Okay, so yesterday I decided to hit the volleyball court with some friends. We weren’t playing a super serious game, but I still wanted to try and improve my skills. I’ve noticed in the past that there are certain things, little “game-related” moves, that really seem to make a difference in whether we win or lose. So, I was focusing on those.
First thing I worked on was my serving. I’m not the best server, I tend to just get it over the net. But yesterday, I really tried to aim for specific spots. I picked a corner, visualized the ball going there, and really focused. It wasn’t perfect, but I definitely saw an improvement. A few times, I even managed to throw the other team off guard a bit, which was cool.
Working on Passing
- Keep my platform steady: I used to get really bouncy with my arms when passing, which made the ball go all over the place. I tried to keep a nice, solid, still platform with my forearms. It made a huge difference in control.
- Move my feet: Instead of just reaching for the ball, I made a conscious effort to actually move my feet and get my body behind the ball. Again, way more control. It sounds simple, but it’s something I don’t always do.
Then, there’s the whole setting thing. I’m usually a hitter, but sometimes you gotta set, right? I concentrated on getting my hands up early and really pushing the ball up instead of just slapping at it. It’s tough! My sets weren’t always beautiful, but I felt like I got better at placing the ball where my hitters could actually get to it.
Spiking with Purpose
When it was my turn to hit, I didn’t just swing wildly. I tried to actually look at the other side of the court and see where the blockers were (or weren’t!). Then, I’d try to hit around them, or aim for an open spot. It didn’t always work, sometimes I’d still get blocked, but when it did work, it felt awesome.
The last thing I focused on, and this is maybe the most “game-related” of all, was communication. We were calling out who was getting the ball, saying “mine!” or “you!” really loud. It sounds basic, but it prevents those awkward moments where two people go for the ball and it ends up dropping between them. We also tried to encourage each other, even when we messed up. It made the whole game more fun, and I think it actually helped us play better as a team.
So, yeah, it wasn’t a pro game or anything, but focusing on these little things, that will improve my skills, and my performance with my friends, made a noticeable difference. I’m going to keep practicing these to make sure I’m a more valuable and skillful member of my team.
