Thursday, November 15, 2012

How to Make Your Serves Float- 2nd Post

In the first post, I told you a little about the different kinds of serves. Now I will tell you how to make your serves float.

Floater serves are very hard to master, but if you do the right movements, it will become a lot easier. To start a floater serve, you should do what you normally do to serve a regular overhand serve. You should put the airhole of the ball down, on your palm when you hold the ball before you serve. The airhole is the heaviest part of the ball, and when it is down it makes the ball able to float.This serve works better if you are a beach volleyball player, because the wind will go in the seams of the volleyball, making it move in the air. This serve will still work well indoors, but it won't be as dramatic movement. If the indoor gym has a strong air conditioning system, the air will still go into the seams of the volleyball. When you hit the ball, it is different than a regular serve. You should only hit the ball with the hard palm part of your hand. You do not want your fingertips to touch the ball. The key to getting the ball to float is to strike the ball and to pull back. Do not follow through, as you would on a top spin serve. You need a quick, firm contact on the middle of the ball for it to float.

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will." - Vince Lombardi

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Get to Know the Basics- 1st Post

Volleyball involves lots of physics. Just think about it! First I'm going to start off by defining a few volleyball terms, so you are familiar with the sport. There are a couple different types of serves.
Underhand- you hold the ball in one hand, while the other hand makes a fist and hits the ball over the net, out of your hand
Overhand- you toss the ball, and take a step. The other hand stays open, and hits the ball while it is in the air.
Jump Serve- (for right handed people) left foot step, throw, right, left, jump, hit
Float Serve- You hit the ball a little bit more on top of your head, and the ball moves in the air, making it harder to receive.
Top Spin Serve- In this serve, you throw the ball so that it spins back toward you. You snap your wrist when you hit the ball.

There are also many types of hits. I'll just give you the basics.
Outside hit- the person on the front row of the court, on the far left side receives the set. This is usually a high set.
Middle hit- This set goes to the person on the front row in the middle.
Quick Middle Hit- This is a very short, quick set. This hit is used to confuse the blockers on the other side. The hit also goes down to the floor vey fast, making it hard for the defense players to get to.
Right Side Hit- When the setter receives the ball, they tilt their back a little, making the ball go slightly back. This is usually a medium height set.

Now I will define a few passing terms.
Freeball Passing- When the opposing team just passes the ball over and it goes to the back row, this should be a very easy pass for defense players.
Serve Receive- Passing off a serve
Defensive Passing- This occurs when one of the hitters from the other team hits the ball, mentioned above.

Within the next few posts, I will explain how you use physics to make the different kinds of serves. Knowing the physics involved in the game will make you a much better player. You will be able to understand what to do to make the game more intense. Just think, how do you think some of the best volleyball players got so good? Physics. They know the science of the game.

After each post, I will leave you with a short sports quote.

“You were born to be a player. You were meant to be here. This moment is yours.”-Herb Brooks, coach of the USA men's ice hockey team in 1980.