The Hottest Brand Names in Volleyball

When you're shopping for volleyball gear, whether it's a great pair of shoes or a practice ball for the backyard, you want to make sure you're not just getting the best for your money. You want to make sure you're getting the best for your game. It's often tempting to settle for second best and put away the difference for that weekend trip to Malibu, but the bottom line is that the last thing you want to do is cut corners when it comes to your equipment.

Not only does cheap equipment wear out faster (and usually at the worst possible moment), it can also have some nasty side effects. Fallen arches, blisters and banged up knees aren't fun, but that's exactly what you'll get when you cut corners on the quality of your gear.

Since I opened the doors of the Volleyball Pro Shop I've made it my mission to carry the hottest names in volleyball gear to make sure that my customers don't just get the best deals for their money. I want to make sure they get the best deal for their game. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to equipment, and it won't be long before you too develop your own personal taste in the style and brand of your volleyball gear; however, if you're new to the game and trying to figure out if you're being scammed by a slick sales pitch and a good price tag, here are some high quality brand names to look for:

Accessories and Cool Spandex: Pre-Wrap, Funkadelic Shorts

Shoes: Mizuno, Asics, Nike

Balls: Mikasa, Tachikara

Protective Gear and Uniforms: Mizuno, Tandem Sports, Adidas

You deserve the best every time you step out the court. Good equipment doesn't just benefit your game. It lasts longer, plays better and protects your game more smoothly than cheap imitations.

Come check out our huge selection of high quality gear at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Should I Play Volleyball?

First and foremost, let me say that there's nothing in the world like the feeling of diving for the ball and making the ultimate save, racking up another point on the scoreboard-in my opinion, anyway. It's often hard for me to remember that there are people out there that don't enjoy the sport, which makes it hard every time someone comes up to me with the inevitable question-do you think I should play volleyball?

If you're already a certified court master, there's no question in your mind what the answer to that question should be. It usually falls somewhere along the lines
of, "Where's the ball?"! If you're waffling with the decision of whether or not to play volleyball, however, and it's blown up into momentous proportions-relax.
If you're still trying to make the decision as to whether or not you want to spend time on a regular basis smacking, bumping and spiking a ball over the net you're probably not sitting around waiting for the next summer Olympics. You've got time.

The beauty of volleyball is that although it definitely requires serious physical endurance, you've got time to build that up while playing. It's not like getting ready to hit the track for your first 5K, where if you're not in shape the minute you step out there you're going to fall on your face. As mentioned in an earlier blog, volleyball was actually designed to be a low impact sport for senior citizens by a concerned member of the YMCA. That makes it a fun, friendly sport, even if you're the type of person who has dedicated themselves to avoiding athletics like the plague.

There's also a great deal of variety in volleyball. You're never stuck in a rut. You can play beach volleyball, or indoor volleyball, or pairs, or team volleyball…the possibilities are limitless. Volleyball is an easy sport to take out of the competitive field and into your backyard, which means you don't have to have a killer instinct and a love of team sports to enjoy.

So should you play volleyball? Absolutely! Give it a try. Whether you're playing competitively or just enjoying a lazy game on the beach, you have nothing to lose.

For all the volleyball info and equipment you can handle, visit our site at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

The Ins and Outs of Volleyball Boot Camp

Whether you're a serious player looking for a way to preserve and promote your professional skills or a weekend athlete who wants to learn the ropes, volleyball boot camp is an excellent opportunity for you to strengthen and grow your skills on the court and develop strong relationships with fellow volleyball enthusiasts around the world.

The word "Boot Camp" often brings the exploited Hollywood version of Army boot camp to mind, with drill instructors constantly in your face and not a moment's peace. Relax, ladies and gentlemen, this is just Hollywood trying to make a buck by putting some comedy on the silver screen-more or less. The purpose of a real boot camp is to put you in an environment where you are able to devote 100% of your attention to stretching and expanding your skills and taking yourself farther than you ever thought you could go.

That's what volleyball boot camp will do for you. There are literally hundreds of volleyball boot camps held year round in every state in the U.S., so finding one in a convenient location near you shouldn't be hard. For (X) number of days and nights (the length varies individually) you'll work with some of the best volleyball players and coaches in the world to develop your offensive and defensive skills and expand and strengthen your training routine to make sure you're lean, mean and ready to go when you hit the court.

Volleyball boot camps may be pricey, but they're well worth the time and expense. If you ever have the opportunity, take advantage of what volleyball boot camp can offer you. The rewards will pay off the minute you hit the court, and you'll walk away with the kind of memories that last a lifetime.

For more training materials and top of the line volleyball equipment, visit http://www.volleyballproshop.com/

Strengthening Your Team's Defense

The saying, "The best defense is a good offense" definitely doesn't apply for volleyball, where the offense can become the defense and switch again in a matter of seconds. Unlike football, where offense and defense are clearly defined at any stage, in volleyball every player is expected to be both defense and offense at any given point in time.

Because of that, it's essential that your team have a strong, motivated defense.

The question is, how can you strengthen your team's defense? Practice, practice, practice. Every player on your team has unique skills that apply in different areas of the court, and while for some the art of diving after the ball may be second nature, for others it's going to take a little extra effort. Defensive strategy should be practiced both as a team effort and individually.

For individual defensive practice, have the players on your team pair up. One serves, the other saves, and the two volley back and forth until the ball drops. Tell them not to make it easy on each other! In a real competition the opposition is going to do their best to send the ball where you can't get to it, so it's essential that during practice your team invests plenty of time going after wild balls. Forget form here. All you want to do is keep it between the lines!

Be sure you have the proper protective equipment to protect your knees and ankles while you're diving for the ball. The last thing you want is a team full of bruised, banged up players who aren't fit to hit the court because they didn't have proper knee protection and they hit the boards one too many time. Knee pads are a must.

For other training resources and top of the line protective equipment, visit http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Does Volleyball Really Need Cheerleaders?

Cheerleaders are a vital part of pumping up the crowd in competitive team sports, but the exploitation of beach volleyball cheerleaders through professional and non-professional publications alike raises the question, "Does volleyball really need cheerleaders?"

Everyone has their own opinion of the role played by the bikini rockers that jazz up the crowd between points and matches. For some, it's all part of the game. Imagine the Dallas Cowboys without the Cowgirls cheering them on from the sidelines. Despite the controversy that their scanty outfits have raised among some critics of the football community, the Cowgirls are almost as much of an institution as the Cowboys themselves.

Beach volleyball cheerleaders are almost as much a part of the sport to many as the squads found on the sidelines at basketball and football games at all levels, from Pee-Wee to professional. The crowd loves them, dazzling them while the players are preparing the hit the sand all over again.

Some of the volleyball teams, however, are less than amused. The presence of the Personal Plus dance team at the beach volleyball competition in Athens met with disapproval from some of the women's teams. A member of the Australian women's team stated, "It's kind of disrespectful to the female players. I'm sure the male spectators love it, but I find it a little offensive."

Offensive? Not the fun, beach party atmosphere the team was going for, leading to the question of whether cheerleaders in bikinis belong at serious competition. Everyone has an opinion. Some members of the media have a less complimentary opinion, leading to headlines like "Babe A Day! Beach Volleyball Cheerleaders Burning Hot in Beijing" and "Bosoms, Beer and Volleyball!"-a disgrace to the sport and women who represent it.

Others, however, encourage support the crowd pleasing presence of cheerleaders on the sand, claiming it's all in good fun-exactly what these young women were going for when they stripped down to their suits and hit the court.

For all the volleyball equipment and training tips you need, visit http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.