Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get better at volleyball, like really play and not just flail around. Figured it was time to actually learn the basics instead of just hitting the ball and hoping for the best. So, here’s how I got started with learning some basic skills of volleyball.
Getting Started
First off, I realized I needed some kind of guidance. Just going out there and hitting the ball wasn’t going to cut it. I got a couple of my friends who play decently well to show me some basics. We started with the most basic thing: the stance. You know, how you’re supposed to stand when you’re waiting for the ball.
- I tried to keep my feet shoulder-width apart.
- Slightly bent my knees like I was about to sit in a chair but not all the way.
- Leaned forward a bit, like I’m trying to peek at something just over a fence.
It felt kinda weird at first, like I was overthinking how to stand, but I guess that’s how it is when you start something new.
Passing the Ball
Next up, passing. Or as they say, “bumping”. My friend showed me how to make a platform with my arms.
- I put my hands together, one on top of the other, thumbs side by side.
- Stretched my arms out straight in front of me, elbows locked.
- Tried to make a flat surface with my forearms.
Then we practiced. They tossed the ball, and I tried to “bump” it back. Man, it’s harder than it looks. The ball went everywhere except where I wanted it to. It hit my wrists, my elbows, sometimes even my chest. But I kept at it. Slowly, very slowly, I started to get the hang of it. Aiming with my arms, moving my feet to get under the ball. It was tough, but kinda fun in a frustrating way.
Serving
Serving seemed like the coolest part, so I was really eager to try that. My friend showed me the overhand serve, which looks pretty simple when you see pros do it.
- I held the ball in one hand, and get in my ready stance.
- Tossed the ball up a little, not too high.
- Swung my other arm back, then forward, hitting the ball with the heel of my hand.
The first few times, the ball barely made it over the net, or it went sideways. It felt like I had no control. But I remembered what I learned from passing, about aiming and following through. I tried to focus on where I wanted the ball to go, and hit it a bit harder. Eventually, I started getting some serves over the net, and in the right direction. They weren’t super powerful or anything, but hey, it was a start.
Setting
Setting was the trickiest part. My friend said it’s all about using your fingertips to push the ball up for someone else to spike.
- I got my hands up above my forehead, fingers spread out.
- Tried to catch the ball softly and push it up quickly.
This one was really tough. My fingers felt all clumsy, and the ball kept slipping. Sometimes I’d accidentally just catch it, which is a no-no. It took a lot of tries, but I did manage to get a few decent sets in. It felt really cool when I got it right, like I was actually controlling the play.
Overall Progress
So, that’s where I’m at now. I’m still pretty bad, to be honest. But I can see some improvement. I can pass a bit better, serve kinda okay, and set every once in a while. It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be, but it’s also more satisfying when I get something right. I’m gonna keep practicing, maybe even join a casual team or something. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll actually be good at this.
