Tag: How to

Rules and Etiquette Review

The 2015 summer sessions at Dig n Dive are about to come to a close. This year has seen some exciting new players as well as the returning veterans continuing their domination. With the slower fall and winter season approaching, I thought it would be a good time to review some of the Dig & Dive house rules and etiquette for play.

Playing volleyball at Dig & Dive is all about having fun, but I have seen a few issues with rules and etiquette this year that may need some review. In addition, I will offer up some ideas to make the play more interesting or fun. These observations are my opinion, so feel free to disagree. Most of these rules are taken directly from USAV and FIVB and modified for use at Dig & Dive.

No uniforms required for players– Not required, but it would make things more exciting to see what types of logos and uniforms that teams could come up with. Judging by some of the team names, this would be very entertaining.

No smoking in the sand– I know it looks like one big ashtray, but you would think this rule would be self- evident. I guess in the beer leagues this one is hard to resist if you are a smoker.

A player must call his or her own net, tips, and touches (honor system)– Most Dig & Dive players don’t have a problem with this rule, but when you bring in an honor system there will always be those that take advantage. Not a major issue.

Profanity is not tolerated– Moving on…

Referee calls are final– Dig & Dive has some of the finest refs around. I have heard nothing but good things about the referee quality and there is little arguing with the calls. I haven’t seen too many warnings.

Outdoor volleyball approved by referee– This one is obvious. No doctored balls allowed.

Players and guests must practice courtesy and good sportsmanship– Dig & Dive can feature some fiercely competitive matches, but I have never witnessed anything that crossed the line. Most of the players are friends on and off the court. Some of the guests may do a little heckling after a few drinks, but that can be expected and sometimes humorous.

How to Serve a Volleyball That Scores More Points

Are you tired of all your serves being returned easily? In a few easy steps, this article will explain the best way to serve a volleyball that scores more points. The article will explain the basic steps for the overhand serve. The overhand method is the most effective and difficult to return. The underhanded serve does not deliver the amount of power we need to devastate the opponent. This method is a little more geared for the intermediate to advanced player and may not be suitable for the beginner.

The only supplies you will need are a regulation volleyball and a beach volleyball court. If you do not have access to a court, you can draw a line on a wall to represent the net and stand thirty feet away. The net height is 7’11 for men and 7’4 for women.

  1. Foot Placement and starting posture: Stand a few feet behind the serving line with your left foot slightly behind your right (right handed players).
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Stacy demonstrates he starting position for an overhand serve at the courts at Dig & Dive in Wilmington, NC.
  1. Ball placement: Hold the ball out in front of you with your left hand (Right handed players) while keeping your left arm straight. Your right hand should be held up next to your head in ready position to strike the ball. This will look similar to pulling back a bow and arrow.
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Stacy demonstrates the proper ball placement for an overhand serve at Dig & Dive in Wilmington, NC.
  1. The toss: Toss the ball with your left hand two to three feet in the air. Caution- Do not let your toss drift too far away from your body. A good toss is key.
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Stacy shows the proper ball toss and arm placement for an overhand serve at Dig & Dive in Wilmington, NC.
  1. The serve: Take a step forward with your right foot and hit the ball at the top of the toss just before it starts to come down. Make sure to hit the ball with the heel of your palm for more power. Pro tip- Try to hit the top of the ball to create topspin that will make the ball travel in a sinking motion and thus harder to return.

 

Extra Tips and Cautions 

  • Try to aim your serve towards the back line to make the return more difficult.
  • Aim the serve towards a weaker player on the opposing team.
  • Practice using different trajectories to see what works best for you.
  • Make sure to ready yourself and get back into position after your serve.
  • You can also jump while serving to add more power and get better angles.

If you follow these steps properly and practice you will turn your serves into a weapon that can lead to more points and more victories. Serving is one of the most important parts of the game that most players overlook. Using this guide will put you a step above other players. Comments and suggestions about how to improve this guide are welcomed.

*All photos and videos taken and published by Jeffrey M. Boulden