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Do You Play?
By Rick Rechtien
Bring up the topic of Volleyball and you get several answers to the question, “do you play?” It is kind of like softball, everyone feels like they do play at some degree or another. There may be a quick, “no,” but most people seem to feel that they “do” play! This is where the question gets more complicated and the explanations more entertaining. “Yes, I do play,” could mean “bar-b-que ball” or “I play all the time at my family reunions!” “I played in P.E. class, but that was 20 years ago!” It could very simply mean, (under their breath of course) that they know what it is and saw it played once and it doesn’t look that hard to do. Usually those answers are greeted with a comment translating into, “oh, that’s nice but…see ya!”
Then there are those answers that give you hope if you are looking for more players for a team, leagues or pickup games. Those answers are more like, (now read these with enthusiasm for the full effect) VOLLEYBALL, I LOVE VOLLEYBALL!!! Or, “when and where do you play?” Comments like, “are you questioning my volleyballhood?” (Sorry if that’s not a word but it fits!) Oh, then there is the no answer that goes like this, “DO you play volleyball?” and the answer is silent but a small grin starts at the corner of the mouth and works it’s way across the face to a full-faced smile! (Now add a cocky little twinkle in the eye and a slight snap of the head and you get the picture.) The translation to that one is, “when and where and I’ll be there!” Those are the ones that make you wonder!
If I may borrow an often used quote, there are people who play and there are, PLAYERS! People who play, enjoy an occasional game for relaxation. Players, are anything but relaxed! Players play night and day, inside and out, on sand, hardwood, grass, asphalt (okay maybe not asphalt but only because it’s hard on the ball.) The remainder of this article is addressed to those that want to be, “players!”
First off, volleyball is intimidating to those who grew up in other sports, (sorry for saying this) but especially, guys. Why guys? Because we are taught to catch and throw, kick and carry, all things that don’t mix well with volleyball. Volleyball is a finesse game played with power. That is why the girls do so well, they understand pass, control, set, communicate, we guys relate to, “kill and kill it good!”
Volleyball is a dependant team sport where half of the team should touch the ball before the “kill” and one play can’t do it all. This is frustrating to the ones who feel a need to absolutely control every aspect of the game. Players have a specific area that is “theirs” and they defend it with honor. You often hear comments like, “not on my court!” “not on my net!” or “give me another one!” Individuals don’t usually fair well because they don’t understand the concept that you must, “play well with others.”
Outside of skill, there are two other factors that make a player good, knowledge of the game and communication. A good team with a grasp of these two areas and decent skill will often beat a great player or two. Volleyball is not about me, but about “us!’
As for skill, learn the right technique. Play with knowledgeable players, play with a good ref. It will be frustrating at first but the dividends are huge! When learning, play as often as you can and when you get better, play more than that. Play with competition that challenges you. In the early stages you will lose, allot, but in the later stages, you will win more often. A good match resulting in a loss can be more satisfying than blowing out everyone else in some rec league that you are too good to be in. Ask questions, watch, observe, even a bad player can teach you a few things.
Become a player that people like to play with. You will find yourself being picked before players that are more skilled but hard to play with. Volleyball is supposed to be fun, challenging and dependant on the player or players around you. Two awesome hitters may not be as good as an awesome passer and a hitter. Help those who need help until they become better, don’t play for them, play with them.
Not everyone will have the skills or ability to be a “great player,” but everyone has the ability to become a “great teammate!” In the end, leave the game, the court, the complex, the league or the tournament a better place because you played there!
PS……..and always use………………manners and sunblock!
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