Why Volleyball Strength Training is Different

There are many types of athletes out there and every sport or exercise employs different muscles. If you take a look at those at the top of their sport, you will see may different body types. From Olympic gymnasts to swimmers to football players, they are all built differently. So then why is it that a lot of training guides try to give you the "all in one" guide to getting in shape? Let's take a look at why your training program for Volleyball needs to be different from other sports, and how it can be similar:

First volleyball player's bodies tend to be different than other sports, but also different depending on the position you play. A study conducted in 2006 discovered that hitters body type differed from setters and middle centers. What does that mean for training? It means you can't do an all in one routine and hope to be the best in your sport.

To start, it's good to get an idea of what muscles are involved (and especially prone to injury) for each position and even each motion used in Volleyball. For example, for hitters, the rotator cuff is one body part that should be taken care of always similar to the arm and elbow of a major league pitcher. Strengthening that part can increase the power and quickness of a spike. For setters, the flexibility and finesse applied to the set can make a world of difference. For them, it may not be so much muscle building as it is improving flexibility. For middle blockers, getting above the net and therefore increasing one's vertical leap may be the way to go.

Does this mean you can't use an exercise or strength building routine from another sport? Absolutely not. The key is to combine those that apply best. What if you could have the quickness of a running back, the back and arm strength of a professional rower and the vertical of an Olympic high jumper? When you focus on the specific motions involved in what you do every day and the muscle and tendon groups used in those motions, you can build a routine that will be you the edge you need to beat the competition. Examine each sport and the top players; do they have a specific advantage that could lend itself well to volleyball? For example, are their similarities in the motion, in the play or in the style? Without invalidating the main thrust of my article there is a reason that some people are good at two or even more different sports.

Volleyball is about momentum, but part of that is getting in your opponent's head. If they think you are a great player it makes them concentrate more on you than on their own game; and that can make the difference between winning and losing. Once you build your routine and focus on the specific aspects of the game and create training centers around improving them you will find a new level to your game and your fitness overall.

For more Volleyball Strength Training Tips, visit my website, www.volleyball-strength.com.