SNUnicycler

Good afternoon everyone! I'm new to the forum so hello! I'm mitchell.
I've been playing volleyball for about 7 years just in pickup games and some leagues. I can hold my own defensively but as far as offense goes, i'm trying to improve. I am kind of short, 5'6", and when i am playing on the sand i have difficulty jumping high enough to spike like i want to. I need to gain some more strength in my legs. Any suggestions? Thanks!

chefalf

Whats up mitchell! i just joined too haha, anyway im know exactly what you mean. I myself am only 5'7" so i know its hard to get up there but i do for the most part. To answer your question i would suggest plyometric exercises, i was a basketball player in high school and i remember doing a lot of box jumps, jump ropes, bleachers, etc.....
all those should help strengthen your lower legs which is as important as upper leg strength.... there tons of plyometric exercises all over the interweb, maybe check out you tube,
and just keep playing and some training in the sand.

massivefx

There is indeed a trick tp jumping in the sand. In indoor or grass ball, you normally have more of a broad jump approach. Normally you are using three steps. This does not work well in sand as your foundation, the sand, is moving when you try to jump and a lot of energy is wasted into just moving sand.

When attacking, and especially blocking, I have found that I can get a much better jump if I pause for a second so that my feet sink into the sand and stop giving me affirm foundation to jump.

You're still going to lose some height when you jump in the sand, but you'll jump higher this way.

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