The most common complaint players (hitters in particular) have about their game is their vertical jump.

“I’m 3 inches shorter than all the hitters on my team”

or

“I’m trying to get an explosive vert so I can JAM the ball down the other team’s throat”

Although having a good vertical/standing reach can be an advantage, it does not guarantee that you’ll be a good player. The key to becoming the best player you can be is keen self-awareness.

Identify Weaknesses

Its hard to evaluate your own performance without seeing yourself from the outside. Have somebody take a video of you in game and make observations. Post the video on a forum/message board like Reddit’s r/volleyball and ask for feedback. The members there are always more than happy to help evaluate your game.

Having an experienced coach was one of the main reasons I was able to overcome physical disadvantages. As a 5′ 6″ opposite, I wasn’t about to beat other players in brute force and vertical reach. He told me that “the best hitters aren’t those who hit perfect sets perfectly. They are those who can ADAPT to any set. I went on to learn how to trick middle blockers, cut shot, how to tip effectively, etc.

Fix Weaknesses

If you always hit the same spot on the court approaching from the same angle every time you hit, you may be wondering why the other team always manages to put up a big block against you. In this case it may be too easy to read you! By learning to vary your hitting spots, you can target a weak DS, take out a back row setter, or hit around the block effectively.

This is a simple example, but it shows the importance of being able to identify your unique weaknesses. You should either attack those aspects of your game until they become second nature or learn to use your strengths to work around those weaknesses.

In the above example, that would mean either practicing your hit placements or making sure the other team reads your approach and you tool the block. This concept goes for everything from becoming a better blocker to being a smarter hitter to learning to pass cleaner.

Next month I’ll be writing an article about capitalizing on your strengths as a player. If you liked this post or if you have any feedback, feel free to email me: backonefitness@gmail.com

Regards,

Mehdi