Last week we attempted to describe how to get into the physical rhythm of attacking the ball in beach volleyball.
In short, consistently pass the ball well and you have a 'sporting chance' of getting into rhythm, consistently pass the ball all over the damn place and you don't!
Shocking... but I got a little long-winded and the blog on rhythm and timing turned into a 2 Part blog and now it's going to be a 3 Part blog - Part 3 will be next week!
Let's take a quick left turn and talk about the setter in regards to the rhythm and timing of hitting.
To be a great partner you must communicate very well AND never give up on the play or your partner.
This very much includes during the serve receive! You need to be unquestionably clear as to who is going to pass the ball.
As soon as you know you are not passing the ball you MUST aggressively move to the net in a straight line toward the passers side of the court. (your first step is toward your partners side of the court and also forward toward the net rather than straight in-front of you)
As you are quickly moving to the net and to your partners side of the court, you are also watching the passer because if it isn't a great pass you can adjust to the ball and still do everything possible to make a great set.
If you came from playing indoors, or on grass or play with people who played indoors you will swear on your grandmothers grave that the passer is supposed to pass the ball to the setter in the middle of the court and somewhat close to the net. And you are correct -
IF you are playing indoor volleyball, BUT YOU ARE NOT...
This is about 2 person beach /sand volleyball!
Indoors, the setter is "god"/ the focal point of the team - everything revolves around the setter - everyone goes to work to set up the setter and make the setters life "easier".
THIS IS A VERY KEY POINT: In 2 person beach / sand volleyball - the passer / hitter is "god" - the setter must go to work for the passer / hitter and do EVERYTHING possible to make it easier for the passer / hitter.
If you want, beach / sand volleyball can be played with an indoor mentality, but it won't be played very well and it will have ugly rhythm and timing - sound fun? Heck NO! - and it's even uglier to watch! ;>)
Indoor volleyball is a great game and has its own mentality, strategies, rhythm and timing; IT DOES NOT have the same mentality, strategies, rhythm and timing of beach / sand volleyball - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT get the 2 mixed up!
To set well you need to move your feet like a cat, be willing to literally 'pounce' into position at the last moment, land balanced and then set using your entire body. The weight of your body, as well as your hips and shoulders need to move in the exact direction you want the set to go in - and I mean EXACT direction!!
Like passing, the set goes in the direction of the balanced weight of your body - if your body isn't balanced and the weight and position of your body isn't going in the exact direction you want the set to go in - you will not help your partner with the rhythm and timing of hitting.
Setting is an exact science -
A bad set,
A setter who doesn't know where to go or how to get there,
or a lazy setter
Will pretty much guarantee that the rhythm and timing of attacking the ball will be totally screwed up!
Or, the setter can help give more rhythm to play, or even create rhythm when there really wasn't any because of a bad pass, IF they work their butt off - it's up to you!
In short - the setter must do everything possible to make the play better and help the hitter.
What the setter does or doesn't do is an extremely important part of the rhythm and timing of hitting.
FYI: PLEASE make the play better EVERY time you contact the ball - you are either helping the rhythm of the play or destroying it!
Next Week Part 3 of 'The Timing of Attacking the Ball in Beach Volleyball'
Until then,
Be Your VERY Best!
Dan
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