Three Countries with the Best Volleyball Players

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There are a ton of volleyball teams all over the world, but who are the best? This article will share who are the top countries in the world as well as top female and male volleyball players in the world. Also, some tips these players have shared. If you want to learn more, continue reading.

The Top Country

The best country worldwide at the sport of volleyball is Brazil. One of the top setters in Brazil is Bruno Rezende. He was born on July 2, 1986 and is a part of the men’s volleyball team for Brazil. He has gotten many medals in his lifetime, especially in the early 2000s. He’s gotten many silver and gold medals. One of the things he shows throughout his play is knowing how to set. You can see him, having his feet shoulder width apart as well as your dominant foot in front. Having his dominant foot in front helps with tight passes. The correct stance with his feet will make it seem like the heel of your non-dominant foot and toes of your dominant foot are making a square. Also, he bends your knees. There are many things you as an individual can learn from him.

Another fascinating thing about Brazil is their female team. Brazil also has a female team. They are also very talented. Their main setter is Fernanda Ferreira. What is a setter? You may ponder. Firstly, knowing what a volleyball set is important. A volleyball set is a pass over the head to a hitter so they are able to spike the volleyball over the net. Setters are very important because they can basically control the flow of the game on their side. That is why it is vital for the setter and players to have a good rhythm all together. She plays for the Brazil women’s national volleyball team. One of her best achievements was getting a gold medal in the Summer Olympics in the year 2002. From her play, you can learn how to also set properly.

For example, in your hands. For your hands, it is advised that you preshape the ball with your hands and flex your wrists back so they are ready to hit the ball. Your thumbs should also be facing each other; about two inches apart. However, it also depends on the size of your hand. If your hands are smaller, they should be farther apart and if they’re bigger, they should be closer together. Before you receive the ball, bend your elbows and then quickly push them up to exert power onto it. This is what you can learn from her.

The Second Best Team

The second best team in volleyball is the United States of America. In the late 1800’s, America created this sport. They are also one of the best teams in the world. In 1984, 1988 and 2008 (almost consecutive olympics) they won first place. Other tournaments they also won gold medals in were the FIVB World Championship in 1986, the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup in 1985 and 2015, and the FIVB World League in 2014. Even though the male team is quite impressive, the female team is almost equally as good. They won the FIVB World Championships and six editions of the FIVB World Grand Prix in 2014. They were very close to getting first place in the 1984, 2008 and 2012 Olympics but instead got second. Let’s get into the top players.

A fun fact about America is that they have one of the best liberos. Known as the best in his category for men, Erik Shoji is one of the top liberos. He received a bronze medal in the 2016 and 2018 Olympic Games. If you have seen real-life volleyball games, you will see him receiving the ball with their arms. In volleyball, there is a specific term that is used to describe the place from where the volleyball is hit. This is known as the platform or forearm. Setting your platform up isn’t as easy as it may seem.There is a certain (also modified versions) way to hold out your arms, interlock your fingers and more. This was Erik Shoji’s job.

A final fact is about their female libero. One of the best female liberos in American history was Justine Wong Orantes. She was from Nebraska. She won a gold medal in the Pan-American games and got third place in the FIVB in 2017. After seeing her play, we can observe that she makes sure not to have a two or three- motion platform. A two-motion platform would look like you first clasping your hands and then putting your elbows out. A three-motion platform is putting your arms out, then back in clasped and finally your elbows out. Imagine if the ball is coming to you thirty-miles per hour and you are taking three steps just to get in the formation. The one-motion platform was created so volleyball players would have an easier time.

The Third Best Team

Russia is the third best team in Volleyball. A fun fact about them is that they have a great top middle blocker in Russia named Dmitriy Muserskiy. He was born in October, 1988 and is a part of the men’s volleyball team for Russia. He has gotten many medals in his lifetime, especially in the early 2000s. He’s gotten many silver and gold medals. One of the plays he is good at is mirror blocking. This is one of the more popular ones due to it having a simple concept behind it. This drill requires two players and each of them on either side of the net.

This helps with more specific kinds of blocks being thrown your way due to you having to be precise. Something else he is good at is known as the jousting drill. No, this does not have to do with medieval times, but you could say it has a similar concept. Similarly to the previous one, two players should be at opposite sides of the net. From there, the coach will toss the ball into the air and whoever pushes it to the other player’s side first is victorious.

The final fact is that Russia also has a female team. They are also very talented. Their main blocker is Irina Vladimirovna Koroleva. She is known for her amazing blocking skills. For example, she is known as the block on the box. This requires three people which are the blocker and two hitters. From there, the two hitters will be standing on opposite sides of the court on the blocks like how it says in the name. Then, one at a time, they will pass, spike or do some kind of shot to the blocker so they can have more opportunities to hit the ball at different speeds, velocity, angles and more. There is one important reason for why this drill is popular and that is because it has to do with having good form. The blocker should be rebounding it to the court.

Thank you so much for reading this article. We hope that learning about these players will inspire you in your volleyball journey. Remember that each part should feel right to you. Best of luck!