Beach Training » Skills

Defensive blocking drill

Tristo — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:19:12 +0000

There is a lot to learn as a blocker in beach volleyball. This little video shows a training session I did last week working on a defensive technique that is very important to learn as a blocker.

It deals with a situation where the attacker plays a poky just over the top of your block. This is actually often quite easy to defend, if yuo use the correct technique. Without the correct technique, you will probably lose the point every time.

The video includes a simple drill and a game that is good for warm ups.

Great laydown example

Tristo — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:48:37 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I put up a video describing the Beach volleyball Laydown technique. I was just surfing Youtube and came across a great example of why this technique is so much better than a regular dive. Check out the first dig in this rally. Notice how the back court player hits the sand, makes the dig and is back to his feet almost instantly. If he had dived and allowed his chest to land on the sand, then he would not have been back to his feet nearly as quickly.

I think it’s Todd Rogers making the play… surprise, surprise.

The secret to setting a beach volleyball correctly

Tristo — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:04:38 +0000

This is the first in a three part series of short videos to help you get on the right track with your beach volleyball setting. This video shows what is probably the most important part of the entire movement, without which, it’s just about impossible to perform a good set.

It’s all in the wrists!

Beach volleyball defence – the “Lay down”

Tristo — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:09:16 +0000

Chasing and digging a line shot is one of the most exciting plays in beach volleyball. This video explains one of the techniques used by professional player to make a full length dive at a ball, but still maintain balance and control as they make the dig.

The laydown is a great technique to learn and it will definitely help you to make more defensive plays.

I learnt this technique from a good friend of mine who runs coaching sessions at Manly Beach. If you are ever in Sydney, sign up for a class at beachvolleyball.com.au.

Is this a revolution in Hand Setting rules?

Tristo — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 01:39:35 +0000

If the new rules laid out by the FIVB are interpreted by referees the way I read it, then anyone who learned to set a volleyball longer than two weeks ago is going to need to change their technique.

Here is the opening paragraph of the new definition:

“During the action of players setting overhand with fingers, the ball must be played with one quick motion. There must not be any significant movement of the ball downwards whilst in the hands and the ball may not visibly come to rest in the player’s hands.”

Now if you take the second highlighted section literally, “ There must not be any significant movement of the ball downwards whilst in the hands”, then even players like Phil Dalhausser might need to speed up his action.

So one of two things will happen. Either players will change the way they set, or referees will choose to interpret the words “significant movement” as “more movement than what we consider a good set.” (i.e. no change in the rules)

See the AVF video and explanation here: http://www.avf.org.au/index.php?id=1361

What do you think? Are these new rules going to help simplify the hand setting rule, or is it just another argument on centre court waiting to happen?