Why You Should Play Volleyball

Volleyball is a great sport for people looking to belong to a team, get a good workout, be a part of something exciting, and be recognized for their efforts. Check out these facts about volleyball if you're still not convinced, they go from the most basic to the most exciting in my opinion!

The Basics:

There are six people on your side of the court at any given time, plus more on the bench.

You stay on your side of the court until a game is over, usually best two out of three or three out of five depending on what level you're at and if it's club or school volleyball, and switch sides until the match is over.

You only get three touches on the ball when it's on your side, then it has to go back over or you lose the rally and the point.

Volleyball can be as simple or as advanced as you're comfortable with. Different levels have different ways to play, and different clubs will have different goals for the season. You can search for a team that is just looking for even playing time and to improve everyone's skills, a team that is only out to win, or a nice mix in-between.

You are really close to your teammates. Literally. The court is pretty small and you're always inside of it, unless you're sitting out, but you're still right next to the action. You learn a lot about responsibility and a lot about trusting your teammates.

It's easy to be a stand-out athlete, while it's also hard to be disregarded. Every contact is important, and the volleyball tends to get moved around the court pretty equally. Your efforts won't be forgotten about, even if it's not the contact that gets the point. If you work hard at improving your game and become an excellent player, that will show.

Momentum can build quickly, be lost quickly, and swing a match either way with just one contact. In volleyball there are a lot of fast contacts, every rally someone HAS to score, and momentum can be one of the easiest ways to get a string of points, often leading your team to victory.

Volleyball can be played by extremely athletic, in-shape people as well as people that aren't in the best shape. Again, there are many different levels of play, and with every sport the more athletic people will have an edge, but volleyball can be won using mostly tactics and strategies instead of relying on power and athleticism. I've seen older people with a knowledge of the game easily beat a team of younger kids because they played smart and knew where to put the ball.

There are many different kinds of volleyball. There's indoor, outdoor, doubles, 6's, quads, sand, beach, grass... Basically if you can put up a court somewhere you can play volleyball. And even if there isn't a court you can practice your skills against a wall, over a rope, or just with a partner in a little bit of open space.

Volleyball is an exciting sport at all levels and has a lot to teach it's players about the sport and life in general. Search for what opportunities you have locally and give it a try!