Todd Rogers finesses a tricky cut shot around block
(Olympic Proportions)
To succeed on the pro beach volleyball tour, players cannot simply rely on their raw physical talents.
After all, Phil Dalhausser’s overpowering blocks, April Ross’s smoking serves, and Misty May Treanor’s perfected digs can’t often be matched punch for punch.
So, players frequently tap into their arsenal of mental strategies to battle their opponents, and this weekend’s Association of Volleyball Professionals tournament in Long Beach, CA will be no exception.
Clearly, many of these ploys are evident to all observers – the “jumbo shrimp” pokey over a dominating block, the “on-two” kill of a ball, or the topspin serve that dives into the wind.
However, there are many cagey “tricks of the trade” that fans don’t notice, and which can trip up opponents.
And cunning players will try just about anything to win the next, valuable point.
Sleight of Hand
To gain an edge at the net, hitters and blockers can resort to subtle hand movements to throw off their competitors.
For instance, a spiking player can feign a strong hit, and instead wipe the ball off the unsuspecting blockers outreached hands, sending the ball careening out-of-bounds.
Jennifer Snyder, an experienced, mid-level player on the AVP tour said, “I like to hit late, crisp shots past a defender, once she has committed one way.”
But blockers are no dummies. They have many tricks up their sleeves too.
Roger Corbitt, a rising player on the AVP beach volleyball circuit, said, “I sometimes try to fake a block in one direction (line), and go the other (angle),” after winning a three-game match with partner Justin Phipps in Virginia Beach, VA last month.
Weakest Link
Sometimes eagle eye players can detect another’s shortcoming – whether it be a subtle skill limitation, a minor injury, or a hint of fatigue.
Corbitt prides himself on being observant. “I’ll check out their warm-ups to find any weakness.”
And the ever-watchful Snyder also seizes advantages. “I try to serve to a player who may be tiring or spike at a player having trouble passing.” She used this technique successfully to record 17 kills in a three-game win with partner, Paige Jensen in Virginia Beach.
AVP star Todd Rogers is adept at wearing out winded players through his calculated serves. You can count on him this Saturday in Long Beach to pick on a player by forcing him to scramble to return short, deep, or line serves. Before long, fatigue will soon set in, and this receiver’s side-out game will all of a sudden nosedive.
Delay of Game
Tired players, or players frustrated with the other team’s momentum, can slow down the game’s pace in their favor.
Case in point - how many times have you seen a player valiantly trying to level the sand before preparing for a serve-receive?
Another trick to buy time is the old “clean off the sunglasses” routine where a player will stroll over to the head referee’s stand, borrow a cloth, and meticulously clear every single sand particle from the lenses.
Further, in a desperate move, some players have even faked an injury to secure a lengthy medical timeout. Oftentimes, imaginary cramps are used to gain additional recovery time between matches, especially near the end of the day.
And, of course, the ever-popular “complaining to a referee about a questionable play” routine has long been known to ice a competitor’s hot streak.
The notorious groveller, Hans Stolfus, pulled-off this stunt to perfection at an Atlanta AVP event in 2006. During a heated match where opponent Dain Blanton ripped a string of tough serves, Stolfus argued that Blanton’s clearly perfect ace missed the back line. His challenge stopped play for several minutes as both referees walked over to view and discuss the ball mark.
The annoyed Blanton, watching in disbelief, yelled to the refs, “Come on, don’t let him get away with that.”
Although the referees stood by their call and allowed Blanton to resume play, his next serve sailed long – clearly impacted by the break in action. He shook his head angrily, while Stolfus and partner Aaron Wachtfogel furtively smirked on their way to victory.
Sometimes smarts trump skills.
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