The spiritual aspect of volleyball.

[Mr. Owl]

I saw this posted a few weeks ago and wanted your thoughts on the spirtual aspect of volleyball.

"I am intrigued by the spiritual aspect in volleyball - having read
about martial arts and paid attention to various television programs
which highlight such things as Chi or Ki, and such images of a
blind Zen archer able to fire their arrow accurately - I have wondered
about such things during volleyball.

There are some things in volleyball you can't explain simply in your own
play - why are you able to do certain difficult things.
I am a good ball chaser and can still set after a good chase for the 2nd
ball - and I can still set from a bad pass.

I like doing a dig set over my head - towards my blind side.
I think the reinforcement that - if you can do something once - you can
do it again, if you mentally tell yourself you can do it.

A skeptic about all this, would simply say - that it's all due to
repetitive situations happening time and time again. That you retain a
memory (although largely unconscious) of repeating situations, therefore
you know what to expect and are better prepared to deal with it, as per
what happened before in that situation.

I have a very basic attitude of 'never give up' and 'try and try again' -
that I've able to make contact with balls that go into the net and drop
downwards, I'll use my foot to save a ball, and I'll reach out with my
arm if I have to - while I may not do a perfect save every time -
I hope eventually to get better and better at doing so.

What do you do, after playing volleyball over many many years?
I have started using my other arm for spiking - while it's a much weaker
arm, and uncoordinated, I am starting to use it more and more -
when I have to.

As you age, you can't hope to match the speed of younger players, who
are more fit than you are - I think you have more chance against them,
with the more varied things you can do, which you have picked up over time.
I guess the more experienced player, has more tricks (moves) up their
sleeve over the younger players?

I think the so-called spiritual aspect is that although you may practice
spiking a lot - in a given situation, you should allow yourself to do
whatever is necessary for that situation - a state of no mind acceptance,
in which you just do whatever is necessary then, you might just do the
routine spike you've always practised, but you may do something completely
different or unusual - because you felt like it, and for some strange reason,
that works perfectly."

Mr. Owl

[Outta Town]

You got it, Mr Owl. After years of playing, it becomes more instinctual to line up on the hole the blockers may leave, or to delay a block or go up early and deny a setters attempt at a dump. Swinging lefthanded at will now, confusing the blockers who line up on your right hand. A cut shot that falls one foot over the net, instead of the full swing with 2 blocks up.

Younger players want to swing as hard as they can all the time and call us old players. But we give them a very good game, and win.

Call it zen, luck or whatever you want. I call it experience.

[Air Diney]

Ya,

I believe the more you play the more you understand it. There was one time I played, that didn't have to do with "time" passing by, but time passing by on one particular day when I was playing. I normally play 3-5 games in a row when I am playing in a league, or a night of playing. But this time, I happened to be playing on the beach from about 10am to around 5 or 6 pm in the evening, much more than 3-5 games. The more I started playing that day, the more I felt I knew where I should be, and what was to happen next. It was almost like I was ahead of every move at every second. It was kinda a cool feeling, and I think it had a lot to do with the fact that I had been focusing on the game all day long.
I am also a pilates instructor, and have these moments a lot too. I guess that pilates follows along the same line as martial arts, yoga, etc. But, the more I learn, the more I practice, the more "intelligent" I feel about the whole concept. I think that is why we say the "wise old man". The more experience and practice you have, the more wise you become.

[mycena]

So, I am still having a difficult time how you would consider this spiritual. Even the first post doesn't sound like something spiritual to me. What everyone has described to me sounds more like conscious decisions. If you are a good player or even just have an interest in being a better player then you have to learn to adapt to new situations. Whether it be getting older, playing against stronger blockers, or whatever. Mostly what everyone has mentioned sounds to me like basic learning. And the more you play and learn how the game is played or can be played the quicker you are to pick up on the 'holes' in the other teams abilities. When I think of spiritual as like related to martial arts or whatever it's more emotional or getting into another state of consciousness. Personally, I have never had that on the volleyball court. Maybe that's what you were talking about and i just didn't pick up. I definitely think that you do have days though when things just click. But to me it's more like the synapsis are firing a bit better.

[Outta Town]

Okay maybe not "spiritual" as you like to think, but it's like getting into your own "Zone" like Keanu Reeves in The Matrix. No matter what others throw at you, it seems automatic to block, be in the right spot to dig, or stick out that arm for a great dig. You do not think about it, it just happens, and it seems easy. Not a lot of energy used, and smooth.

[Air Diney]

Ya,

I agree wih Outta town.....it's like suddenly you are in a zone. In a way I can call that spiritual. That one experience I had was kinda like "being one with the ball," no? It was like there I was, playing, and zoning other sounds out and totally focusing on where the ball was at all times. I felt like I was just being...no where else but there, seeing just the way the ball was coming towards me.

That is the only time I ever felt that way, though...usually it's like you say, mycena.....just more focused, playing better.

[strazzere]

Originally Posted by Outta Town

Okay maybe not "spiritual" as you like to think, but it's like getting into your own "Zone" like Keanu Reeves in The Matrix. No matter what others throw at you, it seems automatic to block, be in the right spot to dig, or stick out that arm for a great dig. You do not think about it, it just happens, and it seems easy. Not a lot of energy used, and smooth.

Completely agree... I think it's more instinct after time. I play beach with this old guy (real old guy) named Stu. He's probably in his 70s, but only looks about 50 or so. I only say he's an old guy cause his grand-kids come to watch, and thier just starting vball and are about 15ish.

He's an amazing resource and I always pick his brain. He makes fun of me and tried to make me hit as hard as I can, yet he still picks up everything. Blocks amazing on a mens net in the sand, and puts the ball where ever he wants, and I'm only seen him crush a ball onces. Everything is just about smarts with him.

I've tried mixing it up, and doing what I would never do, but he just seems to be there expecting the unexpected..

I've learned a lot from him, and i know the "zone" you guys speak of. It seems magical when you KNOW that someone is going to hit in a spot. Just last night someone tried crushing a ball 10 foot line, and I just had a feeling I knew were it would go. Only one blocker on him and I just dove and wa son the ground before he hit the ball, right into my hands.

God knows how I knew it would go there - cause it was just a reaction.. Sure felt great though!

[VBFOOL]

WOOT!

Mr. Owl, this was a great tread, I have to say you have added a lot of value and incite, now I know why you are called Mr. Owl.

The sport is truly on that becomes like your arm something you can not live without. In my opinion its all about the effect it has on your personality, we tend to not think while on the court, we see things more clearly when we are done playing and most of all true players we have nothing love for the sport and will play it until we die.