Tag Archives: How to

May 10

Are you warming up incorrectly?

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Got a big volleyball game coming up? Here is a GREAT article on warming up. Specifically using a dynamic warmup prior to a volleyball game.

Volleyball Warm-Up Do’s and Dont’s with Kari Schneider
How is your warm-up working for you? Are you sitting around stretching your hamstrings? Are you jogging in circles? Should you stretch statically or dynamically? Let me just tell you…

Here is the question…How should an athlete warm-up and what type of stretching should they do pre-workout or match and post? I have been asked this question so many times that my answer is pretty rehearsed by now-so here is the short version… After working with thousands of athletes and clients my answer is simple, pre training or competition is dynamic and post is static. Now of course there is always the exception to the rule but I’ll give you some of the reasons why I have answered this way.

Read more on Volleywood…

Apr 13

How to serve a top spin

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I ran across this article on Volleyball.com and thought I’d share it.

How to serve a top spin

A top spin refers to the top of the volley ball spinning forward. It can be a difficult hit that has a great pay off. The ball dives suddenly in front of the opposing team and looks impressive and is often mistaken for a ball going past the end line.

There are some tips that apply to almost all serves, and they apply to the top spin as well. Always use follow through when hitting, which means when serving don’t plan to stop the motion of your arm when making contact. Aim beyond the ball, and hit like the ball is a few feet beyond where it is. Keep your eyes on the ball. Focus on the hit.

The actual motion offers a few techniques that can sometimes take people a few years to learn. A good tip is to practice with a small ball, like a baseball, and flick it against a wall repeatedly.

  1. You need to position yourself so that you are under the ball to hit it. Some players throw it behind the back, or use different hands. The thing to remember is to be under the ball as it arcs upwards, so that you can apply the perfect motion to the perfect spot.
  2. Hit the ball with your hand open, the arm firm but the wrist relaxed. Your arm should be fully extended at the point of contact. Aim for the bottom center of the ball.
The rest of this article can be found under How to Serve a Top Spin on Volleyball.com.

But, I’m more a float serving gal myself. Kindred spirits, check out our post on float serves.

Mar 16

Volleyball Outside Hitters: Transition to approach

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Since our transition-approach videos have been getting so much buzz on youtube. Thought I’d post another one.

Outside Hitters, this one’s for you!

In this demonstration, our outside hitter is swinging out to assist the block on the left side. In which case, she would open to the court right-left-hop, turn then immediately moving to a modified 3-step approach.

Want to learn this Modified 3-Step Approach? Click here.

Comments? Visit our forum.

Apr 21

The basic basics of passing and setting

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Constant repetition is the key to improvement in volleyball. Here are two basic form drills. The demonstrators (11-12 years old) are in their first season of volleyball.

Passing warmup

Tip: Putting her right leg in front helps her with passing on her left knee. As you can see, it would be impossible to pass on her right knee in this position.

Setting warmup

Tip: Tell the young’un to hold her hands above her head as if she were chugging a 2-liter of pop (you’ll get giggles on this one). Oh, and after she releases: Superman pose (notice her arms straight up as if she were to fly to Smallville and save Lois Lane).

Start each practice with form drills like these to help players get used to the feeling of using their hands and forearms correctly in a controlled environment.

20-30 reps oughtta do it.