Our Sport Is Not A Gimmick

This has been a new frustration for me this fall so far. It realistically hasn't bothered me before (I don't think) but as we continue this conversation about volleyball being on TV more, I think there is something we need to address.

The gimmick volleyball play.

What I mean "gimmick" is the idea that we are trying to push, publicize or even brand our sport with plays that involve kicking the ball over at the last second and randomly scoring a point; when in almost every other circumstance if this play were recreated, it would either FAIL or end up with the other team scoring the point. This is what we are selling to much of in our sport right now and it's especially happening on social media.

Now these plays are fun and exciting because of what I said above...they basically NEVER work. We (as volleyball people) get excited when they do work/score because we ALL understand that they shouldn't ever result in a point. But for the rest of the ESPN sports people, in the US, they don't understand that. They see something where they can just say, "look at this crazy play...that's volleyball for you!" Meanwhile the recognition for the athleticism and speed of the sport, is glossed over and never mentioned.

The other issue I have with this kind of play is that is usually takes one side of the net to completely break down in order for a point to be scored. If the team that ended up celebrating too early, had just been paying attention and playing to the whistle the ball would have never hit the floor. This is especially frustrating to watch at the college level (just being honest). This applies to balls that drop inside the 10ft line while that side is in their free ball "transition." If you know me at all or have seen some of the highlights I've shared, then you know I'm an advocate for blocking free balls. The majority of these "highlights" where the ball drops inside the 10 foot line after a hustle play on the other side of the net would be negated in an instance if one of the hitters, would notice what was going on and that the ball wasn't going to travel 25 feet to the back row player waiting for it. I see this in the same light as when a pin hitter is approaching or simply sending the ball over the net from outside of the antenna. You notice that and then move to where the ball is going to be played; if it's played outside of the antenna, then the ball is out of bounds. Visually we should pick up on the short ball as well.

Ok Jason, you talked about all the negative things you don't like.

What should we highlight then?

I'm ALL about hustle plays. Let's keep showing those for sure. The play from the Belmont libero last week was a perfect example. She took down the entire bench of chairs to save a ball. I love that kind of stuff. That play made ESPN's Top 10 list - although it's the only clip of a volleyball match they played all week, which is unfortunate. It was still a great play though and should definitely be shared so that younger athletes can see the drive and intensity that goes with this game at the higher level. More of those plays, definitely.

Let's also make a 15 second clip of the MB that hits .700 on the weekend...or the libero with 5 digs in one rally. Let's make highlights of the things that coaches are working on day in and day out in the gym. I don't know a ton of coaches that are working on kicking the ball over on the 3rd ball :)

How hard are some of these athletes hitting the ball? Let's share some of that info in the highlight of an OH passing and swinging out of serve receive.

How about a clip of the blocks from that match you just one...yes, all of them. Setters making great athletic plays.

How else can we show the speed and power of our athletes? Let's make more clips of that go viral. I'm not saying we can't share these crazy plays on social media, I am certainly guilty of doing it. But as we look to increase our viewership and get more people interested in our sport, lets try and do a better job of showing what our sport is vs. what our sport is not.

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