Volleyball

How does this sport help your body?
In order to play quality volleyball, one needs to be in good all-around physical condition, which includes both aerobic training, and strength training. In beach doubles, during long rallies especially in tournament situations, a player may have to run full speed to the back of the court, dig a spike, and sprint back to the net where the partner has set the ball, jump as high as possible, and then hit (spike) the ball—all in soft sand! The better shape you are in overall, the easier this task will be!

How does this sport help you mentally?
Most advanced players agree that once the basic skills are accomplished, the sport is 50% skills, and 50% mental. It requires players to have a quick decision-making capacity, temendous concentration and focus. Concentration is being totally immersed in and aware of what is happening whithout any thought of time, yourself, or things going on outside of your immediate world. These are valuable mental skills that can be applied to many other aspects of one’s life for success.

What sort of body type does a player need?
The most successful volleyball players, like basketball players are tall & lean, with a long arm reach. They have super upper body strength, and powerful legs for jumping and quick bursts of movement. However, volleyball can be played by young, old, and short as well. Short players who are quick can be effective defensive players. Blockers and hitters are usually tall though, and are especially appealing to colleges scouting for athletes in this sport.

What are the dangers involved with this sport?
Volleyball is a relatively safe sport. Indoor volleyball injuries most often include sprained or broken ankles, or bruises due to hard landings on elbows or knees, and shoulder injuries (though knee pads are usually worn indoors). Beach volleyball is fun because of so few injuries. Usually pulled muscles are the worst injuries; occasionally there are bruises and cuts because players crash into each other, and sometimes, but rarely,  during jousts at the net when one player lands on another, there can be sprained ankles.

What equipment do you need to play this sport?
Equipment is simple, and consists of a net, a set of two poles (holding the net up) and a ball. The indoor volleyball is lighter in weight, and slightly smaller than the beach volleyball. Ideally, “lines” are marked on a gym floor, or physically laid out on the grass or sand with rope or webbing. Often court boundaries are “drawn” in the sand by dragging a foot around the perimeter of the court! Players usually wear shorts, light shirts, socks, supportive but light weight shoes, and knee pads indoors. Beach players most often simply wear a bathing suit or shorts.

Links to Other Sites
US Youth Volleyball League
USA Volleyball

History
Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan in 1865 at a YMCA in Massachusettes. In 1922 the first United States national tournament was held. Six years later the United States Volleyball Association was formed. Volleyball was first an olympic event, for both men and women, at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.