Any Volleyball Players Out There?

Question

I am 5'8 and an outside hitter and I have a friend who is 5'3 and wants to be a hitter but really can't jump high enough. We are gonna be starting high school and she is gonna try out for the team with me but I really think she would be better in the back row, how can I tell her this softly?

Answer 1

well im 5'3" too and im middle hitter. last year i couldnt jump as high as i can now and its because my legs are in shape more than last year. jus tell her to do some leg excersizes, but it depends on when tryouts are. im not sure she can get in shape in a couple days but...hope i helped.

Answer 2

Practice with her and say lets work on back row a little and then when you see her play you should say REALLY happily you should say  you should play back row you are amazing at it and then make a comment like your surely make the team!

Answer 3

Hi there! My suggestion would be for both of you to work on all the skills related to volleyball, and at the tryout, let the COACHES decide who might fit at what position. To try to shape someone without the coaches input might not be helpful for anyone. One of the most talented kinds I worked with was only 5'5", but she could play middle if you needed her to!

Answer 4

If she truly can't jump high enough to hit, then she'll be told that by the coach. Don't worry about that. If you try to change her excitment, she might decide to not tryout at all.

You may try to tell her to get better at basics, tell her that hitters must pass and set too.

Every beginner wants to hit, it's the most dynamic and exciting play in Volleyball... if you don't know the sport or are very new to it.

Those who DO know the sport understand the value of being a high quality defensive player, or setter, etc. They also get the same feeling digging a hard driven ball that a beginner player gets from hitting the ball. I'm not saying there aren't experienced players that like hitting more. I'm just saying that when a newcomer watches a volleyball game for the first time, all they see is the hit. They don't even realize the work that goes into that hit (a pass, a set, and finally they hit) Everyone but the hitter might as well be invisible.

Much like when a casual fan watches football. The offensive line is pretty much invisible to them and all they see is the QB dropping back and throwing a great pass to a flashy WR. The truth is without an offensive line, the play would have never happened the way it was designed. That's why every young football player wants to be a QB or WR (or RB). Those positions are more marketable.

She is too new yet to understand the value of the team in the sport of volleyball. Let your coaches decide where she plays. If you try to coach her too much, she might get offended and you might lose a future teammate or worse yet, a good friend.

Answer 5

I definately wouldn't tell her.  Its not your place, let the coaches.  You might be able to explain to her some of the basics like the fact that back row players can attack from the back row just like front row players.  

Answer 6

hey, she can be a hitter but just not from what ur thinkin..... she should try to work on jumping and squats so she can be able to jump to block but im the outside hitter and i barely even go over the top of the net.... i just know what to do and where to go and she would be perfect for backrow cause ther realy important too.... by the way im only 5'5 and im reeely good

Answer 7

It all really depends if your friend can hit a ball over then net.  I'm only 5'1, and I can hit over the net fine - I can't jump high, at all!  But you can suggest hitting the ball off the net, it makes it a lot easier for shorter people.  If she really can't hit a ball at all, though, then I'd just l try to convince or teach her new skills for back row, such as digging, pancaking, or diving for the ball.  Maybe if she learns to do a back row skill better, she'll enjoy it more.

Answer 8

Don't tell her let the coaches tell her, if you try and tell her she might think that you see her as a threat, and get really stubborn about it.