OMG!
I heard it again ... “Snap your wrist!” OMG
This past season, I volunteered to do the lines at my niece’s match. The match was a study in why passing is so important. The other team had two or three girls who were 5’9” and were not terrible. One was the setter who had good athleticism and good hands. As with any eighth-grade player, they all had things to work on, but they had the physical advantage and should have won easily. But, because they struggled to pass, the match ended 15-14 in the 3rd. (The sets are capped)
This is not the first time I attended one of her matches. I noticed the first time one of her team’s main hitters was rubbing her shoulder. It didn‘t surprise me. Her attacking motion needs help ... to put it nicely.
After the match, I asked her if her shoulder was sore ... I knew it was. She told me she just needed to stretch it. Yeah, right. I know I shouldn’t have, but I told her she needs to be taught how to swing at the ball correctly. I tried to catch the words before they reached her, but I don’t think I was successful.
The next time I saw her play, I saw the same thing. Not surprisingly, her technique had not improved. It may be worse. But to ring my own bell, I said nothing this time. I was tempted to say something to the coach. But I did not. Very proud of myself.
During the match she had several opportunities to attack the ball. The only balls she hit into the court were tipped or rolled. She hit several balls out and one or two into the net. Finally, her father had seen enough. He yelled, “Mary, snap your wrist!”
Ironically, she snapped her wrist. She not only snapped her wrist, she also snapped her elbow and her shoulder.
What her father failed to understand is
She is never on time
She is goofy-footed
She never transitions to the correct spot to begin her approach
The ball is never in the correct spot for her to strike the ball down over the net
She approaches the ball square to the net
She hits the ball with her fingers together
Other than those six items, everything is great.
Again, this is why I write.
But ignorance of the process reduced the father to “Snap your wrist!” I wonder where he picked up that piece of "because-I-don‘t-know-the-real-solution-to-your-hitting-issues-and-I-need-to-come-up-with-something" advice? Might I suggest from her club coaches? I know it wasn’t from her school coach. She said nothing. Nope. I’m wrong. She did say “That’s ok..Good job.” AYFKM!
Mary has been allowed to, dare I say encouraged, to attack the ball as she does. And her family is paying a lot of money for her to gain the skill and experience to compete at a higher level. She is not getting what they are paying for.
I overheard my niece say Mary was complaining that her shoulder and wrist were sore after her team competed in tournament. I can’t imagine why.
Again, this is why I write.
There was one really bright spot. The libero on my niece’s team was by far the best player in the gym. It was fun to watch her play. There was not much she didn't do well. Her movement to pass was very good. Her ability to read and anticipate is beyond her her years. She does need work on her arm swing, but that will come with her physical maturity and strength. I’m thinking if she is smart enough to figure out playing defense, she will figure out her arm swing.
On several occasions the opposing setter tipped or set the ball over the net. Most of the time this kid was there before the ball came over the net. She knew exactly where it was coming down.
There are several high school teams in the area on which she could play now.
Either someone has taught her well or she is a natural. I’m going with nature over nurture here. None of the other girls on her club team played with her intelligence.
This kid is special.
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