellow tennis coaches,
If you coach high school or college tennis right now, I have some great information, that I want to share with you guys here today.
Use these tips as a blueprint for starting your tennis program and then update them every 3 months, so that you can stay on top of your program and also your coaching game.
That being said, let's get cracking!
Develop The Vision.
It all starts with you getting a clear vision of what type of tennis program, that you want to build.
Picture in your mind, how you want your program to look in 3 years and then in 6 years, down the road.
Your vision plan for your program, should be written out and then posted up in your office.
Set Team Goals.
At the start of every season, set team goals together with your team.
Ask them to take part in the planning and come up with some ideas for your goals for that season.
Never lower your goals either.
Instead push them to dig deeper and reach those goals.
Many coaches set goals, then during the season, they lower them for the players and this is the wrong move to take by coaches.
You job is to push them into their greatness and the only way to do that is to, help them develop grit in themselves!
Coach With Passion.
The more passionate you are about the game, the better results your team will get from your coaching.
My best tennis coaches were all passionate about the game.
There is real authentic power in coaching with passion.
It's so contagious, that many of them will over achieve in their careers with you.
I would make that my main coaching theme for every team.
Bring passion to practice and bring even more passion to your team matches.
The main goal is to have fun with your team!
Tennis is the greatest sport in the world and when coaches are coaching with passion, the players are playing with passion.
It's like the "Law of Circulation".
What comes around, goes around the team!
So what do you guys think?
Those are my top 3, now you may disagree with them, but at least try them out first and then see what happens from there.
I wish you guys the best of luck in your careers.
Before you go though, I have a few questions for you guys.
Why are you coaching and is tennis your passion?
If that answer is no, then go find out what it is and go coach that!
Good luck with the season coach!!

Top 10 Tips For Tennis Coaches, click here- https://gumroad.com/l/NlzV

 

3 Tips For Becoming An Elite Tennis Player

 

If you play competitive tennis and have been playing it for a while, then you will want to read this article very slowly.
Also, read this article many times in the future.
Let me share my coaching story with you guys.
I have been studying Elite Players for years, trying to discover how they got to the top mentally in competition.
I have found out that they all have 3 things in common with each other.
And I'm going to share those 3 things with you here today, so please take some notes and refer back to them later.
The 3 things are.
Commitment To Excellence
The top players train their mind, bodies and spirit everyday.
Through this daily training, they are able to strengthen all 3 at the same time!!
The key factor being.
How they train.
They train at a high level, even when they aren't feeling good, and this is the sign of an elite player, who is determined to be the best they can be.
How about you?
Do you train and give your all in practice everyday?
Clearly Define Goals.
Your tennis goals need to be written down on paper and posted up for you to see and picture daily to yourself.
You also need to keep writing them down and rewriting them in present tense.
This create the clarity that you need when working on your goals.
Question.
How often do you write down your tennis goals?
Play To Win.
The top tennis players play to win all the time.
They never even enter a tennis match, until they have won that match in their minds first!!
This allows them to pre-program themselves for victory on the court.
Because they have already won the match mentally, they are more mentally stronger under pressure.
"Elite players expect and demand the very best from themselves, in every match that they play in and it doesn't matter who their opponent is across the net".
The powerful thing about this mindset in competition is,
You can lose a match and still walk off the court, feeling like a winner and that is a powerful feeling to have after a lost!!
Those are 3 common traits that all elite tennis players have.
So start staying congruent with them and you will soon have them too!!
Develop a great attitude as you train daily.
Please remember this one thing here.
Your attitude is your key to success!!

Start winning more tennis matches in 31 days!! Click here- https://gumroad.com/l/IUVIq

 

Tennis Gear You Must Have While Playing Tennis

 

If you are now serious about making tennis a part of your life, then you need certain equipment for your new lifestyle. But don't take your credit card out just yet. There is no need to go crazy and buy the most expensive gear is you're just a beginner. Look for basics that will teach you good form and simply upgrade later as your skills improve.
Tennis Balls
Tennis balls for tournament play have to be either white or yellow on the outside. According to the International Tennis Federation, the ball should measure at least 2.5 inches and no more than 2.63 inches in diameter. The ball also has to bounce no less than 53 inches and no more than 58 inches when dropped from a 100-inch height.
Racket Strings
Strings these days are made of so many types of material, most commonly for advanced players, nylon. It's not so much about the sting itself but how it is strung. There a number of different tennis string tensions, and the right tension depends on your playing style.
Racket Frame
When looking for a racket frame, make sure to choose a weight and thickness that is suitable for your size and strength. A heavier racket can give you more power but might tire you out quicker. The only way to select a racket is through trial and error, so it's likely that you will go through several rackets until you find the perfect fit.
Tennis Clothes
There are typically no restrictions on what players can wear, except at the Wimbledon championships in England (players have to wear all-white clothes). For regular games and training, comfort should be your top consideration. White fabrics are known to reflect the sun while keeping the wearer cooler, but now that technological sportswear is all the rage, the color is irrelevant. Stay away from cotton and go for ClimaLite or Dri-Fitfor maximum moisture wicking. Wear shorts or tennis pants with pockets so you can keep a ball or two on your person when serving. This saves time while retaining fluency.
Racquet Bag
These bags are shaped to accommodate your racquet's contours and often come with pockets where you can store other gear such as cans of balls, accessories, and extra clothes. Be sure to choose a bag with a shoulder strap. Slimmer bags can hold one to two racquets, but you might also want to buy something wider and bulkier models to store three or more racquets as well as more accessories such as a towel, water bottle, and sunscreen.

If you want a racquet perfectly suited for your game, check out http://www.TennisRacket.me.
We've developed a proprietary algorithm that finds your perfect tennis racket. Answer a few questions and we'll analyze thousands of data points and scour the latest and greatest available rackets for you. Our unbiased and accurate results will save you tons of time and improve your game. Stop guessing at what racket you need and know for sure in under 2 minutes.

 

Don't Give Up on Yourself - How to Rediscover Your Love of Running

 

You laid out the perfect plan to achieve your goals and everything was progressing according to your plan. You could see the physical improvements, and you were developing a mental toughness and mindset that nothing was going to get in your way. Until "it" happened...
"It" comes in many forms and when you least expect it - disguised as a family crisis, work demands, or a nasty case of plantar fasciitis. Clearly it's not something you expected to encounter, but it derails progress toward your intended goal. Although it may be disappointing to backtrack to re-gain fitness, re-lose weight, or simply gut out a less-than-ideal situation to get through your intended race, there is comfort in knowing that: "I did it before, so I can do it again!" While that may not be the most comforting thought, sometimes it's enough to get you through the moment (e.g. workout, training plan, or even the race) - and that's all you need.
Let me share with you some experiences and see if you can place yourself any of these scenarios. I'd been putting off surgery for a nagging shoulder injury, but finally had it done in 2012 - after one of the best running years I'd had in quite some time. I'd been fit, lean, and just finished a new ultramarathon distance which was a huge personal triumph. After the race, I had the surgery and couldn't run a step for three months. That major setback in my training cost me many more months to regain the same level of fitness prior to the surgery. As it turns out, I ran the same race again in 2014 and finished faster! I was burnt out by the end of the 2014 running season. I'd worked hard to regain that fitness, but lost my joy for running in the process. For most of 2015, I spent my time hiking, riding my bicycle, or doing many other activities - but I thought that my running days might be in my past. After nearly a year away, I'm back to running and enjoying it as much as ever. My fitness and weight have both declined in the past year, but at least I've recaptured the joy in my running and can work toward improving both. And speaking of weight, with the inevitable march of time, my weight seems to be an ongoing (losing) battle. It's tougher and tougher just to maintain my weight, so I accept that I need to adjust to a new "normal" and work with what life provides. Being at a less than ideal weight is not going to stop me from getting out and doing the things I love.
From the stories I've shared about my own challenges, I hope you take away two important messages:
1) every woman you know is working on overcoming some obstacle between her and her goals - so you aren't alone
2) know that whatever challenge you are facing can be overcome if you don't quit trying!
Let's face facts; most of us are weekend warriors who don't have the luxury of the singular pursuit of our personal goals, and we need to juggle a lot of balls while we are working through our plan to achieve great pursuits - but that makes the achievement that much sweeter. Accept that your plans will probably need to change, and understand that is part of your journey. Most importantly: believe in yourself and your ability to overcome those obstacles to achieve your goals. And never, never, never give up in the pursuit of your own greatness!
-- Linda

Linda Banks is a published author and the owner of Run Inspired Designs, Inc. -- a line of Wearable Inspiration jewelry and clothing to motivate and inspire women. Ms. Banks seeks to empower women to develop the courage to pursue greatness without hesitation.
Sign up to receive her newsletter, purchase her book or Wearable Inspiration jewelry and clothing at http://www.runinspireddesigns.com.