What are the best habits a player could have on the court?

VBLIStaff · 12:52 PM

It's time for another question: What are the best habits a player could have on the court?

The best posts will receive a VBLI Game Day Shirt.

Congratulations to EGOLDEN and iwillvolley for being the best posts in the Where Are You Playing This Fall? thread.

-VBLIStaff

mfigs · **Best Habits -** 09-10-2007, 01:25 PM

I have two big ones that I have found very important to success in volleyball at any level.

1. If you make a mistake, forget about it very quickly, move on and do not let it affect you for the rest of the game or match, otherwise it could be your undoing.

2. Always play like it is game point for the other team, and your back is to the wall, you will be amazed at some of the plays you can make when you are trying your hardest on ever single play, besides, you never know when that one point you took off can come back to haunt you.

Case in point, often the best defenders, and not people who have superior skills, are people who have the will power and put in the extra effort to get to the ball or make a play, all the time.

Thanks
Fig

GC63091 · **Best Habits -** 09-10-2007, 01:52 PM

I am going to go with "Effort". We are all not blessed with the skill of Karch Kiraly but one thing we can do is try 100%. If a player puts in solid effort and shows that he/she is giving it "their all", that's all you can ask. I will take the player who hustles for errant passes, digs, shots etc. any day over the egotistical player who whines because they don't get the ball enough. Volleyball skill at every level is easily differentiated but effort is not.

striker22 · 09-10-2007, 02:03 PM

I'm going to have to say the best habit you can have on the court is playing with a beer in your hand. Cause not only does it keep you refreshed and cool, but it also says to everyone " Hey look at me i can beat you with only one hand"

No, but seriously i think the best habit you can have is keeping your mouth shut when someone makes a mistake. They know they messed up. they don't need to hear it from you, plus it's only going to infuriate them and possibly make them lose focus and mess up even more. Everyone makes mistakes i don't care how good you are

vbloftis

One of the best habits I have noticed is, playing on the balls of your feet and not flat footed. Whether you are playing beach, grass, or indoor the ability to react quickly to a ball is imperative. Unfortunately, playing flat footed does not allow you to react as quickly as on the balls of your feet. Where this comes to be the biggest challenge is when you are in your last game of the day and you are tired and your muscles ache. The ability to continue playing in a reactionary stance, will allow you to move towards the final win.

So, if you find yourself playing flat in a game, call a timeout if you can or simply identify the problem and attempt to correct it before the point difference becomes great.

karch4321 · **elevating the level of play -** 09-10-2007, 02:33 PM

Two the best traits you can display on the court are; communication - before the play starts and during the action and 'making the game easier' for your team mates by making a great pass, set, dig, etc.

EGOLDEN · 09-10-2007, 02:35 PM

I recently began to apply a term which I find very relevant. That is playing within ones self. By that I interpret it to mean a player who knows his abilities and limitations and plays within them to better serve his teammates and himself/herself as a player.

Which player would be more effective; a shorter player who can spot the ball well and hit around the block, or someone who thinks they they are so great that they hit straight at a double block assuming they can "power' the ball through the hands of the blockers, and ends up getting blocked most of the time?

I have witnessed the latter countless numbers of times, and have to admit; I wouldn't want that mentality on my team.

play4keeps · **Best Habit -** 09-10-2007, 02:38 PM

I would say that the best player may not be the tallest, or the strongest but the smartest. Know where you are on the court and where everyone else is. Know where everyone is on the OTHER TEAM'S court (setter up, double block, outside always hits cross) The smartest players are the ones with their head in the game.

Neena · **best habits- play position with love -** 09-10-2007, 03:36 PM

#1 know and PLAY POSITION-- volleyball is choregraphed. you know what everyone will do. there are no stupidly dropped balls. there are no shanked balls or unecessary injury from collision. Injuries can be serious. Everyone has a role and a position. If you leave your position at anytime for any reason
who do you know for sure is going to cover it? who's going to cover their position? this is very much a team sport and when your team works as a team and you work your whole team together that IS how the game is won.
Learn position from a clinic. If you have not been formally trained defer to anyone who has.

respect your teamates!-- if someone calls the ball lay off even you think it is your ball. you can always discuss the play later. no dropped balls, shanked balls, or injuries from collision. do you really want to hurt your teamate? that'
s a pretty dumb strategy. it's not worth it. is this for a million dollars? are you saving someone else's life? next time you will be the one hurt. then no volleyball for you! there are risks in any sport but if there is a maniac on your team injuries WILL happen. practice good sportsmanship.

play with spirit-- this while competitive is supposed to be fun. it will make others relax and elevate the level of everyone's play and good time. in order to achieve anything in sports or life first you have to be relaxed. If you are relaxed and happy you can achieve anything. love and respect all your teamates. you need them to win. ALWAYS show appreciation and congratulate good plays from everyone!

communicate-- it doesn't hurt to call balls even when they are yours. it is necessary when the ball lands between two positions. acknowledge all communication. everyone is an individual. maybe you are used to playing a certain way but it hinders or distracts your teamate. take everything into consideration for the strongest and most competitive team. help, do not hinder, your teamate.

volleyballstud · 09-10-2007, 03:38 PM

Communication is the key... just like karch mentioned. You can always substitute out a bad seed or weak link, but a team that constantly communicates with their team mates will go far...
"Nice Set"
"Hit cross"
"Two blockers"
"Down line"
"Mine"
"Right here"
"Tip, tip, tip"
You go to any ( non-impaired ) volleyball tournament and I guarantee you that most of the successful teams are also some of the loudest.