Do you HATE your partner?
To me, partners who act like butt holes is the worst thing about the game, in second place is opponents who act like butt holes!
Beach volleyball, like many "individual type" sports just seems to be one of those sports that produces and/or attracts some bad attitudes and/or arrogant insecure people.
The most common type of partner to hate is "The Blamer."
I’ve played with blamers who are very, very good players, and that was challenging at best, but somewhat worth it - maybe???
Playing with blamers that are very much on the same level as you is not worth it, especially in a tournament – (a pick-up game or doing drills every now and again can be ok)
I’ve been a ‘bad attitude’ partner and a ‘mental midget’ - and it does take some specific focus and training to move on from that (I still get pissed at an opponent who is being a total dick!)
BUT – if you HATE your partner, meaning:
You really don’t like the person off the court because they are a jerk most of the time,
When they are on the court, they are a jerk to play with, (and they are not a much better player than you so they don’t make your game better on a skill level)
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE – graciously move on and don’t play with them
Why?
Over time you may see them in a different light ‘off the court’ and find something to like about them – it’s more important to do what you can about respecting people off the court – trying to do this when you are also playing with them is just too difficult most of the time
Beach volleyball is too great of a game to waste on people who don’t even try to ‘get it’.
Yes when you play with partners that you hate it can be a great time to practice your mental skills and ability to focus, but I don’t see any virtue in going out of your way to play with people like that.
Every game and every drill is a great opportunity to work on your mental focus - even if you’re playing with nicest people in the world like say, Mother Teresa or the Dali Lama – it’s a little known fact that Mother Teresa had a wicked jump serve! - ;>)
- First off, Beach Volleyball is a GAME – games are supposed to be fun, challenging and rewarding (although games are not perfect and neither are the people who play them!)
- Next, games are something you DO, they are not who you ARE and clearly the person who is a total jerk on and off the court doesn’t want to see the difference.
WHAT TO DO?
Find someone to play with that loves the game and truly wants to get better as a player and a human being – they don’t even have to be as good as you but they do have to want to give it all they got (no matter what the score) – or at least learn how to do that.
You will have much more fun and improve much quicker.
It’s ok to get emotional and be ‘not so nice’ to your partner or your opponent, it happens (but don’t make a habit of it or think it doesn’t leave a mark on you or those you play with or against) – apologize as soon as you possibly can –and take responsibility for your actions.
AND choose to play with people who are at least willing to do the same, most of the time.
You don’t have too much control as to who you play against in a tournament but you do have control as to who you play with.
I hope this helps a little – feel free to ask questions or make comments. There’s a ton more that can be said about this but it’s a start.
All the very best to you!
Dan
Be Your VERY Best!
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