A great hitting strategy.

Here´s a way to up your outside hitting percentage by simply making your opposing blocker "play you honestly." The strategy is simple, but not used nearly enough. All you have to do is to always, without exception, hit your first ball down the line. Sounds simple, right? But what it does is this: blockers are taught to block angle until the opponent hits the line, since 90% of hits are blasted angle. So if you hit your very first hit down the line, it instantly shows your opponent you can do it, and that you WILL do it. They must now play you straight on, to guard the line, which will open up your angle again. Another hint: if your first line shot goes down, hit your second one down the line, too. The reason? Many coaches assume that a line shot was actually an accident, a ball that wasn´t hit right, in effect. They´ll tell their blockers to keep blocking angle until their opponent hits two down the line. So you´ll get away with a second shot down the line, as well. It goes without saying that if they never adjust, keep hitting the line all night. Either way, your percentage has increased dramatically.

Doug Beal´s Tips For Player Success

Doug Beal, Coach of the 1984 Gold-Medal-winning U.S. Men´s Olympic Team, outlines his traits a winning volleyball athlete should cultivate in his 1985 book "Spike!"

Respect the other team´s athletes.

When you block a ball, turn around and celebrate with your teammates.

Don´t play them, play yourself.

If you only play to win, you limit yourself. You can do better! Play every ball as if it was the most important play of the game.

Don´t watch the other players to see what they´re doing. Don´t worry about the score. Play your very best, every play, and the rest will take care of itself.

Celebrating together builds enthusiasm and confidence.

Playing against yourself builds skill and sportsmanship.

Blocking

If you´re playing a hitter who connects well enough to be able to hit a variety of angles, you´ll need to cover more area with your block. Since you´re up there by yourself, you´ll need to get tricky at times. Try setting up as if you were going to block line, thus making your opponent think the angle shot is open. Since the angle is generally their best shot, they´ll usually fall for the bait. At the last possible second, move your arms quickly into the angle lane, and take that shot away. Sometimes, you´ll be able to stop several of those shots in a row before your opponent figures out what you´re doing.

2-on-2 Half-Court

For a very quick game, with accuracy as the #1 priority, 2-on-2 half-court is a great drill. It works well for teams that only have one court to work out on, as well, since you can run two games at once.

Just put run piece of tape straight down at the 1/2 way point of your net, and a small piece of tape at the 1/2 way point at each end line, and you´re ready to go.

You can run it to a set number of points (if we do that, we play rally score, to emphasize serving, as well) or in a Queen of the Court format, where the winning team stays on as long as they get the point.

Either way, it´s fast moving, and requires good passing skills, accurate serving, and tight defense, which will help your team on the large court, as well.

Offseason Conditioning

Objective:
This tip will help you stay in shape or get in shape for your upcoming season that will be here before you know it.

Course of Action:
1. Play in at least one league all of the time.
2. Do not play only indoor volleyball. If you spend most of your time playing inside, try and get involved in an outdoor league or beach volleyball.
3. Play 2 person beach volleyball whenever possible, this will help every part of your game.
4. Begin a running schedule, if you do not have one already. Training is not just for the off-season.
5. 2 key exercises to do are running at least 8 – 10 miles a week and getting involved in a jumping program or plyometrics.

Focus On:
1. The more you play the better, but do not do more than your body is capable of handling.
2. Cross-train when time permits. Getting involved in other sports is good because it will help you develop muscles that you may not use during the volleyball season.

A Fun Camp Ice Breaking Relay

Breaking the ice is always the first hurdle for a camp director, and here´s one the kids love.

Divide your kids into several groups, preferably in teams of 5 or 6, in relay lines. Hand each player a volleyball, have the first player run to the other end of the gym and back. Then that player hands their ball to the next player, who repeats the run.

The relay continues, until the final player has to juggle all 5 or 6 balls as they run. It makes for great fun.

After we´ve done that once, we then run the relay with everyone having to carry all the balls each time. If they have no trouble with 5 or 6, keep adding balls to the relay until the teams have to help each other by helping team mates stuff balls in shirts, shorts, etc.

It becomes hilarious, and promotes players to work together for success.

Getting A Scholarship, Part 1

Every high school player, if they love the game and would like to continue playing at the next level, gives thought to trying to find a scholarship to help make that dream possible.

If that description fits you, you´ll have several factors to consider. First of all, do you have a particular school in mind?

If you want to target a particular school, you´ll need to first know if they even give out scholarships. Many smaller schools don´t. You can find that out through your coach or the school´s website.

Some phone #s and addresses.

American Volleyball Coaches Assn. (AVCA)
1227 Lake Plaza Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
719-576-7777

American Coaching Effectiveness Program (ACEP)
Box 5076
Champaign, IL 61825-5076
800-747-5698

United States Volleyball Assn. (USVBA)
3595 E. Fountain Blvd. (Suite I-2)
Colorado Springs, CO 80910-1740
800-275-8782

PAVO

The Professional Association of Volleyball Officials is an organization dedicated to improving the skills of volleyball referees. It´s a worthwhile cause, and their website is worth visiting, whether you want to hone your own rule knowledge or wonder who´s available to ref your next tournament.

Their web address is www.pavo.org.

Professional Association of Volleyball Officials
P. O. Box 8660
Topeka, KS 66608
Voice: (888) 791-2074
Fax: (785) 286-3444

Starting An Unofficial Club

Starting an "unofficial" club is as simple as finding a group of players, getting a gym and agreeing to meet at certain times. Anyone can do it; it´s not hard.

All you´ll need is a responsible adult to sign some papers at the gym you´ve located. Finding the gym is simple, too. Just get on the phone and call. You´ll be surprised how many gyms are available after schools hours, many at no cost. It´s like having a health club gym all to yourself, for free!

Try it, and get your "club" started.