When you watch a volleyball match with high level players doing all those flashy moves at a very high pace, you just can’t help but say that this sport is quite hard to learn. But, is this really the case?
Volleyball is an easy sport to learn, but a difficult one to master. Indeed, when you start playing, the challenge is to understand the rules and execute the basic moves correctly. This is the easy part. The difficult one is to execute those techniques efficiently and at a high pace to help your team win points.
In this article, I help you identify what is actually hard about volleyball and how to deal with it correctly. I also share some tips to help speed up your learning process significantly.
What makes volleyball hard to learn?
Truth about volleyball is that it takes many hours on the practice court to get your skills to the position where they can be executed in a live game automatically.
Secondly, volleyball is a very demanding sport physically. A top volleyball player needs agility, speed and strength…
…In other words, anyone who wants to take it seriously will have to work on their general fitness to reach the appropriate stamina to play a match that may last several hours.
The challenge is not just physical! Volleyball is a team sport in the true sense of the word, and communication with teammates is a vital ingredient for success…
…This often does not just come overnight, but has to be developed over time until it becomes virtually instinctive.
Volleyball is also a game where different positions (blocker, striker, setter, libero …) require different characteristics. It might take months for a player to realise which one suits them best.
Another challenging issue compared to some other sports is that it is difficult to practice (even some of the basic moves) without at least one other person to help out.
Recommendation: I highly invite you to learn this sport fundamentals while actually practicing. This will get you ahead in the learning curve for sure. This Volleyball Book is will help you learn all the fundamentals easily and quickly.
Hardest volleyball moves …
There are some volleyball moves that are quite challenging …
Setting is often a key move because it is the one that creates the attack for the hitter
The setter needs to anticipate where the ball is going to land whilst at the same time, have the positional awareness of where the hitter is standing and the strike zone in which to direct it.
Getting those two pieces together will take some time and practice!
Accuracy is important, but also speed. Indeed, if you pass the ball too hard the hitter won’t be able to control it or get the right angle to hit it properly…
… However, if the ball is hit too slowly, the jumper may be on the descent by the time that the ball reaches them.
Hitting is another technique that takes time to fully master! It requires not only the ability to jump high, but to swing the shoulders whilst in the air, and to strike the ball in exactly the right spot to get the required direction on the ball.
Again, positional awareness is important. A good hitter needs to know not only where the setter will deliver the ball, but they also need to be aware where the opposition’s blockers are likely to be as well.
They may also be able to improvise, and instead of relying on the smash, produce the odd dink to fool their opponents.
Any player may be required to dig during a game. This requires both excellent reflexes (especially while defending) and great agility.
In the first place somebody needs to go to ground very fast, and then keep the ball sufficiently high for another teammate to continue the play.
This needs good eye to hand coordination, strength in the upper arms and hands, and the ability to withstand any jolts that may result from coming into contact with the court.
How long does it take to learn volleyball on average?
There is no hard and fast rule but, for those beginning from scratch who can practice at least twice a week, they should count on a period of between two to three years to master it.
Those who have played some ball games before, will have a head start because they will already have some understanding of ball flight, eye-hand coordination, and competitive spirit.
In particular, those who have played sports that require analogous skills, like handball and basketball, may be able to shortcut the learning curve.
In addition, those who are naturally fit will have a built-in advantage. Volleyball is a physically demanding sport, and to compete regularly, you should have a minimum of strength, agility, and stamina.
One of the most common reasons why people lose interest in the game overtime is because they were not prepared to put in the work and practice on regular basis.
Learn how to make the volleyball learning process much faster!
Tips to make the learning process easier and faster …
One way to shortcut this process is to practice more frequently, for example 4 to 5 times a week at least at the beginning!
Just (if possible) have a coach or somebody knowledgeable who can monitor your practice to not overwork yourself.
For those liking to accelerate the process there are some things that can be done …
Firstly, find a regular team with whom you can practice and play actual games. It is possible to learn the game by itself, but it is ultimately a team sport and you will learn much faster with others.
Try also and pick one that has a professionally qualified coach. They will be able to guide you in the basic techniques of the game and spot any flaws that you may have picked up.
Establish a practice routine and stick to it. Do not be tempted to skip sessions because you do not feel like playing or have something better to do.
Take every opportunity to watch the sport on television or by attending a game live. Watch how the professionals do it, study their techniques, and try to copy that the next time you find yourself on court.
Remember to try and have fun (Learn how to make volleyball practice fun). It is a competitive sport, but like any activity, it is much easier to learn if the process is an enjoyable one.
How hard is learning volleyball by yourself?
It is possible to learn volleyball by yourself, provided that you have access to enough space, a ball and a wall, or perhaps a roof.
The advantage of this is that there are no distractions from other players, and an individual can concentrate just on their basic techniques.
It is also possible to study the tips and advice of leading players and coaches which can be found on YouTube and other social media platforms.
Neither of these solutions is ideal, however. Volleyball is the ultimate team sport and to get better at it, more than one person is usually required for a practice session.
You can learn how to practice your volleyball skills just by yourself!
How does the age impact the learning process?
The ideal age to start learning volleyball is when a person is approaching puberty or is still in their early teens.
Beginning earlier than that is not advisable because of the physical demands that the game makes, and the learning that the game requires would put off many young people generally.
Many people begin to learn the game when they are much older than that, and there is nothing wrong with that in itself …
However, if they hope to play the game at a competitive level, then they have probably missed the boat because of the years that it takes to become fully adept at the sport.
By the time they reach their prime as volleyball players, they will have passed their peak of physical fitness.
Keep in mind that volleyball is considered by many as a lifetime sport!
Are some volleyball positions harder to learn than others?
The setter is probably the most important position on any volleyball team, and, therefore, also the hardest to learn.
The setter is the person who is in charge of the offence, and it is his responsibility to set the ball up for one of his colleagues to attempt a spike.
He is usually the second person to touch the ball after a serve has been returned, and he needs to be aware of the position of all their team-mates, deciding in an instant who is best placed to receive the final pass.
He also needs to be able to execute the pass so that it is accurate and delivered at the right speed and height.
At the same time, he needs to possess a degree of cunning, so that he can out-think opposing blockers and can create one-on-one opportunities for hitters.
A good setter has spatial awareness, and well-honed decision making abilities allied with the ability to move around the court quickly.
He also needs to be good diggers, excellent communicators, and team leaders.
For more useful info, I highly recommend checking those 2 posts:
Volleyball learning process compared to other sport …
Volleyball is harder than sports like soccer and basketball. Indeed, in those two sports, anybody can begin, at the basic level, with their own way of kicking, receiving and throwing the ball.
However, volleyball moves need to be done in a specific way! So, even for the absolute beginner, there is a lot to learn – from serving to retrieving the ball, and performing moves like the set, the dig, and the spike.
One more thing, new players need to deal with, is the fact that volleyball is the ultimate team sport. Indeed, soccer and basketball techniques can be honed individually, but for volleyball it is very difficult to do this without at least one other person being involved.
Volleyball rules are generally harder to learn comparing to other sports like soccer or basketball, especially at the beginning when you are figuring out what the sport is about.
Practice is also challenging … In fact, it is easy to kick a soccer ball or to throw and dribble a basketball. Any individual can practice these skills by themselves. However, volleyball is a team sport, and needs a minimum of two players to play or practice.
On last thing, sports likes soccer or basketball can be practiced in a backyard or area of waste ground. However, it could be challenging to do so with volleyball which normally requires a special court, or area of beach.
Helpful Tip: There are few ways you can deal with this last constraint. The best way I recommend is to have a portable net that you can easily set almost anywhere so you can start practicing with your partner (s). This quality portable net is a good example.
Bottom Line
The goal of this article is not to discourage you from playing volleyball (by any means). Instead, I just want you to be aware of the couple challenges that come with volleyball in advance so you can learn how to deal with them properly. Indeed …
Those who fail to do so, are usually those who only get so far in this beautiful sport.
I just don’t want you to fall into this trap!