How Playing Beach Volleyball Can Help Your Indoor Game

Hi, today I'm going to tell you about how playing sand volleyball can improve your indoor game. Many people play sand volleyball in the summer and in their offseason, and it is a great idea. Not only does it make you stronger, but it is a lot of fun. I found an article on running on sand vs. running on concrete. The main points are below.

Running on sand is a much more intensive workout than running on concrete or on the hard indoor court. You burn more calories, making the workout harder. Just think about running in sand. When you step into the sand, your foot sinks down a little, and you have to use muscle power to pull it out. There is also a lot more friction involved, so you have to work harder.

Concrete is harder on the knees. If you consistently run on hard surfaces, you may notice some pain in your knees, hips, and ankles. This is because when your feet hit the ground it causes pressure on your joints, and the constant wear and tear on your joints will definitely cause pain. You may even have to have replacement surgeries if it gets too bad. The harder the surface you are running or playing on, the harder it is on your joints. Since sand is so soft, it acts as a shock absorber. Grass would also be a good alternative to hard court in the summer and offseason.

Remember, at first, you will not be as fast as you are on the court. You will get used to it though. The more you practice in the sand, the stronger your muscles will get and the easier it will be to run on sand. You must be careful though. Since the sand is softer, it is much easier to roll an ankle or knee.

Playing sand volleyball will also give you better balance and make you more coordinated. Since you have the whole court to cover with your partner, you will get more aggressive and get to play "all positions". You strengthen your balance because the sand is not stable and you have to be able to run and and play in it.

Kerri Walsh, comparing beach volleyball to playing indoor... "You touch every other ball and, if you screw up, you only have one more person to back you up. You cant go hide in the corner."

Works Cited
"5 Benefits Of Running In Sand." Mademan RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2013.
"Beat the Summer Heat like Olympians Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Traenor." Fitznesscom RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2013.
"Sand Running vs. Running on Concrete." / Fitness / Exercises. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2013.
"Volleyball QuotesVolleyball Slogans, Sayings, Mottos, Chants, and Cheers." Volleyball Quotes to Inspire and Motivate Volleyball Players. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2013.

Sweat Seems Dirty, But it is Actually Cleaning You!- Post 6

Volleyball is a challenging and demanding sport, and you probably sweat a lot whenever you play it. Some people think it is gross, or dirty to sweat, but it is actually very healthy, and cleans your body. I will answer some commonly asked questions about sweat and the chemicals in it below.

How could sweat clean your body?
Sweating doesn't actually clean the outside of your body, but the inside. You have harmful waste chemicals inside your body that need to get out. When you sweat, you release these chemicals.

Sometimes I sweat when I'm not exercising. What is this?
There are two types of sweat, and two types of sweat glands. The more numerous type of sweat and sweat gland (the one that we are talking about) is activated when you exercise, and is used to cool your body down. The other kind of sweat gland could be activated when you are under stress, or are embarrassed. There are less of these glands, and this sweat tends to have more odor when it is released.

What are the chemicals that are released when I sweat?
Your sweat is 99% water. That's not the harmful part, though. The other 1% of your sweat is made up of NaCl, Vitamin C, uric acid, urea, ammonia and lactic acid.

Is it bad if I sweat a lot and lose a lot of water and other chemicals that are good for my body?
It is not bad to sweat a lot, but you must remember that if you are sweating a lot, that you must drink tons of water or sports drink. Gatorade, for example, is most of the good chemicals in sweat, with carbohydrates added. Doctors at a university on Florida studied their athlete's sweat and examined the chemical content. They modeled their sports drink after what they saw. They concluded that your body needs some of the chemicals it released back, which are electrolytes. You may find some water brands that have "added electrolytes". These and sports drinks are the best things to drink at tournaments and games.


"The advice I will give my children, if and when they have Olympic aspirations will be to go for it." -Kerri Walsh, 3 time American Olympic gold medalist in beach volleyball


Works Cited
BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2013.
"Glaceau-Vitaminwater: Smartwater Electrolyte Enhanced Water, 120 Oz." Walmart.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2013.
"Re: What Is Sweat Made of and How Much of Each Chemical Is Present?" Re: What Is Sweat Made of and How Much of Each Chemical Is Present? N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2013.