By: Andrea Emmons
Over the years, the game of volleyball has changed dramatically. For example, as a sophomore in high school I was wearing “buns.” I’m not sure how many youngsters remember the pleasure of them, but man I do! They were either way too big or way too small. These were practically underwear on the indoor volleyball court and provided incredible discomfort. Bottom line, we could barely play in them. Spandex started to make their way into our everyday lives and then eventually took over completely by my junior year of high school. I cannot tell you how thankful I was for this needed change! It’s just natural that things will change over time. Although change is different and a bit uncomfortable at first, most things do turn out for the better. There are a few other recognizable and meaningful changes that have happened to indoor volleyball over the past 10 years worth noting.
An easily recognized alteration was instituted in 2001; the “let” serve. The let serve has been part of the tennis game, and was a likely addition to the game of volleyball. My vote for “most needed” modification occurred in my time and was the elimination of the blocked/attacked serve. For anyone who witnessed this mockery of the game, we are all thankful for the ban of this practice.
A recent change is the addition of the libero position. Libero means “free” in Italian, so it is a position where there the defensive player is able to run in and out of the game freely without substitutions. This is very similar to the “designated hitter” position in baseball, except this is a designated defensive player. We all know that the DH position has faced a lot of criticism and critique in baseball. What we have grown to realize about volleyball is that the libero position is not replacing our current players or overshadowing their deficits, it has simply created a simpler way of playing the game. Instead of multiple substitutions and delaying time, we now have the ease of putting our defensive players in without delay. We are also allowed to use great defensive players to their full potential, rather than cutting their play time to half what other players receive. Today, there are very few who oppose the libero and rightly so. Along with “spandex” the libero is a welcome change to the indoor game.
Another huge change occurred in 2001 when the Federation of International Volleyball decided to change the scoring in volleyball to a rally format. There was obviously a transparent motivation from the FIVB to shorten the game, but this also changed the game because being penalized for missed serves meant less aggressive serving. This also meant less un-forced errors and a more controlled approach to the game. Therefore a great “sideout” team was now going to be rewarded for their merits. While the rally game took a while to get used to, we all came around. I think everyone now agrees that earning a point every play makes the most sense. And of course, it makes FIVB happy because there is always a limit to the time of each game.
Many of the changes ultimately derive from a need to shorten the game. Our newest change is no different. The NCAA announced recently that beginning fall season there will be a new scoring reduction from 30 to 25 points per game. This proposed change is supposed to add new excitement and keep the crowd entertained and involved. It seems 30 points was beginning to drag on.
There have been uncounted changes to the indoor game even since I got out of high school. Volleyball enthusiasts and players should expect countless more over the coming years. We may soon be encountered with our most controversial change yet involving double contacts. I will not go into that today, because that is a whole new article! Ultimately, we should remember that the changes are for the promotion and betterment of our game. So, while change is difficult, it’s necessary and needed. As Buddha says, " Everything changes, nothing remains without change."
