By Todd Hicks

Are you someone who is enthusiastic about volleyball? Do you play the sport? If so, are you interested in playing on the beach? This requires a higher level of skill than playing indoors. By reading this article, you will learn how you can make a smooth transition from playing indoors to playing on the beach.

Things that are needed in beach play that may not be apparent in indoor play include physical strength, speed, good reaction time and the ability to jump high. It is especially important to have these qualities to play on the beach because this type of game only has two players on a team as opposed to the regular existence of six people on a team. You have to cover a lot more ground on the beach.

It is vital to have a lot of upper body strength in order to overpower the other team with hard serves and strokes. You must have plenty of lower body strength to jump high to catch the ball over the net and smash it. Because there is so much ground to cover, you have to run fast and react quickly to an incoming shot. You also have to be able to dive for shots that are low and away from you and your partner.

When you only have one teammate instead of five, you have to be very prepared and do a lot of thinking. It is essential for you and your partner to create a good game plan and work out strategies.

It is necessary to have the most talented players for beach volleyball. You can spot great players based on the skills they display and the results they achieve.

Preparation is important for making an adjustment from indoor to beach play. You can practice for beach volleyball by playing on a surface that is made of sand, carpet or grass with three other people while making dives and doing other special drills.

You have learned what it takes to play volleyball on the beach. Use the information you have learned to make a smooth transition from playing indoors!

By Rod Townsend

"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." --John Maxwell.

Some people think being a leader is easy. They think all it involves is telling people what to do and when to do it. The fact of the matter is that being a leader isn't a fun job, especially on the volleyball court.

I stepped out onto the court as the starting varsity setter my sophomore year in high school. I had other leaders around me, some I could learn from, and some I could learn what not to do. Even with this year of experience, I cannot say that I was fully prepared to lead when my junior year rolled around.

Looking at a leader from the outside, either as a follower or as a parent, is nothing close to what it is actually to have the full experience. The weight of every single game rests on your shoulders, and especially so if you're the setter. (The general rule of thumb is that if a game is lost, it's the setter's fault. If it's won, it's the hitter's actions.) Thus, being a setter in a leadership position puts a huge target on one's back for criticisms from not only teammates but also parents.

To the parents, I say only that you should not get involved unless the case involves physical abuse. Beyond that, your child has decided to become a follower in that they have done what the leader has asked of them. There is nothing you should do to interfere with the leader or their methods. A leader's job is hard enough as it is without meddling parents who, most of the time, don't know the complete situation. There are always two halves to the truth: one person's side of the story, and the other side of the story.

To the followers on the court, try your best not to criticize the leader openly in public. This will usually result in some sort of mutiny, which can only bring the team down in the long run. Also, your job is to be a follower and to do what is asked of you, even if you don't agree with it. If you are so inclined, you can do the following things listed below in order to become the leader, and then to have things done your way. A lot of times, there are numerous leaders on a court. Also, being caught in between a follower and a leader is a detriment as well.

The Leader's Job:
* be respectful
* be firm
* tell people when they aren't doing well as well as when they are
* deal with the officials
* keep the team calm when necessary; fire the team up when necessary
* deal with any problems between teammates in a quick manner
* be the one to do the unwanted jobs (shagging balls, cleaning up water bottles, etc.)
* be loud on the court
* know everyone's rotation at all times
* to talk with the coach when problems arise
* be honest and direct
* be focused, serious, and intense

Types of Leaders:
* physical leaders: those who lead by example
* emotional leaders: those who can pump a team up and be supportive teammate
* informal leaders: those who are dependable players; confident, steady, consistent players
* reluctant leaders: those who lead because they have to

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

By Daniel P. Sims

Protecting Your Knees

Whether you are in practice or in a game, it is always a good idea to protect your knees. - Let's face it, sometimes you need more knee padding that you do a brace, but either way, this article can help you. We will discuss the two different types of knee brace styles so you will be better informed when it comes time to buy your future knee support.

2 Knee Brace Styles for Volleyball

Style #1 - The Padded Knee Sleeve

Sometimes you do not have any knee pain or instability problems, prior to a game. Its when you need to land on your knees, or dive for a ball to save a play that makes it important to help protect yourself. Simple knee sleeves, with padded patella protection are very beneficial for this kind of a scenario. They offer a mild level of support but they are great for providing cushion when you need it. - Usually, these braces are pull on knee sleeves that do not use a hinge.

Style #2 - Volleyball Knee Braces For Support

While the first example we talked about can give you mild levels of support, there are other volleyball knee braces to consider as well, when you have knee pain or instability issues to contend with... They can be a wrap around style and many times they include a hinge.

The Hinge and Upright Part Of Style #2 : When you see these supports you will find a hinge on either side of your knee center. These hinges will be attached to medial and lateral uprights. The premise for this kind of componentry is that excessive movements at and around the knee center can be more controlled with the use of a hinge and upright fabrication method.

Let's think about this just for a moment... When you make a move to your left or right, or there is an action which makes you hyperextend your knee, this is when injuries can happen. When someone has their foot planted on the floor and the quick twist or turn happens, for example, your knee ligaments can be compromised.

When you use these hinged knee braces, and there are different levels of hinged knee braces, you will find that these excessive movements are controlled, which does three things.

1.) Help reduce pain
2.) Improve Stability
3.) Help maintain proper knee alignment

When you have all three of these components working together, you can focus more on the game and less on the fact that you have a knee ailment. - Remember, always check with your physician for medical advice, this article can be helpful, but we are also not your physician...

By Daniel P. Sims

Are you athletic?

Do you play volleyball, but cannot do so much now because of pain?

Whether you are in a game, or merely in training, it is highly important for you to protect your knees, especially when they hurt. Knee braces could help, but there are times when the pain is not so bad and you just need knee padding. Read on to learn more about those two kinds of knee supports for athletic people like you.

We will discuss the types of knee supports out in the market today, so that when you do decide to buy one so you can protect your knees, you will know all you can about all the options available to you.

What are the types of knee braces for playing volleyball?

1. For Preventive Support-The Padded Knee Sleeve

If you have not really injured your knees-which means it is not painful and you do not feel unstable-a simple knee sleeve will probably do, especially the one with padded patella protection. This will not do for injured knees; it works best to provide cushioning for the knee and prevent it from getting injured when you are engaged in such an active sports as volleyball.

You may ask if it is really necessary, and of course, we will answer that it is! Not having any knee problems before the game does not mean that it will continue like that forever. When you are engaged in active sports and do not wear knee support like the padded knee sleeve, you could injure your knee with one wrong move. When you go after the ball, for example, and land on your knees, it could be traumatic to that particular part of your body. A padded knee sleeve would be able to provide the protection needed.

2. Need More Support? Use Knee Support Braces for Volleyball

A padded knee sleeve is for prevention of knee injuries. If you need a more active knee support, there are other alternatives based on what you need and the current condition of your knees. If you need a stronger support, consider using a knee brace.

Braces like these are usually wraparound in design. Each one has a hinge on either side of the knee center, and these hinges attach to medial and lateral uprights of the knee. With this particular design, the brace protects the knee by limiting the range of movement. You cannot then hyperextend your knee and cause an injury.

In using this type of knee brace, any excessive movements of your knees are prevented.

Such control of the knee's motion has the following benefits: it helps to reduce (and even prevent!) pain, it provides support to improve your knee's stability, and it helps to maintain the knee's proper alignment.

This is health information and should not be taken as substitute for professional advice. Consult your physician for any medical concern.

By Wayne Hairston

When you look at all of the testimonials on this product, it shows that everyone has high success. You need more proof? How about 14,000 sold thus far and about 165 new sales each day. The product offers comprehensive information about the best way to play and win at volleyball.

The methods are used and proven. There are videos, written drills, and practice plans. This comes with a money back guarantee; No questions asked full refund. You cannot beat that, but you can beat your competitors with this system. Your volleyball team can be "in the zone" every time they play. It is amazing to watch kids improve their game 100%.

Confidence grows as the skills grow. Watch your team grow into winners. This works for both young and old alike. If you play volleyball on a team, this is the system to help you get game. You will learn tips and tricks to better develop your current skills. You will learn some new moves that will improve your game.

Volleyball Magic: Full Court Control and Domination will improve your passing skills, personal setting delivery, and your overall skills as a team. This system has books, diagrams, videos, interactive online forums, pretty much everything you need to be a winning coach and team.

The success is proven. If you want to win you need this system. Give your team he winning edge. The other teams will not know what hit them when your team takes the court. You can share the secret or keep it to yourself it's up to you, but the other teams and coaches will be asking.

This is a win-win situation. If you buy the system and it works you win games. If you do not find it helpful (which I doubt) you get all of your money back with no questions asked.

By Andrea Fryrear

I have a soft spot in my heart for Stacy Sykora for two important reasons: she is an amazing libero (I trained as a defensive specialist early in my career) and she is from Texas (just like yours truly).

While attending Texas A&M University she repeatedly led the team in both digs and kills, setting a school record of 24 digs in a three game loss to Michigan State her sophomore year. As a freshman she played every game on the schedule except one, and by the time she was a senior she was 9th in the nation in digs per game (4.37). The American Volleyball Coaches Association named her to a Second-Team All American her senior year, and she was also on the All Big 12 Team that year.

After graduation her coach Laurie Flachmeier Corbelli, an Olympic silver medalist on the 1984 women's volleyball team, suggested that Sykora try out for the newly-created position of libero on the US National team. Sykora took Corbelli's advice, and in 1999 she joined the National team.

By the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney Sykora was leading the team in digs; she posted her 1,000th career dig during the bronze medal match against Brazil. In 2001 she earned the Best Libero Award at the Montreux Volley Masters, was named the Best Digger at both the World Grand Prix and the World Grand Champions Cup, and earned the Best Receiver award at the NORCECA Championships.

Her performance continued to be stellar over the next several seasons. In 2002 she played professionally in Italy; in 2003 she led the US National team in digs (533) and digs per set (3.46), and finished sixth on the team with 89 total points in 11 matches (85 kills, 3 blocks, 1 ace). Despite a strong 2004 season and a number one seed coming into the Olympics, the women's team performed poorly in Athens. They finished tied for fifth, but Sykora was nonetheless named Best Libero at the Olympic games.

After Athens Sykora left the national team, but three years later she was once again named to the 12-person squad and continues to make liberos look cool.

For more information, check out USAVolleyball.org.

Join Volleyball-Life.com for regular updates on professional volleyball news and skills tips, and to get free access to our guides to running the 6-2 and 5-1 volleyball offense.

By Rod Townsend

"My advice to anyone is to let your life live you. You don't have to rule yourself with an iron hand, because if you let it, the divine plan of your life will direct you. Anything is possible if you can think it clearly and hold it passionately.

"Anything unrealized is not important; what is important is the quality of each step that you take along the way. Everything you do is important, even if it doesn't seem so at the time. If you apply your full attention, everything will always be just as it should be." --Mary Jo Peppler

For any of you who don't know, Mary Jo Peppler is the original Misty May of volleyball. She is a four-time USVBA National Open Tournament Most Valuable Player. She won a gold medal on the 1967 U.S. Pan American Team, and was also named to All Tournament Team. At the 1970 World Championships, she was named the tournament's most outstanding player. The list goes on and on.

So what does Peppler have to say about college recruiting?

1. Be sure you are registered with the NCAA clearinghouse

2. Contact a minimum of 100 colleges, preferably around 200-300. Contact a couple each day, or set aside one day a week. Tell them that you are interested in their school. Tell them where you go to high school and where you play club.

Let them know your academic goals, and give them a current GPA, as well as ACT or SAT scores (or, if you haven't taken them, let them know when you will have them). Send them your SCVA schedule. Let them know what qualifiers your team will attend.

3. Respond to any colleges promptly. Unless they already have you on your radar, they will probably give you a generic response and ask you to fill out some forms so that they have information on you and have a way to contact you. Respond to them even if you don't think you are interested, because you truly never know.

4. Be sure your responses are organized in a file or notebook and sort them in some type of order of preference. You probably don't know your exact preferences, so keep your options open. You should be sorting your schools on a regular basis, because your priorities will keep changing. Re-evaluate your schools and re-contact the ones you even have mild interest in.

5. Take time to make 'Unofficial Visits' to schools you might be interested in. Look in this area for schools you may not have considered or in any area that you travel. An 'unofficial visit' is a visit that you arrange with a college volleyball coach in which you pay all the expenses.

Don't just visit a school without contacting the school. If the volleyball program is on break, often the school will be able to arrange for someone to host you and show you around the school, point out its merits and answer questions for you. Call the coach at a school and tell them that you are interested in their school and would like to make an 'unofficial visit' on a certain date. Ask them if they would be available to host you.

When you arrange a day to visit, the volleyball staff will give you a tour, tell you about their program, possibly introduce you to their team (if they are in season or practicing) and arrange for a meeting with an academic counselor.

Each visit is different because each college experience is different. Visiting is the best way to sort through what criteria will be important to you as you narrow down the options and get closer to making a decision. Visit Division I, II, III and NAIA schools so you can see what the differences are and which you would prefer.

Note: You will be allowed up to 5 'Official Visits' during your Senior year. An 'Official Visit' is a visit that a college coach offers to you and the college pays all your expenses. Official Visits last 48 hours. Official Visits are usually offered to players who are on the verge of being or who have been offered a scholarship.

To anyone wanting to play in college, I highly recommend following Peppler's suggestions. It seems like a lot of work, but it will pay off for the whole of your college career.

And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.

By Janet Martin

A well-known surgeon blames volleyball for the growing number of saggy breasts in Germany.

Dr. George Khoury, 39, from Hamburg, said this popular summer sport should be avoided since it destroys the breasts.

"The female breasts, even small ones, were not made for swinging up and down 300 times within a short period of time, as what happens in beach volleyball," warned Khoury.

"Vigorous movements and vibrations stretch the tissue around the breasts, which can lead to permanent sagginess," he added.

Beach volleyball is a popular outdoor sport in Germany with many women players clad in bikinis or going topless. An estimated eight million people worldwide play the game because of its many health benefits. Volleyball gives players a total body workout and strengthens the shoulders, legs, and abs.

"Beach volleyball, which requires more muscles to perform the same moves on sand as one would on a hard court, is an effective workout for track and field athletes too, strengthening ankles, calves, knees and hips," according to Margo Trott in FitLinxx.com.

While Khoury agrees that the game may be good for the body, he said the physical exertion of volleyball puts a strain on women's breasts. He warned that all the jumping and diving can cause the breasts to sag.

Khoury said he has seen many female volleyball players at his clinic who all have one thing in common: sagging boobs.

To avoid this fate, the surgeon said women can do two things: play less volleyball or buy a good sports bra. Khoury said this will limit the damage.

To maintain perfect breasts, use the Clevastin Natural Breast Enlargement System. This will give you a natural breast lift without the need for surgery to enhance your life, looks, and confidence. For more information, visit http://www.clevastin.com

By Marian Fides Aldana

Due to the number of difficulties students are faced when pursuing a college degree, many are looking to avail of loans and scholarships, especially college sport scholarships. However, college sport scholarships are not available to everyone. They are for talented athletes who can combine their playing skills with academic prowess. Students who are talented in sports, such as tennis and volleyball, for instance, need to balance athleticism and intellect if they are to play college tennis or college volleyball.

In a volleyball match, there are two teams, each with six players. The play is started with a coin toss to decide which team gets to serve first. The player who serves throws the ball into the air and hits it so that it goes over the net and lands in the opposing team's court. The opposing team must return the ball over the net using a combination of no more than three contacts with the volleyball. Usually, these consist first of what is called the bump or pass, to aim the ball towards the player designated as the setter. The setter then brings the ball to the player designated as the attacker. The attacker in turn hits the ball across the net, most probably with a spike. This is done by jumping and raising one arm above the head, hitting the ball so it rapidly bounce down to the floor on the opponent's court.

In tennis, one player is designated the server, and one of the opposing players is the receiver. Serving alternates between n the two teams. The server hits the ball from behind the baseline, on a point between the center mark and the sideline. The receiver may be positioned anywhere on their side of the net. Once the receiver is ready, the server will hit the ball, although the receiver is required to play to the pace of the server.

Information is readily available. The Internet has proven to be a useful venue for students and parents looking for college sport scholarships. There are many websites and online forums wherein students and their families can come together and interact with coaches and other school representatives of college volleyball teams. D1Athletes is an online community wherein high school athletes and coaches alike can share and exchange information they need on college volleyball and college tennis. D1Athletes offers them a place to build an online presence and gain important public exposure.

By Iain De Putney

If you, or your child, is thinking about playing volleyball in college, you may want to consider using the services of an online recruiting website.

Online recruiters have developed websites that connect high school athletes who wish to play volleyball in college with college coaches seeking to recruit players. A typical site will help you create and post your athlete profile and it will make your profile available to college coaches and recruiters. You can use the site to track which coaches have viewed your athlete profile.

Most recruiting websites tend to concentrate on the major sports, such as football, basketball and baseball; so you need to use sites that specifically cater to the "smaller" sports like volleyball. The typical volleyball recruit would also seek a site that caters to club teams in addition to high schools.

Typically a recruiting website has separate sections for distinct groups:

Athletes

* Create a profile to market your physical data and abilities to college coaches

* Research athletic scholarships and college academic standards

* Find the college program that is right for you

Parents

* Learn about the recruiting process and college admissions

* Help your athlete create and update his or her profile

* Review profiles and read advice from successfully recruited athletes

Coaches

* Encourage your athletes to register and create a profile

* Review athlete profiles through the "Teams" section

* Write letters of recommendation to college coaches for your athletes

College coaches

* Market your program to over 28,000 athletes

* Evaluate athletes that meet your program's criteria

* Search and find athletes that were missed by your usual recruiting methods

In addition to helping you to notify your interest to a specific college coach, a good website will also keep a list of all the schools you are interested in. The list includes each school's profile and athletic information as well as the name and contact information for the volleyball coaches. You can use the website to e-mail coaches and you can keep track of key data as you progress through your recruiting search.