The Outside Hitter's Journey: Part 1
Have you ever struggled with feeling like you get stuck when you're trying to learn a new skill or technique?
Maybe it's a new shot during out of system situations or maybe it's just working to be better sealing the line with your block, but I bet you've felt this stagnation at some point on your journey.
So today we're going to highlight and shoutout a current Spiker Academy member who's been putting in major work over the last year, and he's now starting to reap the benefits in live situations with his team.
I've been working with Annas for about a year now and he's always been a physical and confident athlete, but there was just one shot he couldn't quite master at practice or when he was training on his own.
But Annas just put his head down and kept working...
He also would frequently utilize The Spiker Academy forum by asking specific questions about his arm swing and how to create certain angles on new swings that he might be trying at practice.
Just checkout what he's been working on over the last few months...
He really wanted to lock down that sharp cross court swing with power before his next season got going again...
Annas was able to film himself working on the area 4 to area 4 shot several times and then he would give me detailed information about what he was feeling after each attempt.
Then I gave him a few simple drills that would help him feel like he's pulling the trigger faster and firing his whole chain sooner during his arm swing.
Because just like I mentioned to Annas, perception and action are always linked...
So if you can get on a box to rep out a new shot several times before you try it live in a match, you'll be giving your arm chance to learn the speed of that new shot without also having to worry about the timing of your jump.
Which is also exactly why it helps being able to send me your film inside The Spiker Academy...
Because I'll get back to you whenever I can!
Which means sometimes I'm still going to respond to you even if I'm with my fiancee shopping in Brussels...haha!
Just in the last few months I've watched Annas go from being unsure of his ability to hit this specific shot, to now understanding exactly what he has to do to hit this shot consistently in a match.
He's been putting in work inside The Spiker Academy, he's been busy getting reps in the gym, and he's always looking to ask me questions when he doesn't understand a new concept or technique.
But how is this new sharp angle shot working out for him during live 6 on 6 situations in practice?
Annas really wanted to master that sharp cross court swing from area 4 to area 4, but he felt like he just couldn't cut the ball off soon enough and track it properly to his right shoulder.
He sent me video, told me exactly what he felt during each attempt, and even the difference between trying to use this shot in practice versus in a match.
And then we went to work!
I gave Annas a few simple things to focus on while he was on a box getting extra reps and BOOM, he instantly starting feeling a difference on each attempt.
But this new shot is not the only thing Annas has been focused on since we've been working together inside The Spiker Academy throughout last year.
We also have been working to increase his overall range and improve his high ball attacking tool box!
As we've talked about before, every set is different...
So instead of just becoming super robotic and going to the same exact spot on every transition play, we must always be prepared to slightly adjust our approach once we determine where that set will actually end up.
Which is also why I remind so many of my athletes that we can always control our rhythm and our last two steps of our approach.
Even if you're super late on your approach, these last two steps will still help you take the best possible swing for the set you receive.
Just by staying curious and having a relentless pursuit to get better, Annas has now unlocked a brand new shot to his offensive arsenal before next season.
He even surprised a few of his teammates when he unleashed a nasty 4 to 4 shot during a free ball transition play that sent the whole bench into a hype frenzy.
It was sick!
So many people don't see the hours of hard work, difficulty learning new concepts, sacrifices made, and willingness to be uncomfortable, but it's all worth it during those "aha" moments.
I remember having a few of these "aha" moments of my own during my journey, and now I just get so stoked knowing that I can help other athletes achieve this feeling too.
If you're someone who's recently been struggling with a certain skill or concept, I'd love to help you build a framework to develop more intent into your training.
And just like Annas, once you join The Spiker Academy, you'll have 1:1 access to me whenever you have a question or need help with a new skill or technique.
Let's get to work!
Cody Kessel