Setting- One of the Most Important Aspects of Volleyball- 4th Post

Hello everyone!(: Today we'll talk about setting. Setters are very important parts of the game of volleyball. To be a setter, it is very important that you know the physics of the game. Setters are vital, and they don't get all the glory that they deserve. That amazing kill wouldn't be possible without a good setter. Setting is one of the hardest skills to master, because you have the most control over the ball. Having a good set is critical to scoring points in a middle school or high school game. Being the setter is like being the quarterback in football. You pass the ball so the offense can score.

To set, you should have your hands cupped, to take the spin off the ball and to sent it in the right direction. If your hands are not cupped, the ball will just bounce off in a different direction than intended. Unless you are dumping the ball over the net, you should face your feet to your target, or your hitter. Even if you are doing back-sets to the right side hitter, your feet should still point backwards to where the ball is supposed to go. Your hands should also be wide open, but not too wide, so you can get more control. Always let only your fingertips touch the ball when you set. Your palms should never touch the ball.

Jump setting is a good way to get the ball higher and get more power behind it. Instead of simply pushing up with your legs, you jump as you set the ball.

To help you become stronger at setting, it is a good idea to purchase a Setter Ball. These balls are heavier, and make your arms stronger, so you will be able to push the set all the way to the outside. I will post the link below.

You can't put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get. -Michael Phelps

Works Cited
BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2013.

Image courtesy of: USA Volleyball

"Home." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan. 2013.

Setter's Ball®

Hits, and How Your Vertical Will Effect Them- 3rd Post

Hi guys!(: Today I'm going to tell you about hits and how your vertical can affect the power and speed of your hits. The higher your vertical is, the better angle you have to be able to hit the ball to the ground, making it harder to receive by the opponent's defense. If your vertical isn't high, you will have to hit the ball up more, which is easier to receive. The standard women's net height is 7.35 ft. You must be able to get your elbow above that to make a straight down hit. Since most people are incapable of doing that, you will have to hit the ball slightly up. Also, if you have a high vertical, you are more likely to get your hit over the other team's block. To put more kinetic energy on the ball, or in other words to put more speed on the ball, you should follow through with your hand after you hit. When you jump, you turn kinetic energy into potential energy. If you stop before you jump, your vertical will not be as high. I hope you learned a lot from today's post! Thanks for reading!


Here is a video of a famous volleyball player, Leonel Marshall. He has the highest volleyball vertical in the world. As you can see, having a good vertical pays off!


I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
Michael Jordan

"YouTube." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2012.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QoKhEiAHfYs

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

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.