Jump serve

Posted June 27, 2009 * Comments(0)

jumpserve

In 1999 I watched Karch Kirily playing at a World Tour event in Lignano, Italy. He was jump serving at about 60% for almost the whole game, and I couldn’t work out why? it looked like he was just rolling the ball at his opponents so they could smack it back at him.

Since then I have played a lot of beach, and played a couple of seasons indoor, and I now have a pretty solid theory on why the worlds greatest beach volleyballer would be hitting what seemed to be a 60% top spin serve at his opponents on the World Tour.

The bottom line is that hitting an effective serve is 90% placement, 10% power. Unless you have a cannon in your shoulder, (which I don’t) even your hardest serve, will be a pretty easy pass if it’s hit straight at your opponent.

On the other hand, a slow loopy jump serve right to a deep corner is very likely to produce a bad pass at the very least.

Here’s an idea for your next two weeks training.

Develop a 50% jump serve that goes in every time.

Use that server every time you hit a serve in training, even in drills where you are just serving for another guy to work on side out. (This will help you to find a comfortable speed to hit that ball that produces a reliable serve.)

Start to experiment with a deep roll, a short serve, deep cross corner, line corner, and anything else you can think of. Work on moving the passer rather than hitting aces.

Once you are happy that you can roll a jump serve in whenever you need to. (I.e. as consistently as a safe float serve) start experimenting with a little more pace and a flatter trajectory.

Things to remember:

  • Keep the ball toss directly above your hitting shoulder
  • Stay nice and relaxed, with a smooth arm swing
  • Contact the ball as high as possible
  • Don’t try to hit the ball hard, just focus on a clean contact. (Power will come easily once the timing is good)
June 27, 2009 * Add your comment!(0)


Beach volleyball online store open

Posted June 12, 2009 * Comments(0)

Last week I spent far too long tracking down an ice pack for the tendonitis that seems to have reared it’s ugly head once again, so I decided to set up an Amazon store with a selection of packs to save you guys the time, when you finally get as old as I am and start bleeding to death through your patellars.

I found a few other things that seemed to be relevant, some good books, some nice sand booties for you guys training down in Tassy, (and all you weaklings in Sydney who think that they need socks for morning training in June). Some beach volleyball. If your in Europe, and have never tried playing with the Wilson AVP ball. Buy one. They are awesome. Easily better than the Mikasa.

So here it is. The Beach training online store, for your convenience and shopping pleasure ;-)
Check it out at http://astore.amazon.com/beactrai-20

June 12, 2009 * Add your comment!(0)


Warm up drill

Posted June 3, 2009 * Comments(0)

This is a simple warm up drill that makes warming up a little more interesting and is good practice for basic skills.

After a light jog and stretch, start a 2 on 2 game to 21 points.

Each change of ends, the rules change to incorporate more activity and a wider range of skills.

Rules for the first 7 points: 2 touches allowed per team. Under arm digging only.

Rules for the next 7 points: 2 touches allowed per team, under arm digging and hitting or poking without jump. (block jump is allowed)

Rules for the next 7 points: 3 touches allowed per team, all skills, but no jumping, (block jump is allowed)

Rules for the next 7 points: Normal game play, but no power hitting, only roll shots and cut shots.

Rules for the next 7 points: If the game is still going, everything is allowed until finished.

June 3, 2009 * Add your comment!(0)


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