Why is volleyball the best sport?

admin March 3, 2020

It is difficult to compare sports, as they vary in many ways. It is indeed like comparing apples to oranges. People will disagree about the criteria of comparison and the evaluation of the sports that are being compared.

However, volleyball can certainly make a strong case for being considered the best team sport.

Reasons why volleyball is a great team sport:

  • Everyone can play!
    • There are volleyball options available for people who are young/old, short/tall, male/female, and even abled/disabled.
  • It’s fast-paced.
  • It’s all about teamwork.
    • No one player can single-handedly dominate a game, as they depend on at least one other player to pass or set the ball.
  • Amazing athleticism
    • From diving defensive players to quick-moving and precise setters to high jumping, hard-hitting attackers.
  • You can play anywhere (indoor, grass, sand, pool)
    • In the backyard, in the pool, at a park, on the beach, or indoor at great air-conditioned venues.
  • It’s a great social sport
    • From recreational play to competitive play, players have the opportunity to enjoy their teammates coming together after each point
  • It’s a great way to stay fit (without a lot of running)
  • There’s plenty of competition
    • From pick up games at parks and beaches to city, church and gym leagues to elementary, junior high, high school, and college athletics to club volleyball, Olympic and professional opportunities.
  • Respect is a big part of the game
  • Volleyball never ends in a tie!
  • Volleyball tournaments are massive, exciting events
    • The AAU National Championships in Orlando draws 32,000 players, 10,000 coaches, and 120,000 attendees.
  • Volleyball is truly a non-contact sport
    • A net separates the teams and although contact is possible under or over the net, it is rare and carefully watched
  • It is fun to play and watch!
  • It is popular worldwide
    • It is the No. 1 girls team sport in high school in the U.S.
    • It is one of the most popular sports worldwide (with soccer and basketball)
  • It is a sport for a lifetime
  • It is a great sport to play co-ed or with players of widely different abilities
  • It is one of the safest sports you can play
    • Out of NCAA’s “top 25” sports, it is the 3rd safest behind swimming and indoor cross-country. (from USAV article)

Why is volleyball better than basketball?

Some of the reasons that volleyball could be considered better than basketball include:

  • Fewer injuries
  • No contact
    • No gross/unpleasant contact with others as they poke, scratch, push, hit, grab and bowl over opponents
  • Less wasted movement
    • No running down the court, running in circles on that side for someone else to shoot the ball only to run back to the other side to chase around a player who themselves may not shoot the ball.
  • More types of players
    • Height helps in volleyball but playing opportunities exist even for shorter players at the highest level
    • Players can help their team by blocking, hitting, setting, passing, and serving the ball.
  • More team-oriented
    • Needs more than one or two dominant players to succeed
    • Best volleyball requires 3 touches per attack, often from 3 different players
  • More exciting, faster-paced game
    • No free-throws, holding the ball or running out the clock
  • More players playing at a time
    • Volleyball is played with 6 players on the court instead of 5.
  • Players whole body is in play
    • No kicking violation in volleyball

Why is volleyball better than soccer?

Some of the reasons that volleyball could be considered better than soccer include:

  • Fewer injuries
  • No contact
    • No gross/unpleasant contact with others as they kick, trip, push, grab and bowl over opponents
  • Less wasted movement
    • No running up, down, and across the field, back and forth with little progress toward scoring a goal.
  • More team-oriented
    • Needs more than one or two dominant players to succeed
    • Best volleyball requires 3 touches per attack, often from 3 different players
  • More exciting, faster-paced game!!!
    • Points are seconds away not dozens of minutes away.
    • There is no playing keep away to protect a lead and run down the clock
  • Players whole body is in play
    • No violation for touching the ball with your hands or arms
  • Players are not “stuck” in a position
    • Volleyball players are required to rotate
    • Players can score from the back or front row
  • No flopping or cheating
    • It is virtually impossible to cheat in volleyball with 1-2 referees and 2 line judges watching everything
  • Culture of respect, not violence
    • Volleyball matches start and end with a handshake across the net
    • Soccer/football culture has historically struggled with violence at the national level (see Football hooliganism)
  • No ties!

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