Tovar: Beach Volleyball Expectations vs. Reality
As a beach volleyball player and coach, I have seen firsthand the expectations that many people have of the sport when they first start playing. As someone who has been involved in the beach volleyball community for many years, I have also seen the reality of the sport and the ways in which it can differ from those initial expectations. In this post, I will be discussing some of the most common expectations of beach volleyball and how they compare to the reality of the sport.
Beach volleyball is a sport that many people have a certain expectation of when they first start playing. However, the reality of the sport can often be quite different from what people expect.
Expectation: Beach volleyball is easy and doesn't require much skill.
Reality: Beach volleyball is actually a very challenging sport that requires a great deal of skill and athleticism. Players need to be able to jump, hit, pass, and dig at a high level, as well as have good footwork and court awareness. It's also physically demanding, as players need to be able to handle the sand and the sun while still performing at a high level.
Expectation: Beach volleyball is just a fun, casual activity.
Reality: While beach volleyball can be a fun and casual activity, it can also be a very competitive and intense sport. Many players take the game very seriously and train hard to improve their skills. Beach volleyball tournaments are held all over the world and the Olympics even include it as a medal event.
Expectation: Beach volleyball is just for people in great shape.
Reality: While being in good shape can certainly help when playing beach volleyball, it's not a requirement. People of all shapes and sizes can play and enjoy the sport. What's important is that players are willing to work hard and improve their skills.
Expectation: You only need to be good at hitting the ball.
Reality: While hitting the ball is certainly an important aspect of beach volleyball, it's not the only one. Players also need to be good at passing, setting, and digging, as well as have good footwork and court awareness. A complete player needs to be able to perform all of these skills at a high level
In conclusion, beach volleyball is a challenging sport that requires a great deal of skill and athleticism. It can be both fun and casual, as well as competitive and intense. The sport is not just for people in great shape and a complete player needs to be able to perform all the skills at a high level. It's important to keep in mind that while beach volleyball may have different expectations, it's a great way to stay active and have fun.
