Blogging...

Okay, so I'm considering doing a blog. I'm not going to go into anything about why or my plans, because I anticipate that they mostly be rants. So I'll just launch into something on my mind...

Simple rules for volleyball (some of these are universal, some are specific to IM and social clubs where there is a huge disparity in talent within teams and between opponents):

1) Always play to win.

You are not allowed to get mad at me for being competitive.

2) Reciprocity: If player A is in the front row and gives a good pass, then player A gets the set.

I never feel as jack up as when I'm about 5 feet behind the 10' line and give a perfect pass and can make a huge approach for the third hit. I feel like I'm jumping an extra foot off the ground and I swing with authority. Setting anyone else is tantamount to treason for the pass I just gave you. (PS, use common sense, if I have to dive or pass it 25' off the net, I'm not going to make it)

3)Feed the Bear: If player A is the stud on the team or has consistently put the ball down all game. Player has the right to receive all (non-forced) sets until they are dug or make a hitting error. If said player is consistently the best swinger, they should be set at every (non-forced) opportunity when the game is on the line.

I don't mean to force the ball if the pass is bad, but if you have an option to go any hitter, I never understand why people don't "feed the bear" if the bear consistently gets you points or puts pressure on the opposing defense. Sometimes setters out-think themselves. Also, setters should decide who the bear is, not the hitters. Sometimes hitters think they are great just by cranking the ball hard, but always right at the defense. When the game is on the line, all you need are points. I don't care if you tip it.

4)One great play deserves a rally: (need a better name) If player A digs the opposing player's huge hit or dives to make a saving play, you must do whatever is necessary to keep the point going.

There is nothing worse than making a great play only to see the rest of the team watch and give up on the play. Sometimes digs are not perfectly passed balls, but that doesn't mean that someone can't keep the ball up. Don't watch me play volleyball and dive around the court, help me out a bit would you?

5) Serve the ball in the court

Okay, so everyone misses a serve no and again, that's fine. But if you have a "hard serve" that you hit in the court <50% of the time, you need a new serve (and I don't care if it is underhanded). You can't just give up serving opportunities.

5a) You are not allowed to miss a serve on game point. End of story.

5b) Unless you played vb regularly (>2 times a week) in recent history, your toss on you serve should not be more than 4-5 feet high. You will not be consistent, and you will blame you toss and not the fact that you have never learned how to play.

5c) If you are seriously outgunned by an opposing team, you are allowed to miss 'serves of aggression' trying to force passing errors. Serves of aggression include serves that are <2 ft out and the opponents are forced to decide whether it is in or out. They do not include serves that hit the net and do not go over, or are clearly out.

6) Drawing blood from an opponent is a good thing.

7) Once it's funny, twice it's silly...: you don't get a third chance.

If you have just shanked two serve returns, you are not allowed to get angry when I overplay you and take the third ball. This is something I've notice college teams do well, if they get really bad results from a formation or attack twice in a roll, then it is scrapped. Bring in a new passer, pinch out a passer, cross you hitters, whatever just don't keep trying the same thing expecting different results (def of insanity).

8) Look at your Opponents: See how they are lined up, who's hitting, where are the weak spots?

There is no reason to set the 5'6" lady swinging against a 6'4" guy when your male hitter is swinging against a female block. See that before the play.

9) I don't set in coed.

Unless you bring me Logan Tom, Misty May, etc... don't ask me to set in a coed league.