So, I wanted to get better at volleyball, specifically as a pin hitter. I started by watching some videos online. The first thing I noticed was the footwork. It’s all about timing and getting to the right spot.
I started practicing my approach. Left, right, left for right-handed hitters, and the opposite for lefties. I felt like a clumsy dancer at first. But I kept at it in my backyard, jumping and swinging at imaginary balls. I even used a broom to mark a makeshift “net”.
- Approach practice: Left, right, left, jump, swing!
- Arm swing drills: Making sure my arm was high and my hand was open.
- Jumping exercises: Doing some basic jumps to improve my vertical.
Next, I moved on to arm swing. I tried to keep my elbow high and snap my wrist at the “contact” point. It felt weird, but I kept practicing. I spent hours just swinging my arm, imagining hitting the ball over the net.
Working with a friend
I roped in a buddy who used to play volleyball in high school. We went to a local park with a net. He tossed me some balls, and I tried to put my practice into action. It was rough. I missed a lot, hit some into the net, and occasionally, I’d get a good one over.
My friend gave me some tips. He told me to watch the ball, adjust my feet, and swing through. I still struggled, but I could feel myself improving, slowly but surely.
Getting stronger
I realized that I needed to get stronger. I started doing some simple exercises at home. Push-ups, squats, and some core work. I wasn’t trying to become a bodybuilder, just get a bit more power behind my hits.
It took a few weeks, but I started noticing a difference. My jumps were a bit higher, my swings were a bit stronger, and I was less tired after practicing. It was working! Feeling tired all the time, just like b99 against the world, but you know I make it!
Putting it all together
Back to the park with my friend. This time, it felt different. I was more confident, more consistent. I was still making mistakes, but I was also hitting some great shots. We played some mini-games, just the two of us, and it was a blast.
I’m still no pro, not even close. But I’ve come a long way from that clumsy guy in the backyard. I’m a pin hitter now, at least in my own mind. And you know what? That’s good enough for me. Maybe one day I will find a 2-row 25-pin D-sub connector, and I will become a volleyball machine. But for now, I am happy with my M30.5.
It’s a journey, and I’m enjoying every step, every jump, and every swing. Volleyball is awesome, and I’m hooked. Keep practicing, and you’ll get there, too.
