| On the beach when you get called because you | | | | wanted to get faster in the sand, I was going to have |
| "threw the ball" that is considered a violation that's | | | | to run in the sand. It was pretty much that simple. So |
| been committed because your upper body, hands and | | | | the more you run in the sand the faster you get in it. If |
| arms were facing in one direction but you set the ball | | | | you intend to just play the occasional recreational |
| outside the plane of your body to another direction. | | | | game then sand sprints may not be your thing. But if |
| Once you face a particular direction to overhand set, | | | | you've been bitten by the sand game bug and really |
| you are only allowed to set the ball in front of you or in | | | | want to get better at it, then you're going to have to |
| back of you within the plane of your body, but if you | | | | train and develop those muscles you'll need to |
| "re-direct" the ball so that it goes outside the plane of | | | | transport you across the sand quickly, efficiently and |
| your body you have "thrown the ball." | | | | continuously over the course of a three-set match. |
| If you add in the elements in beach volleyball, like the | | | | By now, many colleges are building sand courts or |
| wind blowing the ball around or being distracted by the | | | | there are neighborhood parks with sand courts that |
| sun when you look up at the ball in your attempt to | | | | you can go to if you dont live near a beach. If you |
| overhand set it, then you'll understand why most | | | | have a summer sprint workout, then a great |
| professional beach volleyball players prefer to bump | | | | suggestion would be to do your sprints on the sand, as |
| set the ball during their games. | | | | well as in the gym or on the track. Something as |
| As an indoor volleyball player transitioning to the sand | | | | simple as 3 sets of 10 sprints starting at the service |
| game, you'll need to get used to playing outside and | | | | line on one side of the court and running up to the net |
| dealing with these elements and others including rain | | | | and walking back and then running up to the net, and |
| and heavy wind at times. You'll also need to develop | | | | walking back again, repeating this ten times, taking a |
| your leg speed and the muscles you need to use to | | | | break and then doing another two sets of ten will get |
| help you anticipate where your teammate is going to | | | | you started in the right direction. |
| pass you the ball, so you can beat the ball, use your | | | | Just like when you play in indoor volleyball, you have to |
| legs to get into a low position and deliver a nice bump | | | | use your legs to set the ball. This is even more valid |
| set for your partner to hit. And you'll have to develop | | | | when bump setting on the beach. The faster you |
| the strength and stamina to be able to do this at least, | | | | develop your sand leg speed and strength, the sooner |
| at a minimum 50 times in a 21 point game. | | | | you will be able to control the ball and the ball won't be |
| Coach Mark Barber gave me some great conditioning | | | | controlling you. |
| advice that I've never forgotten. He said that if I | | | | |