What is the worst habit a player could have on the court?

[volleyballstud]

Originally Posted by ImACarGirl

I agree with kicking the ball!! You should never, ever kick the ball. I broke three bones in my left wrist when someone tried to kick the ball I was pancaking... they kicked me instead! Your legs have much more power than your arms which makes them (and the balls that are sent flying) more dangerous. If you want to kick, go play soccer!

This, I can agree with. There is the issue with possibly kicking someone. It also depends on the person kicking the ball. I know not to take a full kick at the ball when in the middle of the court, especially if you still have 1 or 2 hits left in the rally on your side. I only kick the ball hard enough to pop the ball up high enough for someone else to get to it and still keep the rally alive. The only time I'll take a full kick at the ball is if I'm running away from the court and chasing down the ball. Like you said, a kick has more power and it takes more power to get the ball back towards the court when running away from it.

Just like net serves and rally scoring, kicking the ball is a part of the game you have to adjust to. Perhaps instead of scolding players that kick the ball, invest in a hacky sack and do that for a while in pre-game warm-ups. If anything, it may teach them to control their kicks... and at the same time, save your wrists.

[BHitterDPasser]

Originally Posted by volleyballstud

This, I can agree with. There is the issue with possibly kicking someone. It also depends on the person kicking the ball. I know not to take a full kick at the ball when in the middle of the court, especially if you still have ...

There's a difference between using your feet in a controlled manner and just throwing a leg out there. Volleyball is not supposed to be a contact sport and whether you are swinging at a ball, running across the court, you shouldn't be assaulting your teammates.

(Yeah, I know NERT. I'm guilty of accosting you at least once.)

[OmniSpiker]

Originally Posted by MISSVB2U

I enjoy your response. It shows you rather have someone believe in themselves rather than give up. I would play with you anyday.

Hey, thanks.

That's where positive mental attitude can sometimes change the game's momentum. Players/teams that don't seem to have near equal skills can still win over their opponents. It's all about short player not giving up against taller opponents. Holding the defense while you're being pounded down constantly. Keep playing eventhough your opponents outscored you over ten point lead.

[OmniSpiker]

About kicking the ball and being uncontrolled manner...

Plenty of those kind of people out there.

~Blocker's who flails into the net and under/over into the hitter knocking them down like little bowling pins.
~Teammate blocker who flails their arms into you, or elbows you on the way down, or even land on you.
~Spikers who runs quicks and land their spike on you, the setter. A black eye, bloody nose from your own teammate says that the spiker can hit hard.

Even after being taken out,...,we come back - weeks, months later and play again... volleyball fanatics...

[volleyballstud]

Originally Posted by OmniSpiker

About kicking the ball and being uncontrolled manner...

Plenty of those kind of people out there.

~Blocker's who flails into the net and under/over into the hitter knocking them down like little bowling pins.
~Teammate blocker who flails their arms into you, or elbows you on the way down, or even land on you.
~Spikers who runs quicks and land their spike on you, the setter. A black eye, bloody nose from your own teammate says that the spiker can hit hard.

Even after being taken out,...,we come back - weeks, months later and play again... volleyball fanatics...

I think it's just a matter of the level of play. The higher the skill level, the less frequent those kind of things happen.

[OmniSpiker]

True, but it's also good sportmanship. The uncontrolled manner is often a result of the competitive nature, where lack of grace, is usually replaced by brute force. It's not always the frequency because that can be something that's consistent. It's when it comes out of nowhere and especially from a player who's experienced enough to know the difference.

[EGOLDEN]

Originally Posted by Amy Fus

OK, I am gonna have to sound like a volleyball snob and respond to the last post......

I am a setter and I play competitively becuase I like to win. As a setter, you have to set your hitters that will put the ball away, while using other hitters as decoys, etc. If I have a girl or guy that gets a point EVERY time, she/he will get more of the sets than someone who lobs it over for an easy free ball (which they set up for their kill) or someone who hits it into the block everytime.

As a hitter, I know I don;t get as much of the sets as the girls or guys who are over 6 ft tall and slams the ball straight down. And I accept that becuase I want my team to win. I actually get mad at the setter for setting me when we are down points and the other hitters are putting balls away. Better yet, i tend to switch positions with the setter so I stay as libero in back row while the setter stays up front (seeing that I dont black on a mens net anyways!)

That's just my opinion, sorry for sounding like a snob! But I have to defend the setters!

Not a snob at all.....

My theory is is you're playing competitvely, play to win. you can't make everyone happy by catering to their whims on how many sets they should receive.
If winning a game means i get 3 less sets, then so be it; I'd rather win.

if you are playing recreationally, especially in a 'winner stays' format, again play to win. i'd rather stay on the court 4 games in a row and receive fewer sets, than to get set a lot and possibly lose. Make the most of your opportunities and you will see an increase in sets.
If you are playing purely recreationally in an open gym format where there are as many courts as teams, i think people should be more apt to spread the ball around. After all, you can't "win" open gym.