Maybe you don’t enjoy being active but want to give a sport a try? Or maybe you already play a sport but want a backup sport? Well I am here to convince you to play the sport volleyball.
Volleyball is a team sport with 6 players on each side of the court, so 12 in total. It requires a lot of communication and teamwork to play properly. If you already play a sport other than volleyball, volleyball is a great backup sport. You can join camps or even leagues with friends to improve skill and have fun. If it becomes something you really enjoy you can start joining clubs where you can meet new people and experience tryouts. Or if you’ve never tried volleyball before, you can purchase a volleyball and learn how to do the basic skills which are bump, set, spike, and serving. Bumping is the first touch which is receiving the ball. Setting is the second pass which is to pass the ball to the hitter. Hitting is a powerful skill to get the ball over to the opposing team’s side. Lastly serving is what starts the game and it is a skill used outside of the court to get the ball over to the opposing team.You can also wall pepper which is passing the ball to the wall and staying consistent, not letting the ball drop. These are some of the volleyball activities you can do to stay active.
You will also learn a lot from this sport. For example I had a coach experience that made me change the perspective on how I treat my teammates. This coach would treat me and sometimes other teammates in some rude ways. Although having a mean coach can be a good thing because they will help you improve, it is different if they just bring you down. One experience that has stuck to me was during a game where I was making constant serves, then when I missed one she started telling my friend “I told her to keep that damn arm straight and there she goes serving the ball out.” That really brought down my confidence and reminded me that I need to treat my teammates the way I would’ve liked to be treated. Giving reassurance by telling your teammates, “you got the next one” or “ good job” help them stay confident. This goes to show that if there are tough times during volleyball, you can still learn from them.
If you are looking to start playing for a team some good things to start off with are to practice during your free time. You can even try going to an open gym and practice with yourself or with friends. The next good step is to try seeking for camps. These are good to do before trying out for a team or club because at these camps they teach you new techniques and skills to improve. If the time comes and you want to try out for a team at your school or a club I would recommend to always be loud. You need to show communication with your team to succeed. You also always want to show that you can be a good leader on the court because the coaches will like it if you have a good mindset. Always inspire your teammates and remember that it is okay if you don’t make the team! There are many more tryouts.
Overall this sport has brought me a lot. It is what I do to clear my mind, to stay active, and to have fun. I have learned many lessons and have made so many memories with my volleyball teammates. I’ve had so many wonderful experiences and I truly believe that volleyball can help you do the same, whether you want to do it for fun or if you actually want to commit to it.
Arleth Rojas – St. Laurence High School – DMSF Class of 2029
Photo Credit: Ron Alvey – Adobe Stock