How can an adult get better at volleyball?

Question

I'm 40 and I've always liked volleyball, but I'm awful at it so I rarely play out of consideration for the other people on the court. But I finally got up the nerve to join a local, supposedly easy league and I've attended every week for about 5 weeks.

Well - every week I get worse! Practice is supposed to make perfect..... But I've played this game since junior high and based on the way I play, my teammates guess I've never played before. Seriously, I'm getting worse every week. And ya know your teammates don't like it when you only get the ball over the net 10% of the time.

I'm not athletic, but this is one of the ways I'd like to keep fit. But I can't keep going and spoiling everyone else's game. What can I do between weeks to get better, especially at spotting and getting to the ball?

Or do you think I should just give up out of consideration to the others?

Answer 1

practice doesn't make perfect. "perfect" practice makes perfect! seems like your getting worse. even your teammates guess you've never played? most of your comments are so so negative. even if they are true accounts,

you may have to change the way you go into these games. remember the little choo choo? having the desire is the first key. the second is mind-set. that little choo choo didn't say i want to,  i want to... he actually thought he could. you have the desire, you just need a better approach.   do you perform warm -up exercises before you  play?

what about volleying back and forth to each other? how about "setting" to each other? what about overhead servin? digging?  im assuming you must shine at one aspect of the game. maybe you are a good blocker? a killer spiker?

the thing is that "40" is not old enough to just be sitting on the sidelines. the fact that your active is great.  you might also consider voulunteering on a high school volleyball team. most programs are under staffed as well as under-payed. they'll probably welcome your generosity.   while your there you can help them, and help you get better at your passion.you'll see that at practice they will be practicing.sticking to basics. ie; drills drills and more drills. "perfect practice"!  its at the game where they enjoy the fruits of their labor.  i think that you think playing will get you better. but as you may be realizing; playing badly for 5 weeks is only going to help you play badly for the next five. you may also consider purchasing online vallyball how to cd's.    good luck.  your willingness is an inspiration to us all over 40's !

Answer 2

You can teach an old dog new tricks.  You probably need to work on your basic skills.  See if you can find someone there that will work with you.  I know I'm always willing to teach someone if they want it.  Make sure you find someone who has clean skills and not some hack who thinks they are good.  As long as you have the basics down, you can perfect your style.  

There are a few things you can work on by yourself.  You can practice setting by lying on the floor and setting to yourself.  Also you can practice your hitting by hitting the ball on the ground and bouncing it off a wall back to you.  Bumping is the most important skill.  Your team won't get a good set and hit, without a good bump.  This skill is best practice with someone else.  Also you will need to practice your serve with a net, although the hitting drill I mentioned may also improve your control with a serve.  I wouldn't worry about blocking until you master some of the other skills.  I play with people who are mostly in their 30's, 40's and 50's and the best player by far is in his 50's.  So don't give up hope.  If you are getting worse, you probably do not have the basic mechanics down correctly.

Answer 3

Don't gave up!!! keep practice!!! practice not make u perfect .. No body can play volley perfect . Practice can make u play better  not perfect . For start buy ur self volley ball . Practice with wall . I don't have athletic body ( I'm fat ) . But i have good passing , serve . That's the most important thing in volley . Good lucky .... The best for u ...

Answer 4

Exercise and salt and pepper with someone.  That is where you bump around with a partner.

Answer 5

Keep trying.  

Adults have more trouble learning because most playing clinics are geared toward 18 and under players.  You can go to local juniors clubs practices and watch them teach the skills.  I used to go to the University of Houston practices and just watch and listen.  (There were not any junior clubs back when I was learning.)  

Pat Powers, the former USA men's team player, runs clinics for any age.  He travels around the country.  His web site is http://www.vbclinics.com/  He sells an instructional video as well.  (I am not saying that Pat Powers is the ONLY clinic out there.  It is a good clinic that also teaches adults.)  

You can also check out your local YMCA to see if they have any instructional clinics.  I used to teach clinics at the YMCA near me.

You are not too old to play and not too old to learn.  USAV has a men's 75 and over division.    

When you play, just try to relax now.  You think you are getting worse, so you are getting worse.  Relax and just try your best.  Everyone makes mistakes.  The only people that think they do not make mistakes are not paying attention.  If you make a mistake, take a deep breath and start thinking about getting the next ball.

Answer 6

When you go to your league find someone who is a decent player and ask them to teach you some of the basics of the game. Most likely they will understand that you are looking to improve and be happy to help you. Don't let what they have to say go in one ear and out the other. Practice what they taught you during the games. Other players will notice that you are trying to use better techniques and be more appreciative of your attempts at improving.

As a player, when I attend an open gym where the skill level varies greatly, I have no problem playing next to a lesser player who is actively trying to improve. But when there are players who do not care to improve and do not mind ruining everyone elses good time, I get annoyed.

It seems like you want to get better, if you demonstrate your willingness to learn and practice what is taught, others will be more patient and understand that you are learning. Don't give up, it can be difficult but volleyball is very rewarding when you learn the game and advance your skill.