The info campaign #365volley continues! Every day we will post interesting facts from the volleyball world, for 1 year, on our Facebook page. The materials have been researched by the international volunteers Alexandra (Portugal), Azer (Azerbaijan) and Alejandro (Spain) and prepared by Andreea (Romania). Follow us on Facebook to find out more about its history, variations, playing rules and more about this world!
Here are the March facts!
1. Right side hitter can be also called a wing spiker. Wing spikers along with the opposites are often players who score the most points in the game.
2. The record for the most people controlling volleyballs is 299 and was achieved by the people of Taiwan, at YungShin Sports Park, in Taichung County, Taiwan, on 2 October 2008. The participants controlled the ball for at least 10 seconds.
3. Opposite hitters don’t have the passing responsibilities. They stand behind the passers on the rotation while libero and outside hitters pass the ball and place themselves to the left front, right front or right back playing position. The opposite usually get the most sets in the game.
4. Often counter attack sets after the defensive play goes to the opposite hitters - they carry the responsibility of hitting the ball against a solid block when the pass is off the net.
5. Opposites need to have great blocking skills since they play against the opposite hitter of the opponent or opponent's outside hitter when in the front row. Also, they need to have defensive skills because they also play the back row where they are responsible of hitting 3 meter balls from the right back position.
6. In professional volleyball opposites along with setters have traditionally been the highest paid individuals - those are volleyball positions in most demand.
7. The setter is the playmaker, point guard or the quarterback of the volleyball team. A setter’s responsibility is to run the team’s offense and build up offensive scoring opportunities for the team.
8. The setter plays both front row and back row, therefore s/he needs to be able to block, serve and play defence. The setter needs to have good blocking skills because in front row position s/he plays against the opponent’s outside hitter who often carries big load of the attacking responsibility for the team.
9. The most volleyball smashes completed in 1 minute by a team of 4 is 9 and was set by Stephane Mathurin, Denis Damel, Sebastien Le Bosse and Stephane Faure (all France) on the set of L’Ete De Tous Les Records, in Soulac, France on 15 August 2005.
10. Middle blockers main responsibility is to stop the opponent’s offense, builds a block which stops the ball, or allows the team to dig the ball up. Middle blockers' job is to stop the opponent’s middle hitters or wing hitters in co-operation with teammates. They also need to have great attacking and serving skills.
11. Middle Blockers in the back row: in competitive volleyball middle blockers usually play defence only on one rotation - after an own serve. After losing the rally after an own serving turn, a libero usually comes in and replaces the middle blocker.
12. The middle blocker usually doesn’t master in defence because they hardly play any of it. However, at junior level practicing defence and even passing is highly recommended for the middles. Junior coaches should allow players to practice all the skills equally to ensure their overall skill development. This improves their athleticism and prepares players to play other positions - i.e. they may not be tall enough to play middle in the future.
13. The libero is fairly new position in volleyball and is a back row specialist who is allowed to play back court only. The libero wears a different colour shirt in the team and is allowed to enter and exit the game without substitution request.
14. The libero can replace any player on the court and most often replaces middle blockers. The libero is not allowed to serve the ball. (Some leagues in US allow liberos to serve.)
15. Since playing in the back court only, the libero needs to have the best passing and defensive skills in the team. The libero need to have exceptional serve receive skills because often they pass a larger area than other serve receivers in the team.
16. Aged 44 years, Karch Kiraly (the USA, b. 3 November 1960) became the oldest player to win an AVP tour title, the Huntington Beach Open, in Huntington Beach, California, USA on 13 August 2005.
17. Most leagues in United States allow unlimited substitutions; therefore very often in the team there are defensive specialists. Defensive specialists in US enter the game to replace players who in international volleyball would be playing both the front and the back row.
18. Defensive specialists carry a serve receive and defense responsibility in the back row. Defensive specialists are allowed to serve and often play the full back row rotation before giving the spot in the front row to the offensive player again.
19. Perhaps the most essential equipment in volleyball is the shoes. What should you be looking at when buying volleyball shoes?
The support and cushioning - this is provided for by the inner sole of the shoe. Padded and cushioned forefoot and rear footpads are important as volleyball players often have to spend a long day on their feet when participating in all-day tournaments
20. Having a shoe that offers you the comfort you need, will enable you to perform at your peak at all times. The midsole of the volleyball shoe is designed to absorb the shock of impact from jumping, quick stops and fast changes of direction. It also needs to be strong yet flexible to give you the best performance.
21. The stability is one of the most important aspects of a volleyball shoe. Volleyball players need to move quickly around the court in multiple directions. Quick changes of direction are also common. Moving forward, backward and left to right or vice versa quickly is imperative, you go where the ball goes.
22. This is one of the most important aspects of a Volleyball shoe. Volleyball players need to move quickly around the court in multiple directions. Quick changes of direction are also common. Moving forward, backward and left to right or vice versa quickly is imperative, you go where the ball goes
23. With a combined age of 76 years, Karch Kiraly (USA, b. 3 November 1960) and Brent Doble (USA, b. 3 January 1970) became the oldest team to win a pro beach volleyball tournament, at the Huntington Beach Open, in Huntington Beach, California, USA on 17 August 2003.
24. Having a shoe that offers the stability to cope with this type of movement is vital to prevent injuries such as rolling your ankle. It should also provide the kind of stability you need to prevent ankle injuries, and lessen the chances of you sustaining one during a game. Although most athletic shoes will provide you with the stability to move forward they may not provide the multidirectional movement necessary in a volleyball game.
25. The traction on the volleyball shoe is also vital. It needs to have a superb grip as you will be moving fast, stopping and changing direction quickly, your shoe needs to keep you stable on the ground without allowing you to slip, fall and injure yourself. The grip your volleyball shoe offers is one of the most important aspects of your shoe.
26. Volleyball is a fast and furious game that demands a lot from your feet. This means that your feet will get hot and sweaty. A shoe that allows for adequate airflow to keep your feet cool and dry is essential. The cooler your feet the more comfortable you will feel and you will perform a lot better on the courts.
27. Nonetheless, besides the shoes, you need a ball that is particular for this sport. Volleyballs are round and traditionally consist of 18 nearly rectangular panels of synthetic or genuine leather, arranged in 6 identical sections of 3 panels each, wrapped around a bladder.
28. A valve permits the internal air pressure to be adjusted. In a break from the traditional construction, in 2008, the FIVB adopted as its official indoor ball a new Mikasa with dimples and only 8 panels for a softer touch and truer flight.
29. Beach volleyballs are slightly larger than standard indoor balls, have a rougher external texture, and lower internal pressure. They can be brightly coloured or solid white. The very first volleyballs were made from leather panelling over a rubber carcass.
30. At 17 years, Xue Chen (China, b.18 February 1989) became the youngest player to win an international beach volleyball title, the China Shanghai Jinshan Open, in Shanghai, China, on 28 May 2006.
31. The equipment sure helps, but is not your only “ally” you should take into consideration. Let’s see some facts about the diet. While nutrition on the court on match day is important, a healthy eating pattern off the court will provide an essential base for a fit, fast and lean volleyball player.