Volleyball  I.Q.

What IS team Chemistry? 

By Susan Schmidt  ⎸  4.21.23

Team chemistry. Hundreds of articles and books are written about it for coaches. I have lots of thoughts but the bottom line is that everyone has to want it. Everyone has to put the work in to create it.  

Trust-Bound Relationships

Volleyball isn't as random as it looks. There is a certain amount of choreography involved. Players have to know that their teammates are where they are supposed to be at any given moment. Every player on the court has a place to be every time the ball is touched, even when it's on the other side. Making predictable patterns of movement and being in the correct spot allows a player to take a risk on a big play that can payoff, but if it doesn't there's someone there to back them up. They also must be able to trust that if they take that risk, their players will support them whether it's successful or not. Volleyball is a game of mistakes - there are at least 25 in every set. Threats to the trust-relationship, like talking behind a player's back and negative responses to mistakes, never results in a winning situation. Even if the score says it's a win, the broken trust is a loss. Saying something in the heat of the moment can happen, in that case a sincere apology - and forgiveness- needs to happen. Trusting that your teammates have your back after a mistake is crucial. Trusting that they accept you as you are, is even more important. 

Selflessness

The 2019 Stanford team, without a doubt, had superstar players. But watching them interact, you wouldn't know it. They all knew they needed each other to be successful and no one person was going to get them that championship. When a ball is served, the receiving passer cannot be thinking about how great they are going to look getting that ball up. They need to focus on their setter and putting that ball in a spot for them. The setter isn't focusing on racking up their stats or that the pass is bad and makes their job harder. They need to be thinking about where to put the ball for their hitters. Even the hitters can't be thinking about their own success. They have a job to do as well. The passer and setter just worked to get that ball to them. They need to find the best spot to put it and make all that work worth it. I've seen teams with really skilled players struggle because individuals care more about their own goals than that of the team. Success comes to those teams that know their individual success is impossible without everyone else. 

Coaches will determine what is best for the team at any given competition or practice. That's going to mean that at any given moment there are players not on the court. The selfless player pays attention to what is happening on that court anyway. They stay engaged by cheering, calling the lines, watching for holes, and reminding everyone of the team's goals. They don't wait to be told to help keep the cart full of balls so that the drill can keep going. They don't need to be reminded that their body language on the bench is just as important as those on the court. No one wants to be on the bench. The Stanford 2019 roster had 17 players. There's a good chance only about 9 or 10 of them entered the championship match. But I bet everyone worked at every practice to make that win happen because they wanted it for each other more than themselves.

If your are a player reading this, consider how well you are able to put the team above your own wants and needs. How can you contribute on and off the court in a way that raises up your teammates? What does it mean to play FOR your team, rather than WITH your team? 

If you are a parent or guardian, you are often in a position to congratulate or console after a match. My recommendation is to help your player love the sport and their team no matter what. Your critique, especially right after a match, probably won't be heard. Your critique of the team, or even worse, other players, can put the bond that the team is trying to build in jeopardy. My favorite thing to say is: I just love watching you play. 

Stanford v Wisconsin 2019 is HERE (The three amazing interviews start at 1:25:00)

From the bench, I've seen all of the problems of spandex. At best, they ride up a little bit. At their worst, they ride up a lot. Either way, there always seems to be a lot of tugging at the bottom hem whether it's really out of place or just force of habit for players. Certain brands and colors can even be a bit see-through. Some girls are completely comfortable in them, others are not. The best advice I have for the uniform is to invest in good quality shorts, replace them when they stretch out, and make sure you have the correct size and length (minimum 2-inch inseam). The material doesn't appear to wear out so, like my daughter back in 7th grade, kids tend to think the same shorts are wearable for years. Most often they don't stay put when the they've been used too long. This is fine for practice, but saving the best ones for competition is a good idea. 

Recently, USA Volleyball has made changes to uniform rules. Instead of requiring every team member on the court have the same shorts, the rule has changed to allow any type of bottom as long as all team members are wearing the same color (see image below from USAV). National level and college teams started to allow leggings a few years ago. They are now allowed at youth-level tournaments and I've noticed a few 15s and 17s players wearing them this year. When it comes to the Club Hounds uniform- as long as the bottoms are black, opaque even when stretched, and the correct size, know that there are now several options. It's very exciting to see this change that allows players to play in whatever bottoms make them feel and play their best. 

Have you ever wondered about volleyball uniforms, shoes, ankle-braces, or other things that volleyball players wear? Let me know! 

Setters 

Often compared to a "quarterback." Setters receive the first pass to set (hopefully) to a front or back row hitter. They need to be able to move quickly if the first pass doesn't come right to them. They need to move their feet under the ball, make quick decisions, and set the ball accurately in one of many different specific locations. The best setters can put the ball with pinpoint accuracy both in position along the net and at specific heights. 

If a team is utilizing a 5-1 rotation, there is one setter who plays all the way around, blocking in the front and digging in the back. At times, that means they must take the first pass, in which case the libero makes the set. If a team is using 6-2, that means there are two different setters who sub out when they get to the front. By always having a setter in the back, it ensures the front row always has three hitters and blockers. Setters don't receive serve so that they are available to set the second ball. For this reason, rotational positions are altered so that the players are in the same order, but positioned so that the setter doesn't touch the serve. This creates some complicated lineup and overlap rules - but, that's for an explanation another time. 

Middle Blockers 

Usually known for being the tallest on the team, middle blockers' main job is to move along the net to block "at the pins" as well as in the middle. They need to be able to see subtle cues from the opposing setter to figure out where the set is going as soon as possible and make it into position before the ball is contacted by the hitter. The most common attack pattern for a middle hitter is a "1" hit that comes from the setter as a quick set that middles hit fast and low to beat the opposing blockers. For that reason, they need to have a good connection with their setter. Middles aren't often known for their passing skills so they most often sub out when they get to the back, usually replaced by the libero. 

Outside and Right Side Hitters 

These are known as the "pin" hitters. They need to block with the middle both in their position and sometimes with the middle in the center. They also need to provide defensive coverage behind the blockers in case of tips. Outside hitters get a majority of sets as that is often the easiest ball to set and hit, especially when the first pass is off the net (out of system). 

Outside hitters often play all rotations, right side hitters are subbed out for a setter in a 6-2 rotation, and often replaced with a defensive specialist in a 5-1. When playing back row, these players can also hit from the back as long as their feet don't cross the attack line before contacting the ball. 

Defensive Specialists and Liberos 

These players are the best passers on the team, but not likely to be the most effective front row hitters. For this reason, they are often the vertically-challenged players, but not always. The most important thing is that they are always ready to take the first ball. They have to be perceptive to read the opposing offense, quick to move into defensive position, and accurate with their pass. They are known for making an all out effort to get an errant ball, sprinting and diving all over the court. 

Defensive specialists sub out when they get to the front and back in when that same player gets to the back. Liberos can sub in two, opposite positions. This means they usually go in for both middles. They may never play in the front row, hence the different color jersey. Utilizing a libero ensures a strong passer is always on the court and doesn't count toward the substitution limit. 

What's a volleyball rule, technique or strategy you've wondered about?  Let Coach Susan know via Band.