Volleyball for Kids

by Caroline Beck

1. You don’t have to be really young to start. You can start as late as freshman year in high school and still become a great volleyball player with a little persistence and hard work.

2. It’s a growing sport in New England. Although we aren’t as strong as the west coast in volleyball quite yet, New England clubs are starting to compete in and win tournaments across the United States  proving that volleyball is on its way up on the east coast.

3. It can be played all year round. It’s never too hot or too cold for and indoor sport. It’s always volleyball time!

4. You don’t have to be 6 feet tall to play. Despite what most people think, not all positions in volleyball require height. One of the best players on my team is less than 5 feet tall! There are plenty of postitons for people who aren’t super tall.

5. It requires a lot of teamwork. Volleyball teaches a lot of communication, teamwork, and trust skills. All 6 people on the court need to work together and trust each other in order to be a successful team.

6. There are so many great clubs to try out for. Besides playing for high school, club volleyball is a great way to gain skills. Here are some of the main clubs in Massachusetts:

• S.M.A.S.H.
• Beantown
• Pumas
• MetroWest
• CMass
• Mass Patriots

7. Volleyball appeals to all kinds of athletes. Whether you’re a fierce competitor or more of a social butterfly, volleyball is a great sport to play. It has intense the competition and activity but also has the all the fun of being a team sport and spending time with kids your age that share the love for the game.

8. It is a great way to stay active. Some people feel that volleyball isn’t a true sport because there isn’t full out sprinting involved. However, volleyball has many active parts to it. You must stay low for long periods of time, move quickly and fluently side to side, chase after balls, and even dive. Plus, volleyball tournaments often last up to 8 hours! Trust me, you’ll be thoroughly exercised by the end.

9. There are so many opportunities to play over the summer. Volleyball camps, clinics, and leagues take place all summer long for kids of all levels to play. Here are just a few:

• Beantown Camps
• S.M.A.S.H Camps
• Boston College Volleyball Camp
• Nike Camp at Curry College
• Bay State Games

                  i.      Tryout required

• MGA Sports Inc.

                  i.      Tournaments, clinics, lessons, and open gym time

10.   It’s fun of course! Volleyball is a blast to play. It’s exciting, intense, and fast paced and always keeps you on your toes. So get out there and play!

Caroline Beck is an uprising sophomore at Medfield High School who plays volleyball at SMASH Volleyball Club in Newton. She also enjoys singing, playing guitar and piano, playing tennis, and of course writing!

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