I Freak when the ball comes my way... help!?

Question

Okay I play DS and when someone serves at me its usually pretty hard and i freak out because i dunnno i think I will miss it or something. and i get all distracted and scared and usually do miss it. then my teammates get mad at me and its like.. chaos. there are so many thoughts going through my head so what should I do to help me relax and have confidence to know i cant get the ball to the setter easily? thanks i know its confusing butall help is appreciated!

Answer 1

Frankly a DS should be ready to take all "hits", including those from your teammates.

Watch some video of professional players might help you understand how hard a serve or spike could be at higher level, and help you decide whether you like to be a DS or not (further more, whether you still like this volleyball game or not). If your answer is yes, you basically just have to "throw" yourself into this mix and you will have to be THE Hero coming out of it.

In real games you may not have the leisure talking about relax and fun... it is all about winning, for yourself and your team, for your self-respect and your pride.

It would be a shame if you think too much about anything else... just kidding.

Answer 2

you gotta just know that you are going to get the pass, you have to want the ball. when i am playing defense i always talk to myself in my head and say please serve at me, hit me, and stuff like that and i get a better pass that way. also just dont be scared, its not going to hurt at all

Answer 3

i beg people to serve it to me...games  ..practice...yell at them to serve it to you....show them and yourself you are invincible

Answer 4

#1. You're a DS - you should be expecting the ball comes to you every time.  Want it.  Expect it.  Do it.

#2. Lower your expectations.  Whenever I play golf and have a long putt, I imagine that the hole is 5 feet around and I just want to get the ball in that huge hole.  I don't want to make the 30' putt, just get it close.  Don't worry about making a perfect pass, just get it in the air (and on your side) and let the setter deal with it. Eventually, you'll get a handle on each ball and start popping them up to the setter.  

#3.  Never, ever, EVER, let anyone else play your ball.  Get to every ball first and pass it or dig it.  All of my best DS's lead the team in touches.  They never, ever back down and I never give them a chance to.  Play as many balls as you can & if you don't, don't complain when you're sitting on the bench.

Answer 5

all you have to do is get in your stance to pass, put your arms out, and the ball should bounce right off of them. if the serve is really hard you don't have to move your arms just put them out there and your arms should just absorb the ball and bounce off. also don't let your team get you down because your going to make bad plays and mess up it's apart of playing. when you get upset on the court and get negative it travels to everyone and by then the whole team is down. work at it and you'll do fine.