Okay, here’s my personal take on prepping for a volleyball game, based on my own experiences:
My Routine to Get Ready for a Volleyball Game
First things first, I gotta make sure I’ve eaten right. I’m not talking about a huge meal right before the game, that’s a recipe for disaster. I usually aim for something light but energy-packed about 2-3 hours beforehand. Think like, a chicken breast with some brown rice and veggies. Or maybe a good-sized sandwich with lean turkey. Nothing too greasy or heavy that’s gonna make me feel sluggish on the court.
Then, I start with some dynamic stretching. I skip the static stretches (where you hold a pose) for later. Right now, I need to get my blood flowing and my muscles loose. I do things like:
- Arm circles – forward and backward, big and small.
- Leg swings – forward, backward, and sideways. Really opens up those hips.
- Torso twists – gotta get that core warmed up.
- High knees – gets the heart rate up a bit.
- Butt kicks – same deal, plus it stretches the quads.
After that, I like to do some light cardio. Nothing crazy, just enough to get a sweat going. I might jog around the court a few times, do some jumping jacks, or even just shuffle side to side. The goal is to feel warm and energized, not exhausted.
Next up, it’s volleyball-specific drills. This is where I really start to focus. I’ll grab a teammate (or even just use the wall) and do some:
- Passing: Get the pass to consistensy
- Setting: Focus on the set, where it should be, how it should be.
- Hitting: Focus on the jump, the arm movement, the hit and the landing.
- Serving: Practicing the serve, and try different serving methods.
We’ll pepper for a bit, just getting used to the feel of the ball and working on our timing. This is also a good chance to chat with my teammates, get on the same page, and talk about any strategies we might want to use during the game.
Finally, right before the game starts, I take a few minutes for myself. I do some deep breathing, visualize myself making good plays, and just try to get into a positive, focused mindset. I remind myself to have fun, play hard, and support my teammates. That’s really what it’s all about, right?
And after all of the game, I will grab my bag, do some static streching.Hold each stretch for about 30 seconds, and don’t bounce. I focus on the muscles I used the most during the game – my legs, shoulders, and back. Then, I will eat a big meal with my friends.
