Three Ways Your Beach Game Hurts Your Indoor Game
- Nuances of the Game
There are three slight differences in outdoor volleyball that can effect your indoor game. They are ball types, number of players on the court and strategy. Beach volleyballs are heavier and thus move more slowly. When you switch to the indoor game, you'll have to get used to a faster moving ball and a faster moving game. You'll have much less reaction time than you're used to. With six players on the court instead of two, you'll have a more solid block to deal with. Outside you may have gotten accustomed to having just one blocker to hit around. Indoors you'll likely have two to three. Lastly, your strategy may need an adjustment. That roll shot to the corner that worked every time on the sand may not fall indoors. You'll have to refine your ball placement to get the put away.
- Ball Control
That heavier beach ball has another effect to be aware of - it is easier to control than the indoor ball. That may mean that when you hit the gym instead of the beach, your passing and digging suffer. Indoors you have to have the perfect touch to get that perfect pass. That means judging the speed of the serve or the attack, making sure your platform is solid and taking some heat off of the ball if necessary to get the ball right on top of the setter's head. - The Return of Structure
Most likely, your outdoor play was for fun, on your own time and with your friends. When you move indoors, if you are playing for your high school or club team you'll likely have a coach who will implement a practice or work out regimen that can be a shock to the system. Add to that the fact that you're now fighting for a starting spot and you have many more teammates than you do outside. This adds personality conflicts, and possibly some politics that you'll also have to deal with. Remember, that you've entered a whole new realm when you venture into the gym and take all these changes in stride.