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GETTING EVERYBODY READY FOR A NEW VOLLEYBALL SEASON
School is back in session, and the indoor volleyball season is getting underway. How are you preparing for the new volleyball season?
That could very well depend on your level of experience. Are you new to the game and hoping to learn all you can about this fascinating sport, or are you a competitive player always looking for ways to improve your volleyball skills?
Well, we’ve gone looking for answers to some of the most common volleyball questions. Here’s a Q&A instructional guide that will help get your season going in the right direction.
FOR BEGINNERS
Why do volleyball players rotate on the court?
The volleyball court is divided into 6 zones on each side of the net – 3 in the front row (near the net) and 3 in the back row. Every time a team wins the serve back from its opponent, all six players must shift one spot clockwise before the next serve is struck.
This keeps players from permanently starting in their strongest position, calling for more versatility from players and more strategy from coaches. The penalty for not starting in the right position is a loss of point, so make sure you know where you need to be before each serve.
The more you play, the more instinctive correct volleyball positioning and rotation will become.
Why does the shortest player (libero) wear a different jersey?
The libero is a very special player. He or she only plays on the back court and can rotate in or out of play without needing a formal substitution via the second referee, like other players do. Liberos are among the team’s most mobile players and serve as defensive specialists.
What do the line judges waving flags actually do?
Like in tennis, volleyball has line judges for in-or-out calls on balls near the sidelines or baselines. But volleyball line judges are also responsible for noticing and signaling subtle touches by the defensive team at the net and making antenna calls.
For a ball called out, the flag is raised above the judge’s head. When it’s in, the flag is down and points toward the middle of the court. For a touch, the flag is waved and pointed toward the team that touched the ball. For all antenna-related calls, the flag is waved and pointed at the antenna.
How do coach substitutions and challenges work during a tight match?
Under FIVB volleyball rules, teams are allowed a maximum of 6 substitutions per set. As previously stated, players must rotate positions every side-out (serve change), so substitutions help a coach optimize player positioning on important points, putting their best offensive or defensive players in the right position to start a point.
Substitutions can also be used to replace an injured player. All substitutions are made during a dead ball (between points). Remember, the libero can replace back-row players without counting against the team’s regular substitution limit.
Which volleyball position is the best for beginners?
The Right-Side Hitter (or Opposite) is often considered one of the easier volleyball positions for beginners to learn because back-row rotations can be lighter, with fewer serve-receive responsibilities.
Note that volleyball positions have nothing to do with the actual court zones (1 to 6), since players can move around the court once the ball is served and coaches can make substitutions to avoid having specialty players out of position.
How do I choose between being a hitter or a passer?
Spiking and setting are two very different actions requiring two distinct skill sets. Hitters are front-line players who hunt for kills, while setters can play all over the court – depending on circumstance or strategy – and dictate the team’s offensive flow.
Typically, hitters are among the tallest and most athletic players on the team. Jump height helps open more options for attacking and striking a winner. Physical criteria are less of a factor for setters and passers, where volleyball sense, positioning, control, and touch are some of the main assets needed to succeed.
As you start your journey in the game, you will soon find out which volleyball position best fits your own assets as an athlete.
FOR COMPETITIVE PLAYERS
How do I jump higher for blocking and spiking?
Here’s a loaded question if I’ve ever seen one. Many factors can help you jump higher in volleyball. Height certainly helps at the net, but since that is beyond your control, focus on what you can improve: training methods, technique, and equipment choices.
To state the obvious, volleyball jump training starts with strengthening your lower-body muscles, but plyometrics and the core should not be neglected. Squats, jump squats, box jumps, frog jumps, step-up jumps, and lunges, among others, all help strengthen the muscle groups that will help take you to new heights.
Strengthening your core will help with balance and stability, which can help optimize your leg strength gains. Consult a professional trainer for a program suited to your needs.
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As for technique, proper vertical jump mechanics involve feet approximately shoulder-width apart on takeoff, a half-squat preload with a relaxed upper body, a strong arm swing for momentum, and a smooth, balanced landing with bent knees.
Although added strength and proper technique are the main contributors to an improved vertical, you can look to Volleyball Town for the proper gear. The right volleyball shoes can assist with performance on the court. Generally, volleyball shoes are divided into two families that most manufacturers now offer – jumping shoes and hybrid/mobility shoes for players who play multiple positions.
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What are the best tips to serve harder or master a jump serve?
There are two types of jump serves, but only one that needs all your power: the topspin jump serve. The other one – the jump float serve – requires touch rather than power.
To master the topspin jump serve, all the same training and jumping mechanics from the vertical apply. The only difference is that to serve, you will also want some forward momentum on your jump – not strictly vertical.
The key to a powerful and controlled jump serve is timing. You want to strike the ball at the highest point of your reach, ideally above the height of the net. On contact, you should snap your wrist and strike the upper portion of the ball to impart the topspin needed to help keep the serve inbounds. Aim for a gap in the opponent’s defensive formation or for their weakest passer.
Since timing is everything, practice is the only way to improve your serve. Countless reps will help develop the consistent toss, explosive approach, height and forward momentum, and powerful strike you will need to baffle your opponents.
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DRILLS
What drills can I do at home to improve fast?
There are tons of volleyball team drills that your coach will plan in practice, and those reps are crucial for success during matches. They ensure proper communication and make rotations more instinctive in different contexts.
However, working on your own game is paramount to your evolution as a player. If you want to improve your volleyball skills at home, here are some basic exercises that will help take your game to the next level. Don’t forget to properly warm up all parts of your body before any drill.
- Squat jumps: Crouch to a half squat and try to jump as high as you can. (3 sets of 10 reps)
- Spike jump (no ball): Same as above but incorporate a three-step run-up and jump as high as possible on a vertical plane, simulating the spike swing at the apex. (3 sets of 10 reps)
- Jump serve (no ball): Same as above, with the run-up and jump as high as possible with slight forward momentum, simulating the serve swing at the apex. (3 sets of 10 reps)
- Passing: Practice ball control by repeatedly playing the volleyball off your fingertips. Start with a 5-foot toss while standing as still as possible, then move on to 10 and 15 feet high. Repeat the drill while moving side-to-side and forward and backward, always trying to direct the ball 3 to 5 feet from your original position. (As many reps as you can handle.)
If you have a net or a wall at home, you can add hitting the ball to the spike jump and jump serve drills.