TIP OF THE WEEK

- Tip of the Week -

Golden Rules:

1. Be ready to move in any direction.

2. Keep the ball on your side of the net and at least 10 feet high.

3. Use two arms when you can.

4. Watch the approach and arm swing of the hitter.

5. Go after every ball – even the impossible ones.

Passing:

  • Good Passing Posture:
    • Feet positioning: The heel of your right foot should be aligned with the toe of your left foot. Keep your knees bent with your shoulders in front of your knees. Arms should be straight out in front of your body with the heels of your hand together.
  • Forearm Contact:
    • Contact the ball with the meaty part of your arms about 1 to 6 inches above your wrist. Keep your platform relaxed as your legs should be doing most of the work.
  • Angle Platform to the Target:
    • Vertical Passing: The closer you are to your target the more parallel your arms need to be to the ground. Maintain a low stance like mentioned in the 'passing posture' point.
    • Horizontal Passing: You can pass the ball right or left by simply dropping a shoulder. To pass to the RIGHT drop your right shoulder and to pass to the LEFT drop your left shoulder. The more you drop your shoulder the greater the angle of the ball.
  • Movement to the Ball:
    • Transfer your weight from your left foot to your right: to get a little more power behind the ball try stepping in with your right foot instead of transferring your weight from one foot to another.
    • Your platform must be controlled and relaxed with your legs doing most of the work.

Top Spin Serve:

  • Get Ready to Serve:
    • Getting ready to serve the same way is key to serving with consistency.
    • Set your serving position with your feet placed in a stride position, with the forward foot pointed toward the net post and well behind the end line.
    • Your shoulders should be turned slightly toward the side line with your non-hitting shoulder towards the net. Look up and visualize how high you want to toss the ball as visualization is the key to consisent serving.
  • The Toss:
    • Toss the volleyball so that it slightly behind your hitting shoulder.
    • Arch your back and swing your arm back so that your elbow is raised high and your hand is next to your ear.
  • The Hit:
    • Hit up on the ball: Contact the ball with the heel of you hand.
    • Contact the ball when your arm is fully extended.
    • As you hit the ball, you snap you wrist upon contact, actually attempting to roll your hand over the top of the ball.
    • In the same motion above you want to crunch you stomach and transfer your weight forward.
  • Follow Through:
    • Once you have hit the ball, transfer your weight to your forward foot and bring your arm quickly down to your waist.

Setting the Ball:

  1. Set up with your feet staggered and dominate foot forward 
  2. Move to the ball
  3. Your shoulders should be square to your target, arms and legs bent with your weight on your toes 
  4. Hands are placed above your forehead with the palms up 
  5. Your hand should form a window with the thumbs forward and index fingers close to each other 
  6. Contact the ball on the lower back side with fingers and thumbs and push up with your arms and legs 
  7. Fully extend your arms and point your hands toward the target 
  8. Transfer your weight towards the target and move in the direction of the set 

Hints

  1. Keep the ball in front of you 
  2. Step forward and contact the ball slightly behind your head for a back set 
  3. Relaxed hands make for smoother sets 

Pre-Season Conditioning:

Here are a few suggestions on how to get in shape for a summer long season of beach volleyball:

  1. Play in a volleyball league (beach or court) all year round so that skills are being maintained;
  2. Participate in clinics as they will help improve various dimensions in your game;
  3. Play 2 person beach volleyball whenever possible . . . this will help your game;
  4. Set up a running scedual for the year: you should be running 15-20k a week;
  5. Cross-train when time permits. Whether it is in a jumping program or plyometrics it helps develop muscles that you may not use during the volleyball season;
  6. Monitor what you are eating . . . healthy meals doesn't mean bland, so check and pick a couple of new healthy recipes and incorporate them into your weekly meal plan (www.foodnetwork.ca).

Court Communication:

It is one of the most important and fundamental aspects of Beach Volleyball or Volleyball for that matter.  By calling the ball you indicate to your teammates that you are committed to receiving the hit or pass from your opponent or teammate.  Calling the ball indicates your awareness therefore boosting the confidence of your teammates, because they know that you are actively aware of what is occuring on the court.  If one person on the team is not alert then communication break down, thus leading to a loss of point and team energy.

Remember that active and positive communication is an important skill necessary for team success . . . so speak up and talk to your teammates!!!!

 

* If you are NEW the sport of Beach Volleyball or just need to know how it all started, just click on this link for a Brief History of Beach Volleyball provided by Volleyball Canada for all you need to know!!!

 
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