You know, sometimes I just have to shake my head at some of the (I really want to say "shit" here, but I better not.) misguided advice that emanates from the sidelines during volleyball matches. I keep hoping it will end. But without fail, I'm disappointed.
Let us begin with "Snap Your Wrist!"
This nugget is always yelled to a kid as she turns to her coach in bamboozlement, looking for an explanation after the ball she just struck ends up in her dad's arms in the 3rd row of the bleachers behind the court. She always has that I-don't-understand look on her face.
She wants to know why. "Why can't I get that ball in the court?" And unfortunately for her, her thirst for understanding is met with Snap Your Wrist! Of course it's always accompanied by a demonstration –as if the kid need a translation.
Regardless of the fundamental reason, and there could be several, her ball keeps flying to her dad. The explanation is always Snap Your Wrist! Of all the explanations for why she and dad seem to be playing catch, Snap Your Wrist! struggles to make the top 10.
Am I exaggerating for effect here? I don't think so.
Oh, and you can tell the really seasoned players. Players who have struggled in the past with hitting great distances, and apparently still do. They have repeatedly, over the course of a few seasons, looked to the coach for understanding. They are sponges. These kids don't even need to look over to the bench any more. Nope. They have learned.
You will see these kids kind of talking to themselves after yet another one of their attacks has landed well into the crowd. You can watch them snapping their wrists on that imaginary ball in front of them showing the crowd that they understand the importance of wrist snapping when attacking. Determined to get it right.
And the coach is proud.
TAKEAWAYS
Parents
If, when you walk into a volleyball camp to pick up your daughter and you hear "snap your wrist" and the group is not working on towel fighting, grab your daughter an run. Run fast!
Coaches
Find out what your players really need to correct to get the ball in the court. And please, please stop telling them, "You need to snap your wrist." That's not the problem!
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