Volleyball: Tips on hitting and blocking when I am short? Please!?

Question

I have my 3rd day of tryouts and I am a freshmen so its unlikely for me to make the team, but on the third day (tomarrow) I feel like I want it more than I ever have wanted something, I am short and the tryouts have grades 9-12, I just barely block above the net, blocking is necessary for making the team and hitting, so what can I do in a night to help me reach? I have been training all summer but I just barely make it. Help?? Other volleyball tips??

Answer 1

In one night, you can't do much, really.  Try not too eat too heavy before tryouts do you can jump at your personal maximum without being weighed down.  Also, make sure you're really doing the form properly, with well-bent knees to spring high.

For the future, practice jumping by running steps, jumping steps with both legs, and jumping steps with alternating single legs.  You can really improve a vertical that way.

Answer 2

Last minute things you can to is to slant your hands up when you block, so really you aren't stopping the ball from going over (which you might be too short to do) but your cushioning the hit to make it easier to pass.

Also try to hit up, or ask your setter to set you off the net so you can get it over and snap your wrist to bring it down.

Overnight you can't do much, but in the future one thing to try is using ankle weights when you train, and you'll jump higher when you take them off. (like swimmers wearing drag suits)

Good Luck ^^