From: liuwu@acuson.com (Wu Liu)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.volleyball
Subject: Re: Walleyball
Keywords: Wallyball, racquetball
Date: 27 Aug 92 17:16:06 GMT
Organization: Acuson; Mountain View, California

NOTE:	some of Ken's article has been deleted...

stonek@rollout.tymnet.com (Ken Stone) writes:
>	I have seen the suction cups and I have seen them pull out.
>They only use I see of the suction cups are on the r-ball court with the
>glass sidewall (during a tournament where they needed all courts.)
>Otherwise the players choose not to use this court.  The nets and
>balls at our club are made by 'I-Dig'.  Most nets have hooks, that
>attach to a loop/screw/bolt, that goes into a hole in the wall.
>As a racquetball player, this hole does not interfere ever.

A group of my friends and I chipped in and bought a set (net plus
ball) a couple of years ago.  We got it through a sporting goods
store that ordered it for use, so you might try asking the local
stores about it.

>	I play a regular amount of volleyball, indoor, sand and grass.
>I often check out the Wallyball action looking for potential people
>to try to convert.  (time to climb on soapbox)......
>	Wallyball teaches alot of stuff that does not transport
>well to volleyball in any form.  The serve is best when hit with
>underspin so it will drop off the wall downward, faster.  Spikes
>too.  It is harder to hit the ball straight down because the
>court is only 20 feet, so more people hit slap shots with underspin.
>I have seen open caliber of play in Wallyball and these guys were
>obviously volleyball capable.  I hate to see beginners learn stuff
>that is not portable to the volleyball court.

I don't know about that.  Underspin serves can be tough when you
first start playing, but can be compensated for.   I've found that
it's best to mix things up.  My favorite serve is a floater I kiss
of the side wall deep in a corner; it's tough to return with control
because the passer pretty much has to face the wall for it, and it
drops pretty radically when it hits the wall.

>	On the plus side, it is easy to use that ball to teach some-
>one proper setting techniques.  because the ball is easy to grip
>the fingers stick easier and a beginner can hit more no-spin
>sets.

There are, in my opinion, several advantages to playing wallyball.
First, it teaches you that nothing is out of reach.  I can't count
the number of times I've watched volleyball players hesitate or flat
out stop if the ball doesn't head in the general direction they
expect.  You also learn the value of quick reflexes.  I agree with
you about setting; I learned setting initially from playing wallyball.
In particular, it enforces accuracy from the setter.  Alert hitters
can save sets too far to the outside in volleyball, but you're pretty
much screwed if your wallyball setter puts the set into the wall.

As for hitting, it teaches you control and discipline.  You can't
always crush it straight down, so you have to learn to use the wall
to your advantage.  Cut and off-speed shots aren't things that hitters
usually practice, but they're *very* useful in game situations, and
wallyball can teach you how to hit those effectively.

It's great for people looking to improve their blocking skills; you
have to learn how to read both the set and the hitter, and you get
*lots* of reps.  In fact, that's probably the best part of the game;
lots of chances to practice just about every skill you need on the
volleyball court.
-- 
Wu Liu                          Software Engineer, User Interface Group
liuwu@acuson.COM                Acuson
Newsgroups: rec.sport.volleyball