Volleyball phobia?

Question

i dont know why, im really really afraid of the volleyball. im a sophomore in high school & ever since i started playing volleyball (6th grade) i have been really really SCARED. In middle school, i have gone as far as thinking about hiding in the school library or bathroom to avoid playing volleyball during PE periods. rite now i have a volleyballunit for highschool and I DONT KNOW WAT TO DO :[ i TRY to get myself to TRY and hit the ball but i always cant. its really hard to explain. when the ball comes flying forward my automatic involuntary response is to flinch and step out of the way. i really feel bad, cause im the only one that doesnt contribute to my team but i really dont know wat to do. & wat im most afraid of is my grade! my PE teacher gives you ZERO points for the day if you are not participating & trying to hit the ball. but i DO TRY TO TRY to hit the ball.. :[

please help, i really dont know wat to do.

Answer 1

i think you should try to make your way very close to the net or very far back. very close to the net you can just jump up and put your hands together like   \   /   [left hand and right hand]. in the BACK row just stay relaxed. its not going to hurt you!! ive been hit in the face with a volleyball going VERY fast. but in the back row try to put your hands together like this http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=nfmc8i&s... [the girl on the left] and just let it bounce off your arms.

Answer 2

just keep trying as practice make perfect, you will eventually get it right. if you are not sure, you can ask your coach or someone who have a lot of experience in this.

Answer 3

A volleyball wont hurt you. just step in front of it and play the ball. If you are really worried about your grade talk to your teacher about it maybe he/she will let you write a report or something instead of playing

Answer 4

do something else.  i don't like heights so i'm not bungie jumping. it's ok not to like to be involved w/ everything.

Answer 5

i would just practice at home and maybe try to relax!!! it isnt going to hurt that bad!!! and hit the ball as hard as you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! smack it into someone that you hate's face!!!!!!!

Answer 6

One, if you know you're trying, that should be good enough for the teacher.

Here are some suggestions:

1) Know that the ball is just enclosed air and unless it's hit by a college vball player it won't hurt.

2) If you don't want to hit it, ball up your hand and swing at the ball. It'll get the ball away from you and you'll have done your best to hit it.

3) Pretend the ball is a person you hate or that the teacher was going to give you another zero. The anger will replace the fear and you just might hit the ball. Sure, it might go a million miles out, but hey, you hit it didn't you?

4) If your teacher is giving you zeros for the day, calmly tall him/her that you have a problem focusing when the ball come towards you. Let the teacher know you're doing the best you can do.

Hope this helped! :)

Answer 7

I have two suggestions:

1. You can relax and know that the ball doesn't hurt you so much that it is going to injure you. Just be thankful it's not heavy like a basketball.

2. Pretend it is your enemy. If you picture their face on the ball, you can pretend you're hitting them.

I hope this helped you to be a little more comfortable around the ball.