How did you learn to play?

[subopposite]

Well, I played baseball and pitched. I first played volleyball when I was 20 for pickup for something to do and it was jungle ball and I sucked bad, but so did everyone else basically. Only rule was "no net". Ha ha! I did that for about 4 years and decided I wanted more regualtions and better comp., so I played in Vermont's only power league. For 3 years I got my lessons from the team I played on in the middle of the leagues rankings, matured and made my own team and for the last 2 years I took a lot of my lessons from the best Vermont had to offer for a player. We both like to have fun, so plenty of time to learn. Now, I'm captain for the current top team for Vermont and my friend moved away to Chicago, so I'll just have to grab scraps of knowledge here and there.
There is a setter, who is also a good blocker that I am learning from now. My current agenda is learning how to power tip when hitting is a bad option and blocking better. I'm not "old school" I am "no school" so the higher the level gets, the more you are going to get blocked, so mixing things up or hitting the tops of hands and using more attack vision is where I am at for learning right now.
Yankee tourneys are fun and helpful for learning as well. Vermont is just starting to get into them. Last 2 years we got to hit about 3. Hopefully, a few more this year, but we are so slow to get organized and start. We range in the C+ to BB depending on who goes and at BB we more than typically get wholloped. Cheers!

[kvb]

I did not play in high school nor college, but wish I had. I was on the tennis team back in high school and was on the ski race team, but no volley And I was a geek in college, busy finishing my undergrad in just under 3 years - what a nut - shoulda been playing volley!

I learned to volley on the beach in Redondo when I lived in Cally many moons ago (yes, it was sometime after the ice age) - my boyfriend at the time was into it, so we'd play pickup 2's or 3's with whoever back then all day Sat. or Sun. or both. I remember the sand was so hot, it'd burn your feet, unless you had socks, but after a while your feet would toughen up. If you can believe this, it was back before volleyball was popular.

When I got back to NY played in tons of Y leagues - mostly 4's & 6's - sand and indoor. I learned quickly to play almost exclusively in leagues that have refs, which forces people to learn and play by the rules. I've played in tons of pickups, not sure how much I've learned there. Played club many years and learned a lot there - with different teams I have played OH, Middle, and Setter, it's good to learn all the positions. Have done a little coaching of high school club girls volleyball - learn a lot when trying to explain it to somebody or show it-have a newfound respect for coaches. One year I hooked up with these 20 or so Vietnamese guys and we played beach volley every day after work in the sand at the park. At one point I learned how to keep score in Vietnamese, but alas I forgot that part! But I still remember their hustle and never give up positive attitude and pure fun/love of the sport and their amazing vert.! Really incredible! We'd play 'til dark every day! Been to many coaching clinics such as Pat Powers and Al B, learned some more there. I've played 'speed volley' near Toronto, learned some more there. Have played for many years in a men's 3's club sand league - learned more there. And have played 2's grass for a few years and have learned more there. Also played some beach tournies and learned some more there. Last night we played against a team that had a Div I college player. I like to play against tough competition, cuz it makes ya learn. I played in about 20-30 tournaments last year, learn a lot there. Always learning! But you'd think I'd be good by now - lol! NOT! It's crazy late and I just got home from volley...go figure!

[jflo]

I learned from my father who played in his teen years and traveled for tournaments and what not in the 70's.

I played on a club team around the age of 10-11 at BVAC (Here in KC area) and played intermural ball as we didn't have organized VB in HS. I played a lot of sand in the summers between HS years and then played a bit of sand and grass in college as the college I went do didn't have organized ball either.

I have since started playing power co-ed and I'm looking into playing HOA here in Kansas City. I am also looking into playing more mens tournaments but my skill level needs to get better. I've never tried out but my teammates said I would be a B/BB player right now.

I am on here to get suggestions and tips about how I can improve my skills to become a better all around player.

Thanks

jflo

[StephieJean18]

my intro to vb was overly dramatic... wanna hear?

in 7th grade i was a dedicated soccer player, until i twisted my ankle and was rushed to the doctor. when they did the x-ray, they found something abnormal and suggested i get it checked out. after numerous opinions, it turned out that i had a tumor in my leg that was slowly eating away my bone marrow. i had major surgery on christmas eve and spent the next 2 months in bed, 6 months on crutches and a year and a half in physical therapy. they told me i definitely couldn't play sports ever again and that i more than likely wouldn't be able to jump very high.

for those of you who know me, i'm sure you could guess what my reaction was.

for those of you who don't, my reaction was, "f*ck that."

i found the sport that would challenge me the most and went for it. i tried out in 9th grade and spent one year on jv, the rest on varsity. i was lucky enough to have an amazing varsity coach and mentor who taught me to love the game as much as she did.

and now... well... have you seen my vertical? :-)

[NewEnglandRT]

You're right Stephie, that was dramatic