Volleyball – Sports Knowledge

Indulging in physical activity and participating in energetic sports sessions is crucial for excellent health and increased lifespan. An individual who lacks dedication to strenuous activities may risk improved heart conditions, depression, and other chronic diseases. Physical activities do not entail dedicating an entire day to sports or games but choosing an emerging hobby, or a basic sports game can serve the purpose of a healthy lifestyle. Depending on the personal choices, preferences, moods, stamina, and energy level, any sports activity can be chosen and performed on fundamental levels to increase cardiac activity and refresh mental stability. Overall, sports such as volleyball can contribute to the well-being of people, can rehabilitate diseases, and is a cost-effective way to improve lifestyle. A great game to play at the beach, we can play volleyball in two teams of six players separated by a net. A player of one team commences a rally by serving the ball and then hitting it with an arm or hand. The receiving team must not let the ball touch the ground, and the group should touch the ball up to 3 times, but the individual players should not hold the ball twice. Currently, there are two kinds of volleyball sports played in the world. Competitive volleyball includes Olympic sports leagues, mostly played indoors on a hard court with six people on each team. Beach volleyball is usually played on sand with two players on each team. It is a game that demands abilities and skills to throw and toss the ball in different directions to each team member where opponents cannot reach. The game's main objective is to ensure the ball stays off the ground. The process involves hitting and using other hits with the hands and forearm. A four-hit series that begins with the serve and rotates through a bump, set, and spike sequence until the ball hits the court or goes out of the court premises. What Are The 3 Main Types Of Hits In Volleyball? The three main types of hits in volleyball are: The Bump is the first hit when the ball crosses the net from a serve, hit, or a free ball. The bump intends to send the ball to a teammate, and the ball gets to the teammate successfully. The bump or pass should be successfully laid to the setter. The Volley: This is mainly used by the setters for setting the ball. In the volley hit, the setter hits the ball overhead with both hands sending the ball back up. This style of hitting the ball is crucial because, if executed properly, the setter could set the ball in an excellent position for a teammate to strike the ball beautifully. In the volley, both hands must come in contact with the ball simultaneously to avoid a double hit. Essential to note that not all setters use the volley as a setting technique, but most setters make use of the volley hit. The Spike: This hit is intended to kill the ball and score. The spike hit may also be referred to as "killing or hitting." The sole intention of this hit is for the ball to end up on the floor in the opposition’s half. The spike hit is when the player jumps aggressively with the arm to the back, hits the ball with enough power, and targets the other team’s side. This hit is made by the outside hitter or the middle hitter. How Many Approaches Are In Volleyball Spiking? In Volleyball spiking, there are various approaches to the ball, which are: The 4-step volleyball approach: The most popular spiking approach is mainly utilized by the right side and outside hitters. To spike the ball correctly, the pattern in which the ball is hit is very crucial. A right-handed player would approach the ball in the right-left-right-left step pattern and leave the ground on the last two steps with both feet. The 3-step volleyball approach is very similar to the 4-step volleyball approach. The ball's approach would be a left-right-left step pattern and is majorly used for lower quicker sets. The 2-step volleyball approach: This approach is made majorly by players hitting quick sets. When the setter is about to set the ball, the middle hitter might find it challenging to approach and only take two steps. That is the right-left step pattern. No step approach: In this approach, no step is taken before jumping. The player jumps and spikes the ball. A blocker often makes this approach. What Is The Importance Of Spiking In Volleyball? The very importance of spiking in volleyball is to hit a shot that scores a point in a volleyball game. The hitter spikes the ball over the net with enough force so that the opposition cannot return the ball while making sure the ball lands in the opposition’s court by earning points. Since the objective of volleyball is to keep the ball from touching the ground, it is imperative to learn and understand the essential hits used to move the ball around the premises. Players should master the hitting skills to have an effective, successful outcome. These include serves, passes, and attacks. The three types of hits a player should master are bump, volley, and spike. Volleyball Serve The first move in the volleyball game is an effective and robust serve. The rest of the moves and hits depend on the player's type of service. A serve can be an underhand, overhand, or jump serve. Players who are experts in underhand serves act with their fists closed and an open palm to toss the ball over the net using an underhand motion of hands and palm altogether. This type of service is considered successful because it has more loft than the other service. Players who prefer an overhand serve throw the ball up in the air first and then hit the ball using an overhand movement with a firm stance of feet on the ground. Players who play at an international level use jump serve, which involves more practice. This service allows the ball to reach a certain height granting power and force to the server with the same hand and arm movement similar to the overhand serve. However, in jump serve, the feet are slightly moved from the surface while jumping instead of the overhand serve, where feet are not supposed to leave the ground. Volleyball Bump The bump is also a significant hit in the volleyball game. It is similar to forearm passing and is the second hit that the players use after the ball hits the net. There are two types of bumps: regular and digs. A regular bump is used when the ball is placed above the waist and does not require a significant or prominent hit to change the direction. A dig bump is used when the ball lands below the waist and requires extra effort to recover the ball and hit it to the other team. It is a primary pass in volleyball in which the players are expected to keep their arms away from their bodies at a 90-degree angle. While performing a bump, the knees should be bent. Volleyball Set A set is a forefront pass or a skillful move by players positioned near the net. The body movements and settlements determine the success of a set. We should bend, and our hands reach about 4 to 6 inches above the head. The fingers should imitate the shape of the ball, which we can do by making a triangle with the thumbs and the other four fingers. Freeze the ball when the arms are fully extended and should be done in proper coordination to avoid holding the ball in one place. A set is also known as a second hit after the bump, which involves throwing the ball in the air to anticipate the third hit called a spike. A set should be adequately performed and appropriate to form a better spike. This overhead passing which involves fingers in an upward motion should be performed so that it is not interrupted by the blocker on the opposite side. Volleyball Spike A spike is a forceful and intense hit performed by the present player nearest to the net. It is played to send and direct the volleyball with power towards a particular area of the premises. After the performance of a set, the ball is located in the middle of the air, closer to the net. Then a team member will then jump in the direction of the ball and use the entire force of arms and shoulder muscles to add more intensity to the ball, throwing it to the opponent's area, which is not being defended. The opposite team is expected to save the short before touching the ground. However, the player needs to be fully prepared for the spike. The jump should be straight-up, and we should place the elbows at the exact level with the shoulder. The forearm should not be in tension and should be relaxed and stress-free. It is not permissible to hit the ball with a closed fist, and players should avoid touching the net. An open palm provides better stability and balance to the ball to perform a successful spike. Volleyball Block A block is used in retaliation to a spike when the team defends the ball. The player must be positioned right next to the net and should be able to jump up straight right after the spike is thrown; this way, the opposite team members can easily block a spike and score a win. To perform a block, hands are extended into the air similar to the height, and the player should be able to transfer their intensity to the ball and throw it into the area. Touching the net is a foul and will end the volley. We must play the balled over the catch in three or more minor. It can handle the ball with any part of the body as long as it bounces immediately. If a player touches the ball, it is considered a play on the ball. The players are not allowed to hold, lift, or even push the ball.