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.

Come see our extensive collection of volleyball equipment at www.volleyballproshop.com.

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/.

Buying Your Volleyball Duffle

When you're choosing the closets, dressers and cupboards that are going to hold your books, appliances and clothing, what do you look for? Do you just go for the one with the lowest price tag, or do you take things like quality, durability and efficiency into consideration? Knowing that you have to live with the individual "quirks" of these items every day of your life, you're likely to look far beyond the price to ensure that they're able to do the things you need them to do without driving you crazy or costing you hundreds of dollars because of poor quality.

Why, then, wouldn't you take that same approach to purchasing your volleyball duffle?

During volleyball season you and your duffle are going to develop the same close, intimate relationship women have with their purse. All of life's "little essentials" are going to be wrapped up in that bag, making it one of the most important objects you own-yet most people choose their volleyball duffle with less care and consideration than they give their Big Mac.

When you're choosing your volleyball duffle you want to do it with an eye toward both quality and efficiency. Choose a high quality fabric that will withstand the constant friction of skidding across a gym floor or the floorboards of your car, preferably in a bright, easily distinguishable design so you never grab the wrong bag when you're out on the road. Once you've settled on a brand you like, choose a bag that has plenty of small pockets to hold miscellaneous items such as iPods and quarters while still leaving you room in the middle for your practice clothes, your game day uniform, your protective gear, a small First-Aid kit, a practice ball (or two) and your game shoes.

A poor quality duffle bag will fall apart at the least opportune moment, forcing you to spend the time and money to purchase another one (usually while trying to juggle all of your belongings in a tiny plastic sack). A bag that is too small won't be able to hold all of your equipment, and one that is too large or doesn't have the proper organizational compartments will leave you standing in the locker room looking for your lucky socks while your team hits the courts.

Sooner or later your shoes will fall apart, your practice clothes will begin to fade and your kneepads will be replaced, but a good volleyball duffle bag will see you through it all.

Considering the fact that your duffle bag is going to be your home away from home when you're out on the road, it's important to make your selection with care. Come check out our selection of high quality, functional duffle bags at http://www.volleyballproshop.com/.

Men's National Team Honored by the U.S. Olympic Committee

We interrupt this week's gear shopping guide for a juicy tidbit of volleyball news: Thursday, January 22, the U.S. Olympic Committee officially announced that the U.S. Men's National Volleyball team was named the 2008 Team of the Year.

The honor comes after the team's sweeping victory in Beijing, leaving the tournament undefeated. The third ranking team going into the Olympic Games behind Brazil and Russia, they emerged victorious after defeating both top ranking teams as well as Bulgaria and Russia (ranked 3rd and 4th).

Thanks to their efforts, the U.S. is currently the 2nd ranked Men's Volleyball team in the world. As a team, they were first in kills and second in blocks and aces at the games and were nominated for Sports Illustrated's 2008 Sportsmen of the year award.

Their victory came on the heels of Coach Hugh McCutcheon's personal tragedy. McCutcheon's in-laws, Todd and Barbara Bachman, were the victims of an unknown assailant while sight-seeing in Beijing at the opening of the games. Todd was killed and Barbara severely injured, leading to McCutcheon's absence at the first three matches of the games until his mother in law was stable enough to return to the U.S.

U.S. Men's Team member Ryan Millar is quoted as saying, "It's so good to do this with Hugh and to do this for him and the Bachmans. I think being named the 2008 team of the year solidifies all the hard work that our team put into 2008. Winning the Olympic gold medal is something that will bond our team forever."

Millar's teammate, Reid Priddy, adds, "To be honest…trying to stay in the moment helped us. We're just so proud to be a part of this team representing our country."

Give our guys a round of applause!

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