Quicksets with Kenzie: FAQs
“One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.” –Chinese proverb
I’ve gotten asked quite a few questions over the years. Here are some FAQs, with my answers. I don’t claim to be 100% correct on any of these, by any means, so leave room for interpretation.
1. “When do you use a one-handed set?”
Personally, I only use a one-handed set when the ball is going to be an overpass. Typically, I’ll set the middle because referees will often call you on a lift, so a quick flick to the middle is better than trying to shove the four. It’s best to avoid this set if at all possible because of the lift call (though I have been called on a double-contact when I used a one-handed set).
2. “What are volleyball stereotypes?”
There are quite a few of these. For example: middles are tall and skinny, liberos are short, setters are quick, outsides jump high. I’ve also heard that men don’t run slides. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen a guy run a slide.
3. “How do you pronounce ‘libero’?”
I’ve heard “lee-barrow” and “lee-burr-oh.” I think it’s just one of those “you say tomato, I say tomato” things. Really, it doesn’t matter as long as they can pass.
4. “If a player is receiving a serve, standing off the net, can he jump and hit the ball back over the net two-handed (because it looks like a block, but it’s off the net). Is that legal?”
No player at any time can “block” a serve. However, setting the ball back over on the first contact is legal. Attacking the ball off a serve within an arm’s length of the net is also illegal.
5. “Do you respect your opponents?”
Of course. Respect is a big issue in any sport. This is not to say that I am not competitive and will not argue against them, because I will to the death if it means my team will get a point. However, I always respect all opponents, because I would want the same from them.
6. “Is volleyball more competitive now with rally point scoring (RPS)?”
Because I didn’t play during sideout scoring, I can’t really say. I know, though, that with RPS there is more emphasis on every point. There is more competition nowadays because more people are playing as the sport’s popularity continues to increase.
7. “I have been playing volleyball for 4 years, but just recently I noticed that people wear ankle braces and I was wondering why (I mean, obviously for ankle support, but why in volleyball?) and do they actually help?”
I wear ankle braces (Active Ankles) because I have weak ligaments and they are my ligaments, to an extent. Many wear ankle braces because they have sustained an injury at some point in time, or in hopes of preventing an injury. I recommend them highly.
And just for kicks, check out Leonel Marshall, and outside hitter for the Cuban national team. He has a 50″ vertical.
And remember, hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.
Kenzie Aries