Just because I haven't been writing blogs for a while, doesn't mean I've left out one of the most important parts: Answering questions. I went back a ways trying to make sure I found all the queries that have been neglected but not forgotten. I will leave them all anonymous, for appearance sake (One day I'll get questions from more than two people). So, with out further ado, I give thee answers:
It really depends on a few different factors. Wind direction, severity, and consistency.
Whether its a side wind or a headwind will is factored into which side of the court we'll choose, what part of the endline we want to serve from, whether to step back or forward on serve receive, sometimes even which player will be hitting with or against the wind on what side of the court.
On a calm day, no adaptation is required, but the stronger the wind, the more drastic the adjustments that need to be made.
Wind consistency is probably the toughest factor to adjust to. A very gusty day will make the ball move in any direction at any time. The less consistent the wind, the more consistent as a team we need to be. Maybe that means taking a few less risks, but keeping the ball in play. Trying to force the opponents to make errors rather than go for the direct kill all the time.Slightly off topic, I'm glad there's a question about wind, because its the perfect opportunity to put up a few pictures I took just recently here in Marseille, France. Marseille is renowned for consistently being the windiest tournament on tour every year. (Note the bending flagpoles)
Judging by the length of that first answer, this could be a long one folks. Bear with me.
When you're playing against a beach opponent who is left-handed, how does this affect your beach game? In your experience, do many beach VB lefties actually convert to right-handed styles of play?
I don't find it affects how I play at all. Lefties are exactly the same as righties, just in reverse. Everything I would do against a right handed player on the rightside, I would do against a southpaw on the left. Every individual has their own style of play. Like snowflakes, no two opponents are the same, Be they right or left handed, every opponent gets their own game plan. Which, coincidentally, is the perfect lead in to the question.
When you study your opposition what do you look for and how does it improve your understanding of the game?
When making a game plan, it's time to get mean. We're looking to pinpoint every little weakness that the opponent has, and exploit it to our benefit. If we could break down every facet of an opponents game to the point that we knew exactly what they would do, and when, then volleyball would be easy. The problem is, just like there are no identical players, there are also no identical games. Nobody does the same thing every single time, but everybody has preferences. Sometimes an opponents favorite shot plays perfectly into our defensive style, in which case, we want him to do that as much as possible. If someone plays in a way that we aren't comfortable with, then its our job to figure out how to make them play the way we want them to.
The key is staying one step ahead, because the whole time that we're analyzing our opponents, their gaze is directed right back at us, often in just as piercing a glare.
To finish off today we have a fun question that I answered in my head within about 10 seconds:
Which newspaper cartoon character would you want to be and why?
This may or may not surprise you, depending on how well you know me. My answer is Garfield. Especially after a difficult day of training or playing, all I want to do is sleep and eat, and who better personifies that post exertion desire as the fat cat himself.
I'm actually kind of curious as to what other comic strip characters get idolized. Please leave a comment answering the question yourself if you have the time. Let's see how many more Garfield's there are out there.
Cheers,
Ben Jammin
When you study your opposition what do you look for and how does it improve your understanding of the game?
When making a game plan, it's time to get mean. We're looking to pinpoint every little weakness that the opponent has, and exploit it to our benefit. If we could break down every facet of an opponents game to the point that we knew exactly what they would do, and when, then volleyball would be easy. The problem is, just like there are no identical players, there are also no identical games. Nobody does the same thing every single time, but everybody has preferences. Sometimes an opponents favorite shot plays perfectly into our defensive style, in which case, we want him to do that as much as possible. If someone plays in a way that we aren't comfortable with, then its our job to figure out how to make them play the way we want them to.
The key is staying one step ahead, because the whole time that we're analyzing our opponents, their gaze is directed right back at us, often in just as piercing a glare.
To finish off today we have a fun question that I answered in my head within about 10 seconds:
Which newspaper cartoon character would you want to be and why?
This may or may not surprise you, depending on how well you know me. My answer is Garfield. Especially after a difficult day of training or playing, all I want to do is sleep and eat, and who better personifies that post exertion desire as the fat cat himself.
I'm actually kind of curious as to what other comic strip characters get idolized. Please leave a comment answering the question yourself if you have the time. Let's see how many more Garfield's there are out there.
Cheers,
Ben Jammin
Hey Ben!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is interesting, nice to hear where you are playing every once in a while. I would agree with you about choosing Garfield. In my opinion nothing sounds better than being a cat who sleeps in the sun, eats all day, and plays but only on their time. Best of luck on your next tourney! Take care!
Cousin Andrea