Muscular strength is probably the most important thing that volleyball develops. In almost everything you do while playing a game of volleyball, you develop muscular strength. When you hit, your chest and core is involved when you swing. If you don't have strong chest and core muscles, you will not be able to swing hard, and the ball will be easier to retrieve. When you pass, you mimic the "squat" exercise, which is a very beneficial exercise. This ensues your legs. You must use your legs to push the ball up to the setter. You should not use your arms to push the ball, this is not as accurate. When you set, you must use arms, legs, and hands, especially your thighs. When the ball is coming to you, you need to load your legs and arms, and push up. Your hands need to be strong to prevent injury. Volleyball does not only benefit muscular strength.
You use your eyes and hand-eye coordination daily. You will have faster reflexes as well. When you serve, you must follow the ball with your eyes, and strike the ball at the right point. This goes for hitting also. When you are on defense, you must read the hitter, and react to where the ball is going. You must coordinate where your arms are to where the ball is. While setting, you need to use hand-eye coordination to see where your hitters are, to make sure to give them a good set. You also need to look at your hands to make use to follow them both to the ball to prevent a double. Anytime you touch the ball, you must coordinate the speed of the ball and the course.
Your cardiovascular health is benefitted when you play volleyball, because when you work hard and strain your body, you make your heart work harder to give your body oxygen, making your heart and lungs stronger.
The lateral movement displayed in volleyball makes your core strong. With a strong core, you have very good balance.
Even though volleyball benefits your health in many ways, it can also hurt your muscles and bones. This mostly has to do with your form. If you don't have correct form, you can hurt yourself. For example, if you don't jump with two feet, you can land on one foot, and over time, you can weaken and hurt that foot.
"If you can accept losing, you can't win." -Vince Lombardi, American football coach
In this photo, the setter has tracked her hitter, and is now following the ball into her hands with her eyes. She uses her arms and legs to push the ball up. The hitter is tracking the ball, and calculating its course to make a good hit. She is using her legs to have an explosive approach. when she hits, she will use her chest, arms, and core.
Works Cited
"2005 KU Volleyball Jayhawk Invitational / LJWorld.com." 2005 KU Volleyball Jayhawk Invitational / LJWorld.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.
"Famous Quotes by Vince Lombardi." Vince Lombardi. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.
"What Benefits Does Playing Volleyball Have on Your Health?" LIVESTRONG.COM. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.
