United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi. My daughter is 12 and has been playing volleyball for a few years now but it's been very low key and not real competitive. She's never been able to "set" the ball, she always has to "bump" and her coaches have always been OK with it. Since they're getting older and more competitive I'm wondering if I should try to encourage her to try to "set" it. Has anyone gone through this? Basically I'm asking if anyone out there has played volleyball for several years with only bumping or do you pretty much have to be able to set if you want to play in junior high & high school. She really loves volleyball and I want her to do well, but I don't want to try to force her to do something she'll never be able to do. Thanks!

Hello, my name is Sarah and I'm 15. I've never played volleyball,so in that aspect I cannot help you. Sorry! But, I played basketball from about 4th to 8th grade. My coach was a very nice man and allowed me to do things "my way". By that, I mean that I would use mostly one arm in dribbling, shooting, ect. My coach constantly had me work with my bad arm so that it improved. It was incredibly hard sometimes, but with a little push it's incredible what you can really do. So I'd have to say the most important advice I can give is to keep working and pushing your daughter, not to the point she hates it, but to the point she becomes amazed at what she can do.

Also, don't ever let a coach tell your daughter she is not good enough to be competitive. With a little work she can be just as good, if not better, as the other girls.

Sorry I couldn't help with your main question!

Sarah/ROBPI/15

Thanks Sarah! That's very helpful. I'm glad you had a coach that was understanding and helpful. Her coaches are good too. I'm just having a hard time determining the difference between "pushing" and "encouraging". Like you said, I don't want her to get to the point where she hates it or quits because it hurts her arm.

You're welcome What helped me was TALKING. I'd always tell my mom what was frustrating me or what I simply could not do. As long as her communication is good with both you and her coaches, she should do just fine.

Good luck!

My 8th grade BPI daughter has never played competitive volleyball even though her older sister is a high school varsity and club vb ball player. We come from a long line of vb players; my sister played for Ohio State (full ride) and coaches as well as has her own personal vb trainer business. She is very understanding, as a coach, about differently abled players. She had one player who had limitations and my sister worked with her to get her to serve consistently. As long as the girl could get the ball over on a serve, that was fine. Her form didn't matter.

Can your daughter hold her injured arm over her head for any length of time? Is it weak in that position? If so, a "set" in that position may not result in ball control. If she can bump a set consistently with accuracy, I would think a coach would accept that based on her disability.

There is a position in volleyball called the labaro. The player is a backrow specialist. They only play the back row and generally take the serves...which usually requires a bump...that is passed to the setter. Some girls take a serve with their hands like a set but they have to have incredible strength and control. A bump can be just as effective.

A coach who understands that your daughter is differently abled should appreciate her focusing on her bumps. Again, if she can serve consistently, that's important, especially in Middle School.

Volleyball is such a fun sport. I wish your daughter well. My bpi daughter isn't very athletic in terms of organized sports but she rides horses and competes a bit. It's her passion and I think, when a child is passionate about an activity, they'll figure out a way to make it work. Enjoy the season!

Karen,

A "labaro" is a good idea. I had never heard of that. I might mention it to her coaches. That might be a good option for her.

No, she can't really hold her arm above her head for a long time. She can kind of put it up there, but only for a few seconds. I feel like she's doing pretty well. She's a really good bumper and she can serve effectively underhanded. I just wasn't sure if that could continue to "cut it" at this age.

Thanks for your post. I appreciate your help!

Deanna

I know the proper form of setting is with two hand together with palms facing up but can one set with one hand palm facing up? I can picture bumping with one hand and perhaps even tossing the ball up and serving with the same hand and arm but what about setting? Does anyone know the rules of volleyball? When your daughter bumps the volleyball, does she do it with both hands together or with her good hand and arm only?

I wouldn't push her to do anything. It sounds like she is having fun and I think she'll push herself to get better if she truly wants to.

Hello, I'm 17 years old and I've played volleyball for a few years. I can't set the ball either, so I just bump it or spike it and it works for me. There's nothing wrong with only bumping the ball. If she wants to practice setting then that's great! She should do what feels more comfortable for her. Hope this helps

Thanks for the help guys. It's good to know that she'll be OK if she can never set. I appreciate it!