What To Do With My Hair When I'm Playing Volleyball?

Anyone who doesn't have long hair doesn't understand the frustration and aggravation that go hand in hand with trying to keep those sticky strands out of their face when they're out on the court. As fun as long hair is the rest of the time, when you're in the middle of a game and it's either falling in your face or sticking to the back of your neck (or any other body part it can reach) it feels more like a hassle than anything else.

The question is, what can you do about it?

There are plenty of options available! Multi-functional pre-wrap wraps around ponytails and braids very efficiently, keeping strands from escaping and finding a home where they're not really wanted. For those hard to control front and side hairs (you know, the short ones that just won't grow-no matter how hard you try?) simple snap barrettes (you know, the ones that remind you of the snap bracelets you used to have when you were little before they made it illegal to have them in school?), heavy duty hair gel and, if you're going to be out on the beach, baseball caps are a great solution.

Try to avoid the hair gel and hairspray if you're going to be outside though. Bugs love it, and nothing kills your concentration faster than a mosquito going in for the kill.

Ponytails, braids and messy buns are the preferred styles for play, since they hold in well (even when they're being bounced around) and they can be safely secured with those neat hair bands that don't have the metal clips on them, holding your hair tightly without having to worry about it splitting or being damaged along the way. And if you just can't take it anymore, cut it off. Short's the new black this spring when it comes to hair, letting you combine game time practicality with a short and sassy, stylish practicality that you're guaranteed to enjoy.

Come check out our hair accessories at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

USA Volleyball Already Setting Up for the Next Olympic Games

The 2012 London Olympics sounds like it's a long way away for most of us, but for the U.S. Men's National Team it's all too close-and they're making preparations already!

USA Volleyball announced on April 1st that Long Beach State Men's Head Coach Alan Knipe will be coaching the U.S. National Team for the 2009-2012 Olympic quadrennial, taking over for Coach Hugh McCutcheon who has moved on to coach the U.S. Women's team.

Knipe, who has coached at Long Beach State for the past nine years, will be taking an extended leave of absence to fill his coaching duties, following in the footsteps of his former players, David Lee and Scott Touzinsky (both of whom were part of the team during the men's victory in Beijing) and team captain Tom Hoff (who played at Long Beach during Knipe's assistant coaching days).

“Anyone who gets involved with volleyball sets their sights on being involved with the Olympic team,” Knipe is quoted as saying. “I don’t think that changes from your playing days to your coaching days.I would not have been able to take this position if I did not work at Long Beach State. They were great to work with in making this happen and giving me a leave of absence.”

“I am very excited to have Alan join the USA Volleyball staff and lead our men’s team toward London in 2012. This is a very big hire,” USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal said. “His experience and success with USAV’s national and high performance programs have been outstanding. I look for him to continue the momentum the U.S. men built in 2008.”
Knipe's first game at the oars of the U.S. Men's National Team will take place at the Pan American Cup on June 1-7 in Colima, Mexico.

Come check out our huge assortment of volleyball gear and novelties at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Training with the Nintendo Wii Fit

The concept of training with a video game system isn't a new one; after all, we've been working out with electronics for years! The Nintendo Wii is finally making it happen, however, with the release of the Wii Fit.

If you've already got a Wii Fit you know that as a personal training tool it's almost unbeatable (if you're working out in your living room rather than a $200 a month gym). It embraces all of the vital tools of training:

1) Flexibility. The Wii Fit's built in Yoga program is designed to improve both balance and flexibility, building muscle tone and your ability to dive for the ball without hurting yourself!

2) Strength Training. Leg lifts. Push ups. Lunges. And a host of other basic strength exercises that we tend to slack on unless we have a trainer looking over our shoulder making us do them! Let's face it, strength training isn't nearly as entertaining as smashing a ball over a net-or even jogging around town! The Wii Fit is a great way to slip strength training into your training regimen without getting bored too quickly to see any appreciable results.

3) Aerobics. Jog with your friends around the Wii Fit Island. Hop into a bouncy step aerobics program or work out your frustrations with rhythm boxing. The aerobic training you get at practice is important, but you can shake it up a little by taking advantage of the aerobics options in the Wii Fit.

4) Balance. How's your balance-can you stand on one leg? In fact, how good is your balance when you're standing on two? Walk a tightrope, roll on your own personal table tilt and guide a bubble down a raging river to perfect your posture and balance and improve your form out on the court.

The best part is the Wii Fit gives you points to judge your performance, so you can launch a (friendly) competition with your friends and teammates to see who can get the highest scores to keep training interesting and keep yourself motivated to do it!

Come check out our collection of (non-virtual) training tools at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

USA Volleyball Fires Up the Men's Junior National Team

It's hard to believe that summer's almost on us, but the evidence is everywhere-from the high schools and colleges enjoying their spring break to the overwhelming marketing for Easter and Mother's Day and, of course, the official selection of the 2009 U.S. Men's Junior National Team.

The Men's Junior National Team will be competing in the 2009 FIVB World Championship July 31-August 9 in Pune, India. While the official training schedule and other logistical plans haven't been announced yet (one can only assume that they're still working on hammering out the details) USA Volleyball has announced that the team will be coached by BYU Men's Volleyball Team coach Shawn Patchell, with Long Beach State Assistant Coach John Hawks coming in on the assist.

This isn't Patchell's first ride on the USA Volleyball merry-go-round. He was the one who coached the team to a bronze in El Salvador in 2008, coming in behind Cuba and Canada.

Here's the official line-up for this year's team (as found at http://www.usavolleyball.org/):

2009 USA Men's Junior National Training Team

Thomas Amberg (Middle Blocker/Opposite, El Cajon, Calif., UCLA, Southern California)Jim Baughman (MB, Valencia, Calif., Long Beach State, So Cal)Michael Bunting (Outside Hitter, Wyomissing, Pa., Loyola, Chicago, Keystone)Kyle Caldwell (Opp., Newport Beach, Calif., UCLA, So Cal)Tony Ciarelli (OH, Huntington Beach, Calif., USC, So Cal)Kasey Crider (Setter, Granite Bay, Calif., Pepperdine, Northern California)Austin D'Amore (MB, Lake Elsinore, Calif., UC Irvine, So Cal)Kyle Friend (OH Boca Raton, Fla., Long Beach State, Florida)Tyler Jaynes (MB, Granite Bay, Calif., Pepperdine, No Cal)Joseph Kauliakamoa (Setter, Las Vegas, Nev., BYU, No Cal)Rusty Lavaja (MB, St. Charles, Ill., BYU, Great Lakes)Brad Lawson (OH, Honolulu, Hawai’i, Stanford, Aloha)Steven Shandrick (MB, Lake Forest, Calif., USC, So Cal)Erik Shoji (Libero, Honolulu, Hawai’i, Stanford, Aloha)Mike Stefani (OH, Hamburg, N.Y., Orchard Park HS, Western Empire)Matthew Stork (Setter, Topanga, Calif., Cal State Northridge, So Cal)Joseph Sunder (Opp., Greensburg, Pa., Penn State, Keystone)Murphy Troy (OH, St. Louis, Mo., USC, Gateway)Nick Vogel (MB, El Cajon, Calif., UCLA, So Cal)

Alternates to 2009 USA MJNTT

Tri Bourne (OH, Honolulu, Hawai’i, USC, Aloha)Austin Ellis (MB, Corona del Mar, Calif., Stanford, So Cal)Jay Petty (Opp., Downers Grove, Ill., Lewis, Great Lakes)

Staff

Head Coach - Shawn Patchell, BYUAsst. Coach - John Hawks, Long Beach State

Come check out our huge collection of volleyball training gear for the 2009 season at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Great Volleyball Drills for Beginners

One of the most important aspect of volleyball is proper execution of the moves and techniques involved, and in order to master that you're going to have to master the skills right from the very beginning-form and all. That's why volleyball drills for beginners are among the most important drills and skills you're ever going to master. They are the foundation. What you learn when you're just getting started is going to be what paves the road to your success for the remainder of your career-so it's important to make sure you're getting it right!

The first skill you as a player are going to need to learn is how to properly pass the ball using a simple bump technique. We touched on this briefly when we were discussing the need for wrist protection, because proper bumping form is essential-not only to make sure that your hits are getting the distance and direction they need but also to ensure that you don't hurt yourself!

Most volleyball drills for beginners dealing with bumping focus on working with a partner to hit the ball back and forth. This gets you used to a) aiming the ball, and b) hitting the ball when it's coming at you from some other position than straight up in the air! Be sure you're hitting the ball with your forearms rather than your wrists or hands.

**You're probably going to have some red marks and/or bruising for a while, but that should pass quickly as your arms get used to the impact.**

Another important technique you're going to need to master is the serve. Your ability to serve is going to strongly impact your team's performance out on the court, so it's important to make sure you know what you're doing! Practice both types of serves regularly, either with a partner or facing a wall where you can pick your target and practice direction as well as power and speed.

Volleyball drills for beginners are the foundation that you're going to use to build the rest of your game, so don't fall into the trap of dismissing them as unimportant. Come check out our huge selection of training tools at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Why Buy a Volleyball Net System?

Have you ever tried to set up a volleyball net in your backyard, only to have it blow away as soon as Mother Nature let out a deep breath-or even worse, found yourself tangled up in one without any hope of finding your way back out? Volleyball nets may look harmless. They may look like just another volleyball accessory. But at their heart volleyball nets like to make trouble, and it may not be long before you're grinding your teeth into the dust trying to figure out how to make yours do what you want it to do.

The first step to successfully setting up your volleyball net is to make sure you're buying the right one. No, I'm not talking about the thing with the stringy squares. Believe it or not, even though the net itself is the most important part of the process for you as a player it's actually fairly insignificant when it comes to the setting up process. In this case, it's all about your side poles and what keeps your net up in the air.

To make things as simple as possible, I usually recommend purchasing a volleyball net system.

A volleyball net system works along the same basic principles as a computer. Yes, you can buy the different components, but unless you happen to be an expert there's virtually no way you're going to be able to guarantee you've got the right parts to do the job. One part that doesn't fit together just right, one piece that doesn't anchor into the ground properly, one side pole that can't be stabilized out on the floor, and the whole kit and caboodle will come crashing down on your head.
Come check out our collection of volleyball net systems at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/

Wrist Protection Out on the Court

Have you ever tried to get through a day using only one arm? It's not as easy as you'd think it would be! Your arms and, by extension, your elbows, wrists and hands, are important, and it's important that you take care of them when you're out on the court.

The number one cause of wrist injuries to volleyball players is poor technique. If you're hitting the ball with your wrists rather than your forearms you're going to have irritated red spots (which you'll have just about everywhere when you first start playing but which should go away after a couple of weeks) and bruises, and you're going to be setting yourself up for sprains, strains and fractures. Practice your bumping technique to ensure that you're hitting the ball with the long bones of your forearm rather than the delicate bones of your wrist.

For added protection (or if you've just had enough of walking around looking like someone painted your arms with blusher) you can consider wearing wrist guards or taping your wrists and the bottom part of your forearm with athletic tape (or prewrap-it pulls less when you take it off). Wrist guards lend extra support to the joint, ensuring that it doesn't get bent in ways it was never meant to go and minimizing that chances that it will be damaged when you go diving for the ball but can't quite get there fast enough.

Your hands and wrists are an essential part of your game, and let's face it-it's hard to get dressed in the morning when you're only working with half of your resources! Protect those resources to keep your game on top and your life as uncomplicated as possible.

Come check out our assortment of wrist protection options at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

2009 USA Volleyball Junior Beach Tour

It's that time again! USA Volleyball is kicking off its 2009 USA Volleyball Junior Beach Tour on May 2, 2009 in Gulfport, Mississippi, and it's open now to all players under the age of 21 who want to take part!

For those who aren't familiar with the USA Volleyball Junior Beach Tour, it's a series of Saturday events that crosses the United States from one coast to another. The tour begins in Mississippi and culminates in a final event on August 16, 2009 in Huntington Beach, CA.

There's no qualification necessary. Any 2 member, same gender team can register online through the USA Volleyball website to take part. Registration costs are $30 per person if you register online and $40 on site. Online registration closes at midnight the Thursday before the even to give the staff time to process the appropriate paperwork that always comes along with these things; however, players are welcome to come the morning of the event.

The events are open exclusively to USA Volleyball members; however, becoming a member is simple and can be accomplished through their website. The tour is designed for same gender beach volleyball teams, with individual matches determined by age. There is no rating associated with the Junior Beach Tour; players play strictly for fun, and have their choice regarding which events they want to take part in.

In the spirit of fun, there will be no "official" officials presiding over the individual games. Players officiate, and parents are welcome to come and watch in the role of parents, friends and "soft" coaches rather than officials. All in all, it's a great experience for young players. If you're interested you can check out the details at http://usavolleyball.org/event/event/1346#News.


Come see our huge collection of volleyball gear, uniforms, supplies and novelties at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

What Every Player Needs to Know About Jumper's Knee

Anyone who watches "Bones" regularly was thrilled to see our favorite sport highlighted on last week's episode! (Even if it was in a slightly twisted kind of way.) The show made an excellent point, however, that all volleyball players should be aware of. The young woman in question had sustained multiple injuries as a result of her time spent on the team. Injuries like jumper's knee are common when you hit the courts, and it's something that you as a player should be aware of-and take steps to prevent.

What is Jumper's Knee?

Jumper's Knee, also known as patellar tendonitis, involves the patellar tendon that joins the kneecap to your shin bone. This tendon is extremely important when you're out on the courts-it's the tendon that lets your quads actively straighten the knee, propelling you upward and putting you in position for that perfect spite. As an athlete you put this tendon under a lot of stress. That stress that can cause micro-tears and collagen degeneration.

Symptoms of Jumper's Knee present as pain at the bottom and front of the kneecap, aching/stiffness after practice and pain when you flex your quads. Honestly, it probably won't seem like a very big deal; however, ignoring it can lead to chronic pain, difficult treatments and, in some cases, surgical intervention.

What Can You Do About It?

The best defense is a good offense. Building your leg's strength and flexibility will help you avoid contracting Jumper's Knee in the first place-but do it gradually. Much like shin splints, Jumper's Knee is often the result of overconditioning. Rest regularly, and unless you're in peak shape don't exercise more than four times a week.

If you do begin to feel the niggling pain of Jumper's Knee, contact your physician immediately. At the beginning it can usually be treated with anti-inflammatories, ice massage and physical therapy, a knee sleeve and proper training. More severe cases may graduate to injection of steroids, long-term rest (i.e. at least a season off the court) and, potentially, corrective surgery.
Jumper's Knee isn't a pleasant condition, but proper prevention and management can ensure that it remains a glitch in your game rather than a complete show-stopper.

Come check out our extensive collection of training materials and equipment at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Volleyball Hall of Fame Welcomes New 2008 Inductees

The date of the new inductees has long passed, but when browsing the web for current events to put on this blog I realized that I had managed to neglect the induction of a new season's worth of MVPs into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the birthplace of volleyball itself.

The Volleyball Hall of Fame first opened its doors on June 6, 1987, a day that was celebrated by a two day tournament following the induction of inventor William G. Morgan posthumously. Douglas Beal, the coach of the 1984 U.S. Men's Olympic Team, was the first keynote speaker to welcome the new inductee.

In October of 2008 the hall welcomed six new international greats into the hall, including beach player Randy Stoklos, five time Olympian Andrea Giani, former Turkish team captain and national coach Sinan Erdem, Japanese captain Masae Kasai Nakamura, world record holder and Russian captain Yuri Poyarkov and Soviet champion Vladimir Savvine.

Not all of these players lived to see their induction day. Vladimir Savvien passed away in 1975. His induction was acknowledged by Viktor Sviridov, head of the Russian Volleyball Federation Secretariat Department.

"This year's six-member Volleyball Hall of Fame induction class is a remarkable, diverse group of individuals that has impacted our sport in so many parts of the world," said Doug Beal, co-chair of the Volleyball Hall of Fame Selection Committee and chief executive officer of USA Volleyball. "This induction class, on par with its preceding inductees, truly shows the global reach of the Volleyball Hall of Fame and its significance as an institution capturing the international history and honors of this great sport."

The Hall of Fame will be inducting the next group of players to make history on October 29, 2009.

Information and quotes found at the Volleyball Hall of Fame website at www.volleyhall.org.

Don't Let Spring Fever Get the Best of You: Add Strength Training Onto Your Spring Training Program

It's just about that time of year again-the snow's melting off the trees (in some parts of the country), the sun's starting to peek out from behind the clouds, and the birds are starting to make the first legs of their long trip north. With all that life in bloom it's hard to resist the urge to spend your days luxuriating in the crisp newness of spring. But don't let your need to be out in the great outdoors bring your strength training program to a grinding halt.

It happens to all of us. We spend the dark, gloomy winter in the gym, spinning on artificial treadmills and pumping iron. When spring gets here we just want to be out, and as a result we often find ourselves neglecting the strength training portion of our training programs. Walking, biking, hiking and running are so much more appealing in warm weather than sitting around in a gym breathing recycled air, and before you know it your well rounded strength and cardio program is leaning heavily on the cardio and not so heavily on the strength.

Because cardio training isn't going to get the ball over the net any harder, it's important that you not let spring fever get the best of you and annihilate the benefits you worked so hard to build. Toss in a day or two in the gym, and add weights or other strength training devices to your cardio workout. No reason to sacrifice the sun just for the sake of building up those arm muscles! The important thing to remember is that strength training is important. Don't let yourself be lured away by the appeal of a pretty day.

Come check out our collection of training devices and equipment at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

How to Buy Volleyball Knee Pads

When you're out on the beach involved in a round of beach volleyball the sand acts as its own cushioning, but it's a different story altogether when you hit the courts. As pro beach volleyball player Rob Heidger said, "If you plan on playing indoors rather than at the beach, knee pads are a good piece of equipment. Plus, you can always wear them while in-line skating on the boardwalk!"

Let's hear it for versatile equipment.

When you're out on the court your knees are easily the most vulnerable part of your body, which is why a good pair of knee pads is essential. It doesn't matter how much you weigh, slamming down on an unforgiving court floor on your knees day after day isn't healthy-and sooner or later, someone's going to get hurt. A good pair of knee pads acts as a pad and a brace all rolled into one, making it the perfect finishing touch for safe volleyball.

There are tons of choices out there when it comes to choosing volleyball knee pads, so it's going to be up to you to find not only what type of kneepads fit best, but also which ones you prefer. There are two primary types of knee pads: regular foam and a foam/gel combination for extra protection. You want to choose a pair of contoured pads designed not only to protect but also to move with your knees and legs, avoiding excessive bulk that will slow you down while at the same time ensuring that your patellas (knee caps) are adequately protected.

A lightweight fabric that breathes is your best option, guaranteeing that your knee pads won't chafe unbearably the minute things start heating up out on the court-and you can often find a pair in your team's colors at no additional cost!

The most important factor of choosing volleyball knee pads is choosing a pair that will fit you properly. Knee pads are available in both regular and junior sizes (for teens and petite players) but there's never really a "one size fits all" when it comes to volleyball equipment. Be sure to test your pads out carefully in realistic game situations before stepping out onto the court. It's better to have to return a pair of pads that you bought over the Internet or turn away from a pair you tried on in the store than to go out on the court in pads that don't provide adequate protection or restrict your movement.

Come check out our collection of top of the line volleyball knee pads at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

The Value of Volleyball Coaching Clinics

There are thousands of clinics held around the world every year to help volleyball players develop their skills and teams to establish stronger communications on the court. These clinics are an invaluable resource when it comes to developing strong player skills, and their partner clinics are an equally invaluable resource for coaches.

Coaches clinics teach coaches not only how to teach volleyball skills (any decent player with an intricate understanding of the
mechanics of motion can do that) but also how to interact with their team, how to deal with internal team conflict and how to build teamwork among their players. Because most coach's primary training programs focus on teaching skills to players and getting the best results out of their team in a very short amount of time there are certain invaluable skills that separate adequate coaches from inspirational ones.

Those kinds of skills often develop over time but with the assistance of experienced coaches can be prompted along. Professional coaching clinics are headed by present and past coaches with years of experience who personally guide along tomorrow's leaders. That means that whether you're coaching the women's national team or helping a group of young men break in their first set of high school volleyball sneakers, these clinics have something of value that will help you guide your players to realize their own potential and help take your team farther than it's ever been.

Coaching is a difficult job, requiring not only amazing amounts of skill and diplomacy but also an intricate understanding of the human mind and body and the psychology behind the reasons we do the things that we do-particularly if you happen to be brave enough to attempt to coach a team of teenage girls! While a coach's clinic might not offer you everything you need to learn to become coach of the year, it provides an excellent starting point for a very promising career.

Coach Mark Rosen, Michigan Wolverines

Come check out our collection of coaching tools and resources at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

What To Do When You've Got Volleyball Burnout

In my last blog I talked about ways to avoid competitive burnout; however, I didn't realize until after the fact that there were very few suggestions in there for players who are already suffering from burnout and hanging on by their fingernails. It's important to understand that burnout isn't "all in your head", and it's not something that's going to go away if you ignore it. Competitive volleyball, particularly if you play year round, can take a tremendous physical and mental toll on your body. It's not all that different from CEOs of Fortune 500 corporations that suffer from burnout-you're mentally and physically exhausted, and that takes a toll on both your body and your performance.

The first thing to do is consider the reasons behind your burnout. Are you spending so much time on the courts that you don't have time to do anything else? It might be time to consider cutting back on your training schedule and/or taking a season off to rest up and catch up on the rest of your life. It's also important to make sure you're getting enough sleep. If you're dashing from work or classes to practice, then staying up until midnight cleaning or doing homework, you're going to burnout quickly. It's important to find a balance.

Take a look at your diet and training schedule. Are you eating for maximum nutrition or just grabbing what's convenient because it happens to be available? Make sure you're drinking plenty of water and eating vegetables and lean meats rather than cheeseburgers and french fries. Also, make sure practice isn't the only exercise you get in a day. Simple things, such as a walk (or a jog) around the block, or a few hours spent on a bicycle, will make you feel less stressed-and because you're still working your muscles you're going to be a lot less tired after training!

If personal problems are taking the joy out of your game, deal with them as soon as possible. If you have a problem with a member of your team, talk to your coach. Nothing should be allowed to rob you of the joy of playing, and if you're burning out it's important that you nip it in the bud so you can get back to the love of the game.

Come check out our huge supply of training materials and volleyball novelties at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Easy Ways to Avoid Volleyball Burnout

Do you know what the number one code among most professionals is? Don't ever make your passion your job. Far too often men and women try to transform their passion into an income making venture only to find out that when they're punching deadlines and counting pennies the activity they used to enjoy is suddenly nothing more than-well, a job!

Competitive volleyball can begin to feel that way, particularly if you're counting on launching a professional career (or hoping for a scholarship). It's easy to spend so much time perfecting your volleyball techniques and analyzing your competitions' moves that you forget why you started playing volleyball in the first place-the pure, simple love of the game. Whatever else it may be-passion, obsession, dream, ambition-volleyball is a game. And what is a game when it isn't any fun? It's work.

The question is, how can you avoid volleyball burnout? First and foremost, don't let volleyball devour your life. Spend time with friends. Go to the movies on Friday night rather than working out, and work out with friends whenever possible. Have hobbies to help fill your time so you don't find yourself devoting every minute of every day to your game. Even with a rigid training schedule it's possible to find a night out, and that's something you should take advantage of as often as possible.

Remember to vary your training, and just get silly out on the court every once in a while! One day, rather than training in the gym, grab your teammates and spend a day out on the beach. Playing in the sand builds up a new set of muscles, and you'll have a blast chasing the ball out into the water! If there's no beach available, move the party into the backyard and invite your friends and family to play. No, it isn't going to be as intense, and you're going to have to bear witness to some frustrating (and often embarrassing!) mistakes, but it's going to be fun.

And if you really want to jazz the game up a little, try playing with something other than a volleyball! (Beach balls and children's outdoor balls are the first things that come to mind, but various fruits have been tried too! Be creative!)

Taking time away from your intense training and practice schedule to just kick back, relax and remember that you're a person first and a volleyball player second is the best way to avoid volleyball burnout.

Come check out our collection of fun, funky volleyball gear at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Taking Your Personality Out Onto the Court with Funkadelic Sports Wear

I spend a lot of time talking about taking your personality out on the court, both through your uniforms and practice clothes and through your playing style. There's a reason for that! The key to a successful volleyball game is to enjoy yourself, and you can't possibly be out there having fun if you're too busy trying to be a carbon copy clone of someone you're not (and try saying that five times fast!).

Do you know what happens when you lose your love of the sport because you're out there playing with too much skill and too little heart? You burn out. Suddenly, you don't even want to look at a volleyball-ever. You lose your passion for the game that used to be your life because it stopped being a game and started being work.

The rest of the volleyball industry is finally catching on to the fact that volleyball needs to be done before it can be competition, which is why if you've taken a look at the latest lines of volleyball wear from the hottest names in athletic clothing lately you've probably been pleasantly surprised. They're funkadelic! Spandex, fluorescent colors and wild designs are dominating the world of fitness fashion. Flames, peace signs, rainbows and flowers cover everything from shorts and socks to jerseys and hair bands.

The moral of our story? The days of black and white volleyball gear are long gone, and they've been replaced with a hot new fashion trend that's taking the world by storm-volleyball with an attitude. Volleyball with passion. Personality both on and off the courts and the flares of what really makes volleyball memorable-lots and lots of fun!

Come check out our selection of top of the line volleyball gear in fun and funky designs at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

There's a New Volleyball in Town

When it comes to the big, wide, wonderful world of volleyballs there are a lot of players on the market, but there are a few that have made a name for themselves as the "go to" brand of champions. Tachikara, for example. You knew it was only a matter of time before Tachikara found itself facing some serious competition, however, and that competition comes in the form of Molten's new line of competition balls.

Currently Molten has four types of volleyballs out on the market:

1) The Elite Competition Ball. This ball is intended primarily for indoor use, is actually made in Japan, and is marketed as the official ball of the NCAA Women's Volleyball Championships. Variations on this ball also include the official ball of the Men's National Collegiate Championships and the design and style used most by USA volleyball.

2) Competition Balls. The company offers a line of ten indoor and outdoor competition balls in various styles and colors. My favorite? The simple, oversized 31" yellow ball designed specifically with players age 8 and under in mind.

3) Camp Recreation Balls. Want to put yourself in the pros' shoes? Do it with these authentically imitated camp balls patterned after the ones used by USA Volleyball and the NCAA. These can also be custom designed with your team and logo in mind.

4) Novelty Balls. While most of these are designed to sit on your desk and not do a whole lot else, there's a very trendy gold paneled ball that makes a great gift for coaches, MVPs and anyone else for whom chocolates and flowers just won't do.


Molten might be the new name on the scene, but they're not the only ones making high quality game balls. Come check out our collection of volleyballs at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Volleyball TV (and why the television's not as bad as your mother always told you)

If you're a volleyball lover you're going to love this new site that's out on the web right now. If you get a chance, take the time to check out http://www.volleyballbuzz.com/. This is volleyball tv, ladies and gentlemen, complete with the official and unofficial commentary of the players' game skills. Now, this isn't something my company is putting on, just something else I stumbled across in my daily browsings. Right now we've got Kerry and Misty at the net, with the speaker giving a walk-through of each of their moves for listeners.

When they're living out in the wild young animals learn the skills they need to survive from their parents by imitating them, step by step. The best way for young volleyball players to learn the skills they need to succeed is by imitating professionals like Kerry Walsh and Misty May, and the play by play commentary doled out at volleyball tv and on ESPN during the competitive season gives players the chance not only to learn how to do things right but also the ability to recognize when they themselves are doing something wrong.

Where are you learning your volleyball skills? Are you studying the moves of the professionals and trying to imitate their style, or are you just grabbing a ball and hoping to go out there and do your best? The best way to learn is by example, so what are you waiting for? Kick on some ESPN, grab your low fat popcorn and sit back. You'll be amazed at how much you can learn.

Come check out our huge selection of volleyball tips and training tools at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

The 411 on Mizuno Spandex

It never fails to amaze me how sometimes things just fall into place. For example, the fact that just last week we were discussing spandex and just this evening I stumbled on Mizuno's…spandex highlight, for lack of a better word, on their website. Mizuno offers three of the hottest types of spandex volleyball shorts currently on the market, and if you check out their sit you'll find a quick description of the benefits of their three spandex designs.

As we mentioned earlier, spandex makes great volleyball apparel because it allows the player complete freedom of movement without any uncomfortable distraction. Mizuno offers three different designs in their spandex selection:

1) The MVP II. This comfy short is for those who've never gotten used to the feel of low-riders, and it fits just below your natural waist. These shorts have a four inch inseam-long enough for modesty, short enough for convenience.

2) Vortex. This is Mizuno's latest design, and it blends the classic comfort of the MVP with the rapid trend in low riding shorts on the market today. These shorts also have a four inch inseam.

3) Low Rider. The name says it all! With a low riding waist and a 2 ¾ inch inseam, these snappy little shorts are the Daisy Dukes of the spandex world. Comfortable and modest while still being fashionable, these are easily Mizuno's hottest sellers.

Spandex is a great choice for when you're deep in the action out on the court, and even I have to admit that it's hard to go wrong with Mizuno. Any one of these fits should suit your needs, sit comfortably under your team jersey or practice shirt and afford you all the flexibility and comfort you need to play your best.

Check out all our great spandex at our store: http://www.volleyballproshop.com/

Trying Out for the U.S. Women's National Team

Coming off of their recent silver medal in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the U.S. Women's National Indoor Volleyball Team gears up for another spectacular season-starting with try-outs on February 20-22. As per the teams official website, over 64 colleges were represented in the competition for the team's 33 open roster spots. "USA women's volleyball has such depth and talent, it is wonderful to see this many outstanding young athletes attending this National Team tryout," said head coach Hugh McCutcheon. "I believe playing for the National Team is the highest achievement possible for our indoor players. In that regard, our goal is to create the best environment for these players to train and compete at the international level."

So what does it take to be able to play for the U.S. Women's National Team? Or any national team, for that matter? (Guys, I'm not trying to leave you out here!) When most of these players first stepped out onto the court as high schoolers their biggest concern probably wasn't how they were going to rise to national stardom. For many volleyball was still a new experience, something fun to do with their friends.

As they aged, so did their ambition. College ball is tough, and there's a lot of competition for spots on the team. You don't play at the college level unless you've got what it takes to keep up with some of the best players in the world. At that point you have to make a choice-is volleyball just a hobby, or do you have what it takes to go all the way?

Is there a point to this? Absolutely! This past week young women from 64 colleges across the country gathered together to make their dreams come true, knowing that most of them would be walking away at the end of their three day try out. They took the chance anyway. You don't have to be a big name on the volleyball circuit to play national ball. You just have to be willing to try.

(Photo taken by Bill Kaufman. Located at http://usavolleyball.org/news/article/10001)

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Dancing on the Volleyball Court

Did you ever take a second to think about how many dance steps professional athletes use when they're out on the courts? The dips, twists, spins and steps that athletes use to work their way around the court without taking their eyes off the ball are necessary skills for success on the court, but off the court most of them could star in a Broadway musical! The object lesson here? Grace and coordination, as much as skill and speed, are the keys to success when you're sending a ball flying across a net at high impact speeds.

Sure, you're probably laughing right now. But did you know that professional football players often learn basic ballet moves? And that ballet and dance are required for high level gymnastics competitors along with their regular training-both men and women? There's a lesson here. You don't have to be able to boogie on the dance floor to boogie on the court, but a little coordination and rhythm will go a long way toward giving your playing performance the extra boost it needs to be extraordinary rather than ordinary.

To pinpoint a specific example, take a look at your basic perimeter defense. Regardless of what type of game you're playing, there is one key rule that every player has to follow-keep your eye on the ball. It's impossible to do that if you have to look where you're going. That's why the cross step, also known as a partial grapevine, is an essential part of your perimeter defense. It affords you an almost unlimited range of motion without ever having to take your eyes off your opponent or the ball.

Come check out our huge supply of volleyball equipment at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Guidelines to Buying a Practice Volleyball

I like to spend a little bit of time each week flipping around the question and answer forums on the web to see what issues are on the minds of today's volleyball players, and I found one the other day that surprised me. A young woman new to the game was asking about the best brand of volleyball to buy to guarantee the best training experience possible.

Now, I'm not saying it's not a valid question, because it is. The quality of your equipment is going to affect the quality of your practice and, by default, the quality of your game, so it's an important issue to take into consideration. I was just surprised to hear a new player asking about it. Most players who are new to the game assume that one volleyball is the same as another, and that as long as they can hit it over the net and it's not falling to pieces there's nothing else they need to know.

A good volleyball has two basic characteristics:

1) It's regulation sized. Most sports shops sell regulation sized balls, and any carrier that specializes in volleyball equipment is probably only going to stock competition balls, but if you walk down to your neighborhood Wal-Mart all bets are off. The official size of a volleyball is 25.6 and 26.4 inches in circumference and weighs between 9.1 and 9.8 ounces. If your volleyball doesn't fall in this range your ball control could be seriously affected when you hit the court.


2) It's in good shape. Many people prefer to get second hand balls from friends and neighbors for practice when they're first starting out rather than spending the money to purchase a new one; however, volleyballs that are in poor shape, are not properly inflated and are not considered suitable for competition aren't going to provide a competitive practice experience. Again, your ball control is going to suffer when you get out on the court.

Mikasa and Tachikara make most of the balls used in professional games, so they make great practice balls for novice players.

Come check out our collection of regulation balls at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Practice with Pizzazz

Over the past couple of months I've written a couple of times about the fun, funky and (in some cases) psychedelic volleyball gear that's out there, but it wasn't until I was scouting around online the other night that I realized how far the trend to leave boring solids behind and add some personality and pizzazz to their game. Along with the expected trends in psychedelic spandex, the trend to be something other than ordinary has branched out to cover just about every branch of volleyball.

Gem Sports is now making a pair of zebra print volleyball shorts. Baden makes a tie dyed volleyball. Mizuno is adding lightening streaks to their official game balls. Red Lion and Asics are making funky patterned volleyball socks that are fun to wear on the court. Compression shorts are now available in a huge variety of colors and patterns, including camouflage, floral prints, giraffe prints, faux denim and (my personal favorite) tie dye with a printed peace pattern.

You would think that the desire to be funky would stop with socks and shorts, but some teams are actually carrying that trend over to their team jerseys, opting to leave behind traditional blue, red, white and black in favor of hot pinks and greens, tie dye and fantastic polka dots. It seems that today, taking your personality out on the court doesn't just mean thinking of new ways to slam the ball down your opponents' throats. It also means looking like someone who likes to have fun!

Come check out our selection of fun, funky volleyball gear at www.volleyballproshop.com.

Beach Volleyball vs. Courtside: How Much Equipment Do You Need?

If you've ever sat and watched a beach volleyball game and an indoor volleyball competition you've undoubtedly noted a few differences-starting with the uniforms and going from there! The differences between beach volleyball and indoor volleyball are vast and don't just center around whether you have to wear spandex or a bikini to play. They encompass different playing styles (which I'll probably get into at some point), different skills and (dunh dunh daa!) different equipment.

Chances are, before you start shopping around for equipment you already know whether you're going to be a beach player or an indoor competitor. (No insult to beach competition intended, ladies and gentlemen-I just didn't want to repeat myself by saying "competitor" over and over. We all know every time that ball's in sight the competition is fierce. It doesn't matter whether you're playing by the surf or a set of gymnasium bleachers.) Most people develop a preference fairly quickly, which makes your job easy when it's time to hit the stores.

Believe it or not, you may actually end up buying more equipment to play beach ball than to play inside. Why? Because when you train all year round you get the chance to enjoy the best of both worlds. You're going to need the usual knee pads, practice gear, net access and ball that indoor competitors wear as well as comfortable outdoor gear (usually swimwear style), a sunscreen with a high SPF and a hat or athletic sunglasses to keep the glare out of your eyes while you're on the sand.

The bottom line? There really isn't a difference between the equipment you need to play indoor or outdoor ball. Why not enjoy them both?

To check out our collection of indoor and outdoor gear, visit http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

The Benefits of Spandex on the Court

The eighties left many of us with a nasty taste in our mouths when it comes to spandex, but when you're talking about sportswear there are many, many benefits to wearing this clingy material. Not only does it show off those well toned muscles, it also provides you with more freedom, flexibility and unhindered movement than the average gym short.

Ordinary cotton gym shorts make nice practice apparel because they're loose and comfortable; however, when you need the flexibility to move quickly and with a greater range of movement the fabric's own natural form actually slows you down. It doesn't matter how comfortable your gym shorts are, there is only so far they're going to stretch. Spandex stretches and moves with your body, and unless you're wearing spandex shorts that are two sizes too small (which is a story for another day) your shorts are going to move with your legs wherever they want to go.

Spandex also has the added benefit of holding in heat while at the same time allowing your legs to breathe, which is why so many runners love spandex and spandex/lycra blends for running in the wintertime. Spandex shorts and "sweat"pants will keep your legs warm during chilly practices (especially if you're a beach player) without halting your range of movement, making them the perfect choice for a practice where perfection is the only acceptable goal.

Not all spandex has to be the hot pink, striped abominations we loved to hate twenty years ago! (Although if you're interested there are some fun, funkadelic designs out there that really add personality to your practice clothes!) Today's athletic spandex is available in a wide variety of colors designed to conform to your uniform and your personal taste, making spandex the ideal choice for serious athletes.



Come check out our collection of spandex at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

The Many Uses of Pre-Wrap

If you've ever had the fun of trying to pick your hair out of a hair tie when it's managed to knot itself around it or had to peel sports tape off of your skin (and half of your hair with it!) you're going to love this; someone has finally come up with a non-stick product that's meant to go underneath all these things and makes putting up hair, taping up body parts, protecting your skin from the freeze of an ice pack (or holding them in place) and just about anything you have to do that involves bringing products in direct contact with your skin.

It's called pre-wrap.

Aside from its huge collection of really cool colors, there are plenty of reasons to love pre-wrap. Pre-wrap doesn't get stuck in hair, and it doesn't stick to hair on your body either. It's the perfect choice to wrap hair with before putting it up in a ponytail or to wrap weak joints with before applying tape and/or braces. It's also a great choice for things like breaking in new shoes (can you say "blister proof"?), putting underneath bandages so the clips and tags don't dig into your skin and for preventing sensitive skin from chafing.

All in all, pre-wrap is your skin's best friend on and off the court when it comes to protecting skin and hair from irritants that would scratch, pinch, rub, freeze or pull until you couldn't stand it anymore…and since you have a virtually limitless number of options when it comes to choosing the color of your pre-wrap you can be fashion conscious and health conscious at the same time!

Check out our selection of pre-wrap in a rainbow of colors at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Settling Conflicts on Your Volleyball Team

"Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." - Andrew Carnegie

It's inconceivable that a group of people who spends as much time working together toward a common goal as a volleyball team does would get along all the time, but conflict among the members of your team not only destroys teamwork, it sets the stage for conflict out on the court. The ability of coaches, captains and teammates to work together to effectively solve conflicts before they have the opportunity to erode the quality of a team is vitally important.

Effective teamwork requires the input and effort of every member of a team, not just a select few; therefore, the most effective way to manage conflicts is head them off before they evolve. Involve the entire team in major team decisions, offering them the chance to participate when possible and offer their input and suggestions for making it work when it's not. We all know that sometimes decisions come down from on high and no one has a choice in the matter, but by offering your team the opportunity to feel as though they are helping to shape the form of those changes you're setting the stage open communication and, consequently, minimized conflict.

Encourage your team to keep their personal lives off the court, and address the issue quickly when personal problems pop up. I've noticed over the years that it's personal issues between individual players that often rips a team apart, because members end up either choosing sides or stepping away from the conflict in an effort to "stay out of it". Coaches should immediately step in to provide mediation and help players keep their minds on the game when they are on the court, and players should bring the problem to the coach's attention as soon as it begins to cause friction during play time.

Open communication and addressing problems before they have the opportunity to fester is the most effective way to eliminate conflict between members of a volleyball team and set the stage for success out on the court.

Come see our collection of today's best coaching tools and equipment at www.volleyballproshop.com.

Put the Punch in Your Volleyball Top Spin Serve

You probably already know this, but I'm going to say it because it bears repeating-as many times as possible! If you've got a power server on your side you've got one of the most vital ingredients you need to walk away from that volleyball court a winner. The server influences the outcome of the game with every move they make. A single strong volleyball serve can annihilate the competition before they ever have the chance to give you a run for your money.

How do you put that maximum impact into your volleyball serve? Everyone has a style that works for them, and it's going to be up to you to discover ways to influence your preferred style of serve. That said, there are some basics to cleaning up on the court. If you're electing to do a basic top-spin serve, gather momentum by first stepping forward with the right foot, then the left. When your left foot hits the ground the ball should be directly over your head and your left arm extended to square off your shoulders. When it impacts the ball your hand should be open with fingers slightly extended, and in order to get a good top spin your wrist should pull forward and down.

Most importantly, keep your eyes on the ball! Volleyball is just like baseball in that respect-if you take your eyes off the ball, even for a moment, you're setting yourself up for failure. Yes, you'll probably still be able to get the ball over the net, but it's not going to have the impetus it needs to really make a difference.

Remember, your serve is one of the most valuable ingredients in your game-especially if you're playing with a partner rather than a team. Get enough punch behind your serve and you're setting your opponent up for defeat from the very beginning. Not enough, however, and you've already lost your advantage.

Come check out our huge collection of training resources at www.volleyballproshop.com.

Don't Forget Our Paralympic Teams

I was sitting at my computer struggling with a bout of insomnia and surfing through the daily news when I came across an article at the USA volleyball official website that reminded me of a corner of volleyball that we don't talk about here very often. In fact, many people don't even know it exists. Sitting volleyball has earned a distinguished place in the Special Olympics, and the U.S. National Teams competed proudly at the 2008 Paralympic Games without enjoying most of the media coverage given to their Olympic counterparts.

I'd like to take a second today to commend the bravery and determination of the men and women of sitting volleyball teams around the world. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the sport, sitting volleyball, the game is exactly what it sounds like-volleyball competition played sitting down. Designed for locomotor-disabled individuals, the game is played on a smaller court with an 0.8 meter wide net set approximately one meter off the court.

Players are required to have one buttock or an extension of their torso on the floor when hitting or attacking the ball. Although designed for those individuals whose physical disabilities prevent them from standing competition, most club teams include non-disabled individuals who enjoy the variety and the fun atmosphere of the game.

The U.S. Women's Sitting Volleyball team won a Paralympic silver in Beijing, defeating the defending team from the Netherlands before falling to top ranked China. USA volleyball has officially announced that the U.S. Women's Sitting Volleyball Team has been named the Paralympic Team of the Year for 2008.

The men and women of the national and club sitting volleyball teams show great determination and fortitude when they're out on the court, leaving behind their disabilities to become something I think we can all relate to-die hard volleyball players. Let's remember them the next we're out on the court feeling as though we're too tired to go on and let their shining example be the guideline by which we measure ourselves.

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The 411 on Volleyball Communication

It happens over, and over, and over again-the ball hits the court as two players stand there staring at each other going, "I thought you had it!"

If you're a competitive volleyball player you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Somehow a group of people with perfectly normal communication skills off the court lose their ability to communicate their intent and organize their actions the minute they step out on the courts. Volleyball is a team sport, ladies and gentlemen, and if you can't communicate with your teammates your game is going to fall apart faster than an ice cream cone in Mississippi in late July.

Simple phrases like, "I got it!" or "Heads up" or even "Mine" will go a long way toward rehabilitating your game. When everyone knows who has control of the ball they can set themselves up to take on a defensive position rather than diving for a ball that they aren't in an optimum position to get anyway. The same principle applies if you happen to see an area of uncovered space while you're out on the court…yelling out to your teammate (politely) to cover a hole before the serve is better for your game and your interpersonal relations than yelling at them after the other team has already scored.

There are numerous ways that teammates communicate, and in time your team will develop a rhythm that works for you. Don't be afraid to encourage your teammates! Letting your team know you support them will go a long way toward improving your team dynamic and keeping everyone working together…and when you're exhausted at the end of a long, hard game sometimes an encouraging word is exactly what you need to go just that little bit further.

Your communication skills are as vital a part of your volleyball game as they are other aspects of your life. Find other great training tips and resources at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Choosing Your Team's Volleyball Jerseys

Every team has something that ties them together. Over time that something often becomes something intangible, the desire to win and to help your team move on to victory. In the beginning, however, until you get to know each other and develop the personal relationship that makes players into teammates, the only thing binding you together is going to be the color and style of the jersey you all wear when you walk out onto the court.

Your team jersey symbolizes the fact that whether you know each other or not, whether you respect each other or not, you and the people who wear that jersey are out on the courts fighting for a common cause. It sets you apart from the people in the stands and the men and women on the other side of that net. When you're on the court that jersey shows you who your friends are.

Sometimes you won't be given a choice, and tradition will dictate what shirt you wear out on the court. Every once in a while a team will decide to toss the old away and usher in the new, however, and when that happens you and your teammates may find yourselves in the unique position of being able to choose your own team jerseys. Because your jersey is so much more than a shirt, it's important that you choose that jersey with care.

There are some things that are a given when you're choosing your team's volleyball jerseys. For example, you want a shirt in a lightweight material that's going to allow your skin to breathe and won't irritate it when things start to get hot under the collar. Things like color and design, on the other hand, are slightly more negotiable.

When you're choosing the jersey that's going to represent your team it's important to choose a color and design that will make it uniquely your own. Let the entire team give their input. Although you aren't going to be able to make everyone happy, your team might surprise you by how easily they come to an agreement. If no one can agree, narrow the color and design down to the top three and toss them in a hat. Not everyone will be happy, but at least it will be fair.

Remember, your team volleyball jersey isn't just a shirt. It's a symbol of everything that your team stands for. The jersey your team chooses is going to impact the way others see you for the entire season, so it's important to choose with care.

Come see our collection of team jerseys at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.