Topspin serves & motivating teammates

Question
I'm a sophomore now and just made the varsity team. Since last year we lost our entire varsity team(graduated)except 1 starter.
I was offered the libero position during pre-season and i took it. After taking over the spot I realized I'm not as good as out last years best in state libero.

* I need help on reading the balls as there being hit over. My coach just keeps saying look at the hips. I've look at them and it doesn't seem to work cause the arm goes another direction.

-I have 1 other question not related to libero. My coach loves the way I serve and wants me to have more than one kind of serve, so he's having me try topspin. The regular strong hit serve came natural to me and i learned it in all of a day. Basically how do i work my way up to a good top spin serve?

-What are some good ways to get my team motivated,hyped,and communicate more?

Sorry for writing the book

--Tiffany


Answer
OK, I'm back.  We had a great time in Pittsburgh!

Topspin serve:
* It's very hard to learn
* It's very hard on your shoulder & back.
* And unless you hit it really hard, then it's much easier to pass than a floater.  
BUT, if you CAN really hit the ball hard, then it's a weapon.  But, Tiffany, in the 2 matches I saw in Pittsburgh, not a single woman has a top spin serve that had any impact on the match.  

I recommend you try a floater or a short serve.  The floater is:
* Very easy to learn;
* Very easy on your body;
* The toughest serve to pass!

Now, as for team motivations:
Just come to practice with a positive attitude.  Come to matches with spirit, regardless of whether you're going to play or not.  

As for hyped:
I'm not a person who believes vball players need to be hyped.  Basketball maybe.  Football definitely.  But volleyball is like tennis and golf in that it's a sport of skill, calmness and thoughtfulness.  If a person is too hyped, they make stupid plays, they serve out, they're in the net, etc.  There's a difference between motivated/excited and pumped up too much.

As for communication:
That's up to you and your teammates.  This is a choice you guys make.  You can choose to talk on the court, follow the ball, hustle or not.  I watched a high school match last night where the girls watched ball after ball hit the floor.  One would be out, but the next one in, and it went on like that.  They chose not to hustle, and they paid the price for it.

Thank you again for visiting www.allexperts.com.  Have you visited me at www.coachhouser.com?  Maybe I'll meet you next summer at a STAR site volleyball camp!

Coach Houser


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Hello again!
I just finished my answer to your other question.
It's 11:45pm here in Pittsburgh.  GOT to go to bed.  :)
Will try to work on your new questions tomorrow or Sunday.
Thanks for staying in touch.
Have you visited www.coachhouser.com yet?  I need you to!  
Chat later!
Coach Houser