Please explain volleyball formats and levels for me!?

Question

I am an intermediate volleyball player -- I have never played organized but have played regularly for the last three summers with friends. This year, I want to join a league, but I don't understand the terminology.

The league I am looking at is a "Co-ed 3's"/"Co-ed Triples" league with level choice of "Open", "A/BB", and "B".

It is my understanding that "co-ed triples" means my team needs to be three members with at least one female, is that correct? So, if I have myself, plus another male, and a female, then I am okay?

Secondly, what skill level do I want? For simplicity let's say that no one on my team has played beyond high school level.

Thanks!

Answer 1

First off, co-ed triples could be either 1 guy and 2 girls or vice versa. If it is reverse (where men hit behind the 10-foot line and the net is at women's height) there is usually 1 guy and 2 girls. Check with the league organizer for clarification. Bottom line is it's a good idea to have a sub for each s*x.

As far as skill level, experience has nothing to do with it; ability does. Some general rules of thumb:

* Open level - Consistent, powerful jumpserving is common. Most sets are hand sets, passes are near the net. Consistently uses 3 hits per side, sometimes with an "on-two" hit. Ball is consistently hit in play. Blocking is a strong skill and is consistently done. Capable of strong hits from the 10-foot line.

* Sometimes A is its own level. When this is the case, hand sets are required to be tighter. Consistent hitting and passing are the norm--these are usually the people who would play Open if they were taller or could jump higher.

* A/BB level - Jumpserving somewhat common but less powerful and consistent. 3 hits used on most plays. Many hits out out of bounds, but fairly consistent volleying takes place. Some blocking. Hand setting is common but not the majority. Passing is usually consistent, but not as precise as Open level.

* B level - can get most serves over the net, sometimes requires an underhand serve to do so. Overhand serving inconsistent. Jumpserving rare if at all. Sets are usually bump sets due to inconsistent hand setting. 3 hits are sometimes used. Hits are inconsistent.

Even though you have not played organized before, do you know the rules (i.e. what is a clean hand set, what is considered a hard driven ball, what is a dump or dink?) If not, play B and learn them.

If you know the rules, are familiar with a 6-2 offense, and pass, hit and set well half the time, you need to be in A/BB, since you will not improve playing B for long.

Don't play Open. If you are asking this question you do not belong there. That's not an insult! I don't play there and I've been at it for 12 years!

Good luck!