9781422278765

Chapter Match Day

Set from a consistent body position and hand position so you can be deceptive. If you arch your back too much, the block- ers will know you are setting back. And if you take the ball too far in front of you, the only place you can set is forward. “ “ – Lindsey Berg, U.S. Olympic silver medalist

Volleyball players, like many other athletes, are creatures of habit. At the high levels of the sport, athletes like to have set routines, whether the match is the opening round of the AVP New Orleans Open or the finals of the FIVB Volleyball world championship. The consistency of a routine is a key part of match-day preparation. Get Some Rest It sounds simple enough—go to bed, and get some sleep. But high school and college students have busy schedules, as do pro players, so it might not be that simple in many cases. Giving your body the proper amount of rest often requires the same sacrifice and dedication that training does. Especially at higher levels, athletes will likely find themselves traveling a lot, and dealing with changing time zones and erratic playing schedules can be challenging. Sleep is necessary to optimize both your physical and mental condition. Players should try to get between eight and nine hours of sleep the night before they compete. If that is not possible because of travel or other factors, several players

“Sand is an entirely different game than indoor volleyball. Even if you are an amazing indoor player, your skills are going to take time to transition to the sand.” – Lisa Rutledge, 2009 AVP Best Defensive Player

7