Being Ready Means Being LOW If you can’t touch the ground while you’re waiting for the ball, you’re not low enough. Your heels should NEVER be fully on the ground – keep those eyes and feet moving at all times. Don’t just react to the ball – anticipate what’s going to happen.

So what do you do once the ball gets to you?...

Stay low Do not interlace your fingers – instead make a fist with one hand and grab it with the other Point your thumbs down – this should make your arms straighter Reach – notice how the women on the previous page all have their shoulders away from their bodies (you should almost feel a pull across your back) Keep the ball in front of you Face where you want the ball to go DO NOT SWING YOUR ARMS – your arms stay flat while your LEGS go up and down After you make contact, DO NOT STAND UP – follow through towards your target

The next person to touch the ball is the setter. Bend. All your fingers should touch the ball. Keep your elbows out, like you’re up against a wall. When you follow through, it’s not basketball. Do not cock your wrist. As always, face where you want the ball to go.

Then the hit. (We’ll talk about this later )

So now let’s watch some video. At first, just watch. But then… Try picking out one player and just watching what she does the whole time. Even though we’re not really going to have positions at the level we’re playing, if you plan on trying out in high school (or playing club volleyball), you will. There are players who specialize in passing, setting, even serving and hitting. Some play all the way around. But it’s not as simple a sport as it may seem.

US Olympic Women’s Team Stanford University vs. Penn State University 8aAKA1PfR%2Fn5MGnY4qWrvcmm6sBg%3D High School Volleyball On Long Island

So remember: 1)Always pay attention and be ready to move 2)Stay low 3)It’s your legs that do the work, not your arms 4)Face where you want the ball to go 5)Be loud (call “mine”) 6)Have a good attitude