Q&A for How to Be a Better Volleyball Player

You just have to let go of the fear. The ball wont hurt you unless you let it hurt you. If the ball is coming straight at your face, move back a little bit, but don't avoid the ball when you can make a play - go for it.

PRACTICE. There is no such thing as knowing how to do everything perfectly! Go out with a friend and practice something new! Try a top spin jump serve or practice blocking and jumping higher. If you know how to do everything in here, just practicing it over and over will make you a better player. No doubt about it!

Start by serving at the half court to develop power. Once you have done that and are comfortable with the motions of serving, then take a few steps back and serve again. Do it until you have reached the end line.

Water, knee pads, shorts, preferably spandex, a comfortable t-shirt, and a volleyball to use in case you need an extra one.

Try physical movements, like a smile or you can cheer on your team. These small actions will help you gain a positive mindset about volleyball. Go for a huddle or a high five after every play!

To set the ball higher, try extending your arms in the process of pushing the ball up. Push up with your legs or you can even jump and push through with enough power from your fingers.

Hit the bottom of the ball with the horseshoe part of your hand while you point your dominant foot were you want the ball to go.

Make sure the ball hits your forearms. Make the pass straight and simple. Make sure you are not moving while you pass: this changes the ball's direction (from where you want it to go).

The standard height - measured at the midpoint of the net - is just under 8 feet for men and just under 7½ feet for women. Those heights may be adjusted for very young players.

If it's underhand, take a step when you serve, and let your wrist hit the ball. Don't throw it. If it's overhand, then give a little toss, hitting it with the palm of your wrist. For practice with your overhand, smack the ball against the floor, but be careful as sometimes it can come up and hit you in the face.

You can improve the situation of the game by yelling "help" if you have trouble passing the ball or getting it to the setter. You can also have a good attitude. Being positive can make your team play better. Also, if the ball is going out of bounds (e.g. a serve from the other team), yell out so that you'll get a point if your team doesn't go after it.

Plyometric training will increase your vertical jump. Some jump rope techniques may also help. Search "vertical improvement exercises" for more ideas.

It depends on you as a volleyball player. If you practice 24-7, it takes you less time than if you practice 1 hour a week.

Practice is the most efficient way, but when you serve, make sure you keep your eye on the ball; don't toss, LIFT (kind of like an extremely weak set); make sure your hand is strong/stiff; make the motion smooth; and hit with the heel of your hand.

There is a setter, middle hitter, outside hitter, an opposite hitter, or right side hitter, and a Libero which is a defensive specialist and only plays in the back row and they usually come in for the middle hitter if they are in the back row.

You have to wear knee pads. When you dive, you bend your knees and roll, then stand quickly. You have to get used to it, and you will have bruises. A volleyball player without bruises isn't a real player.

The main skills to practice are bumping and digging, passing, setting, spiking, blocking, and serving. If you're good at all those skills, any team would be lucky to have you.

Have a teammate hit the ball high in the air and while it is in the air, jump up and hit the ball downward toward the other team on the other side of the net.

Be back a little because it will hit you in the face in the first place. Then you have a better aim because people hit the ball hard, which makes the ball go farther. In this way, you have a 99.9% of a chance of winning the games!

Try to go for the direct middle for a hard strike, but if you're going for a bit of a spin on the ball, aim slightly lower.

Keep cheering them on. Let them know that you're supporting them, eventually they will come around.

You can practice setting with just a volleyball, yourself and a wall. Just get in the proper setting position and start by controlling the ball against a wall. Begin only a few inches away from the wall and, once you get great control of the ball, step back, and do that gradually.

Always listen to your coach, say "yes sir" or "yes ma'am" and always give your teammates a cheer if they make a good play and encouragement if they don't. Also, always try your best and never give up on your ability, your coaches, or your teammates.

Strengthen your legs and work on your jumping ability. It's impossible to spike effectively unless you can reach well above the net.

I would start by talking to them directly. If they have a problem with you, try to solve it. If that doesn't work, then your next step should be to go to your coach and let them know how the other players are treating you; the coach might be able to talk to them and correct the behavior. If nothing else works, then simply ignore them and focus on the game.

Watch how the eighth graders play and try to work on how hard you're hitting the ball and your accuracy. If there is a hit that the eighth graders are less experienced with, try to work on that one the most.

Get passing pads for you forearms. Over time your arms will get tougher.

I always play a game with myself in my yard or school lawn where I just try not to let the ball touch the ground. This has helped me a lot. There is also a game called "ABC" where you keep bumping/setting and try to get from A-Z without the ball hitting the ground.

Say things like "move it ladies (or guys)," "don't let the ball hit the floor if it's yours," "get down and dirty," "let's make coach proud," etc. Call people out by name. Befriend someone on the team and have them do this too. If this doesn't work, ask your coach for advice.

Don't expect to improve quickly. It takes a lot of work (as with most things). There is no specific answer to your question. Practice as much as you can. There's no such thing as too much practice (unless you injure yourself). Generally speaking, the more work you put in, the more improvement you'll see.