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/