April Ross | Practice like a Pro
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 16 авг 2024
- Professional Beach Volleyball Player, April Ross takes us through her beach volleyball practice, including how she mentally approaches each practice, and explains the skills she's working on and each of the drills she and her partner, Alix Klineman do. We then sit down with April and discuss how she debriefs practice to maximize their time spent down at the beach.
CLICK HERE goo.gl/rvxM5z TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RUclips CHANNEL!
VISIT MCKIBBINBROTHER... FOR OUR MERCHANDISE!!!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER HERE! goo.gl/sZaccz
FOLLOW THE BEARD BROS MCKIBBIN:
Instagram: @themckibbinbros goo.gl/JxiZNf
Riley's Instagram: @riley_mack4 goo.gl/91pyJx
Maddison's Instagram: @mmckibbi goo.gl/X1NaQz
Twitter: @TheMckibbinBros goo.gl/J6grgM
Facebook: McKibbin Volleyball goo.gl/ai83oW
Email: mckbvolleyball@mckibbinbrothers.com
20% off Discount code for all Wilson Volleyball Equipment!
Code: MCKBros-645
Wilson.com : goo.gl/DJVx1N
**We want to be transparent with you guys/gals, Wilson Sporting Goods is a sponsor of ours for beach volleyball and we do get a small kickback if you use our code, but you save some money on all beach volleyball equipment and we get paid a little. One of those "Win-Win" Situations!
Credits:
Talent: April Ross, Alix Klineman
Produced/Edited by: The McKibbin Brothers
Video Captured by: The McKibbin Brothers
Music: Epidemic Sound RUclips Subscription 
Спорт
TOP 3
1. getting better at serve receive.
2. keeping the ball in front of me when i'm swinging.
3. Putting 100% into every block.
love the content guys looking forward to the next one.
Kaleb Miller I have to literally talk to myself on service receive reminding me to move my feet every single time. It sounds stupid but it is helping me a lot. I am also looking at my serve-receive passing as its own game. I give myself a point for every clean pass and lose a point for every bad pass. Kind of like keeping track of my own plus-minus rating on just serve receive passing. By doing this I also forget about the score and don't get too caught up on points.
As far as keeping the ball in front of me... I am really trying to make it a point to wait at the halfway point of the court to start any approach. It's been harder on my legs overall but I look at it as good conditioning. Also keeping concentration on having my feet pointing at the center of the Court as I approach the set.
I'm no Pro but these are the things I do. Hope it helps.
it does, appreciate it!
Kaleb Miller same here I have to remember to keep the ball in front of me and do a full a approach and consistency
1 Buttery smooth sets
2. Arm swing and hitting on top of the ball
3. serve receive passing
great video btw!
1. an aggressive but accurate topspin serve
2. getting a second look when hitting
3. taking big explosive steps on defense
1: jumping higher
2: improving my toss for my float
3: diving/getting lower to dig a ball
1. bump setting!!! I was a setter indoor... not the same setting with your hands on the beach! easier to set with hands, but I'd rather master the bump set in case I can't hand set
2. having faster more efficient reactions to digging hard driven balls (I'm trying out the scooping effect)
3. being mentally being present when hitting, not just run and hit the ball but, slow down, look to where you want to hit, take a nice full approach, get your left arm up, high contact, and swing through the ball
PS I'm loving these videos!! SUPER helpful !!!!!
1. Being explosive on my approach footwork, especially on the last two steps
2. Arms back further on my approach to max jump
3. Getting in the batters box, waiting, then taking my approach to the ball
I only play indoor but these are the things I'm focusing on right now:
1. Better serve receive.
2. Better spiking footwork (I'm a short middle).
3. Honing my jump float and serving accuracy.
1) Putting speed on my float serve
2) Arm swing while attacking
3) Exploding upwards more when attacking (basically vertical jump training)
keep it up, loving your videos
3 things i'm working on:
- controlling my breathing, taking deep breaths
- getting into scoop defense position
- focus on toss for jump serve
1) Hitting mechanics(using correct form and staying flexible)
2) Scoop defense
3) Being a good partner after the set
1- Breathing before EVERY serve receive and serve. 2- waiting in batters box, 3- having fun (this one is harder than it sounds sometimes).
1:Work on timing the approach in the attack
2. the small legbounce right before the attacker hits when i play defence
3. Get and aggresive armswing when attacking.
I love your vids guys, keep it up!
TOP 3
1. Staying behind the ball when hitting
2. Discipline when blocking (not pulling off too early, pressing)
3. Staying positive when climbing out of a hole
1. Aggressive serving, either top spin jump serve or getting better at putting the ball where I want to on the court.
2. Waiting in the batters box and my approach.
3. Swinging, making sure I put my arms back before my jump and putting my opposite arm up before swinging on a ball.
1. Training under extra pressure because I allways loose the close matches 🙈
2. i Train to Jump higher because I am just 5.9
3. i really have to fix a plan how to practice beach Volleyball during the cold winter in Germany 🙈
Thanks by the way for your awesome videos - since the batters box I won so many local tournaments and increase my level of attacking heavily.... thank you so much ☺️
Not a beach volleyball player, but an indoor player here:
I recently switched positions (from middle blocker to outside hitter), so if I need to name three things I am currently working on, they would be: defense, serve receiving and hitting the ball at a higher point (although I am kinda working on more things than that haha).
@ 4:30, through her food filled mouth, is exactly what I and my players needed to hear. Keep this up, y'all are doing an awesome job!
Top three
1. keeping ball in front of hitting
2. staying on toes and being stopped during defense (no squatting)
3. Setting the ball right above forehead (indoor)
Top 3 things for me to work on
1: CONTROL (over the ball)
2: Jump Serve
3: Setting
Passing, Approach timing and Hitting swinging thru the ball!
Man, I love this. I'm 43 years old, 5'10" and picked up the game about 4 years ago -- so I am working with a lot of disadvantages. I consider myself a B-BB player.
My 3 things:
1. WAITING on the attack. I get under the ball 75-80% of the time.
2. Serve receive/passing. Your video on passing/serve-receive helped TREMENDOUSLY. Next time I was on the court, I focused on keeping space between my arms and body, and keeping my head level, and my passing was hugely improved.
3. Footwork on defense. (When I'm the defender, keeping my weight forward with hips and legs under me and "rooted" -- using my core to avoid collapsing, and keeping my feet from getting crossed up)
I had a career and training as a classical musician, so focused practice is something I'm familiar and comfortable with, but I have a hard time finding people who share my mindset that I can practice with and run drills with when it comes to volleyball.
1: Swinging faster
2: Keeping hitting technique while in the air
3: Developing good setting technique
I like how to first two kind of link together, and all 3 split between offence and defence. One tip that I would give you is training your core. What I've noticed for myself is it helps be to be a lot more stable when taking off and give a ton of body control. Only con is it take a little bit for it to translate into gameplay but when it does it really take your game to the next level. No tips for the 3rd one tho (im a middle )
1. Moving feet to ball when serve receive.
2. Wait in batters box and jump BEHIND the ball on attack.
3. Read the hitter and stay closer to the net,
My 3 things to work on:
1. hitting the ball on the highest spot and slightly in front of me, when I´m attacking.
2. always point to the antenna when I´m pump-setting.
3. stay calm and concentrate on the next point, when i made a mistake.
I like what you said about dealing with movement after the dig defense into chasing down a ball as a tall player
1. PATIENCE - waiting in the batter’s box
2. PATIENCE - waiting with a set position on defense before moving to the ball
3. PATIENCE - with myself and recognizing that practice is the perfect opportunity to goof up (in the name of getting better)
Aligning the body and/or mind while passing:
1.Right hip down (tendency to have right hip up)
2. Left arm full extension (slight bend in left elbow)
3. Confidence (i.e. pretend I'm someone I greatly admire or visualize wearing a superhero prop [cape for confidence, a blue Tick suit and antennas for grounding])
Thank you so much for your effort, enthusiasm, enlightenment, ZZ Top beards, respectful banter, good looks, and freely sharing your knowledge.
1. Keeping my platform away from my body during serve receive.
2. Max jumping on every attack no matter if I am going to hit or shoot.
3. Use my legs more while bump setting.
Fast feet, hips behind the ball, and relaxed on serve receive
Relaxed shoulder and hand, contracted scapula, tight core when attacking
Getting lower while blocking to be less visible and more explosive
The season is just starting in Montreal so i want to get back to basics.
Serve Receive
Setting
And pulling off the net when blocking.
Thanks for the videos!
Great video guys. Really like the theme of April Ross for the month of April.
Things I'm working on:
1. Staying light on my feet for defense
2. Picking spots when hitting (tend to swing hard all the time)
3.Talking! letting my teammate know what I'm doing and where the open court is.
Currently working on: watching the ball all the way into my platform, staying behind the ball when I hit, and jumping explosively.
Love your videos!
1.Footwork for deep shots
2. Stopping after drop to defend
3. Staying on toes not on hills
1 - set
2 - jump higher when attacking/spiking
3 - do my receive with a really good leg base
get that gold medal Ms April Ross!!!
TOP 3
1. Getting my body behind the ball on serve receive.
2. Keeping my arm high on my swing.
3. Reaction time when digging shots.
1) Waiting in the "batters box" prior to the approach
2) Making higher contact on all swings
3) Hand setting quicker to not get called for carries
1. Taking a more outside approach and waiting for the set (indoor)
2. Seeing the block
3. Solid platform in serve receive
Top 3 things
1. My running approach to spike
2.Following my hand through every ball while spiking
3. Serve receiving
@@themckibbinbrothers Thanks! I love your videos. Don't stop what you're doing. You guys are so helpful and awesome!
1. Pulling off the block turning the hips and getting set
2. Blocking working on timing and penetrating over
3. More consistent jump serve
1. Taking a breath before serving. 2. Go for it or be prepared for everything. 3. Hitting
Top 3
1. Serve recieve
2. Overhand set
3. Waiting at the batter's box
my top 3's:
1 jump explosively when I attack
2 wait in the batter's box
3 recive the ball as early as I can
Congrats on the hitting the 10K subscriber and here are the 3 things that am still working on:
1. Serve receive - moving my feet to make sure am behind the ball and releasing my plat form early before the ball making the contact and pass the ball off the net (more to middle of the court)
2. Waited at the batter box before making the approach and look at the defense before hit the ball.
3. Wait and react on the defense b/c I tend to move before the ball was even hit.
im not into beach volleyball, just regular (?) volleyball. Im new so im currently practicing the standing serve technique, basic setting so the ball goes straight (not left or right), and basic passing so that the ball hits both forearms with correct form.
1. Aggressive serve receive
2. Waiting in the batters box
3. Defensive read
Number 1, GROW A BEARD.. jkjk.
1) Hand setting
2) Placement of jump serve
3) Keeping a fixed space between the hitter and setter
1) Staying between opponents at the net after serve receive, so they can't go on 2.
2) When blocking angle, taking more angle (one hand on the ball, and the other to the inside of the court).
3) When hitting, seeing the defender, so I can make a decision to go highline or angle.
Great videos!
I've been working on the idea of focusing with the peripheral vision and observing "tells" of the opponent and stay patient defensively ( like the batter box idea offensively) stay positioned for a moment . At times I am moving before the opponents shot.
Mindfulness helps with the ‘play now, assess/analyse later’ mindset during a game. I struggle with this.
working on transition from indoor back to sand (SW PA, no beach) as an old coach and player. you guys rock!
1. Serve rec / passing because it's the most common ball touch and sets up the rest of the offense
2. Serve rec / passing because it's the most common ball touch and sets up the rest of the offense
3. Setting
Great work Bros! 10k is an awesome accomplishment and well earned!
Three things I have been working on this week (changes weekly):
1. Keeping the pass out in front of me, away from my body
2. Staying behind the ball on my approach; my tendency is to constantly over run the set on my last two explosive steps, so this has been a challenge for years
3. Work on a crisp touch on my shots, especially the cut shot from the left side (as a lefty).
1. get my serve recieve passes more to the higher and to the my side/center of the court
2. reading the offense better when on defense
3. keeping the ball high and infront of me when swinging
3 Things: reading the opponents shots, being quicker to react, communication with my partner on his offense
Great video, very helpful and inspirational. I have so many things to work, but since I am new to volleyball, I'm focusing on 2 right now that are holding me back.
1. Serve Receive. Watching the ball to platform, still head and arms out in front of me!
2. Hitting. The timing, being late to the ball and getting my feet to the ball so I'm not forced to use my left hand (my left is now pretty good).
Top3: 1. Defending line or cut shotted attacks from centered strike defence Position 2. Jumping high when going to spike attack 3. Reacting fast and correct in defense when the Ball is short in Front or over me tolle the Back line (this ist like a miracle die my brain ..)
Working on keeping my passes from serve receive consistent (not passing over the net).
Better positioning to cover my team mates.
And my approach/attack/spike. All of it really. Because I play recreationally I don't always have a team that will pass to a setter and even then I don't always have a setter to give me sets to work with. (We play 4v4's most of the time)
Right now i am tryig to get better at my float serve and improve my spike down the line, because i tend to cut shot a lot over the Block and become a little predictable.
10k guys! Its getting better and better each week!
1) I can roll shot pretty well but my full swings are lacking as I can't aim it and I have a tendency to contact the ball at the wrong spot causing it to net or go out.
2) Reading attackers
3) Being able to have consistent short & long float serves
1 trying to get a better receive, especially on good float serves 2 getting more of These Long high Rainbow shots because i often dont expect Them
Great video! Def have a giant crush on April haha! I'm working on:
• Controlling the pass more on serve receive
• Getting my full approach in when hitting to so I'm above the ball hitting down
• Peeling off the net all the way back instead into mid court
Olympic gold medalist April Ross!
1.serve receive, need to get my body behind it, I tend to receive relaxed when I shouldn't2. hand set, I cannot do this but I want to learn- thanks for the vid Casey and Mc Bros3. Blocks, need to jump higher to be more threatening.
As a 17u lib for court I'm really focusing on being more aggressive on serve receive, reading and digging tips more often and also just staying calm after a shank and not get in my own head
1 - my game vision
2 - arm swing
3 - Control the rhythm of my breath
Vision, seeing the defenders and blocker.
Hitting approaches
moving my feet to get behind the ball on serve receive
The moment at 0:47 captures what I think are key strengths of your videos: crisp editing and attention to detail. You speak casually but without the excess of "filler" phrases such as "like", "um.." "you know..." which are common in conversation but can distract in videos since they don't add value. Similarly, in segments such as the overview of the 3 areas of focus for the practice, the voiceover accompanied by the graphics and the action footage are blended really economically.
Three things I'm working on is developing my court vision and selection of my shots, my setting and spiking more consistently
Things I'm working on
Look at the defense more instead of only relying on my partner
Focusing on getting the point after a defensive play
Picking up cutshots
I literally wrote down 3 things I need to work on while I was practicing today... very helpful
thanks for the breakdown of your practice April, it was quite informative and helpful to get a bit of an inside's perspective.
great channel, thanks guys and gals.
Top 3 right now
1) Become more accurate with my serves
2) Recieve properly more often
3) Learn how to approach for a spike
1) Communication 2) aggressive on serve receive or defense 3) focus on my performance, do not worry about the good or bad performance of people around me
EVERYTHING! I'm working on everything
Jump serve, hand setting, controling frustration.
TOP 3
1. Swing and flick of the wrist
2. Serve foot work
3. reading the hitters
1. My batters box
2. Keep my left arm up when i'm going to hit the ball
3. Getting my feet to the ball
when playing D Waiting and reacting , instead of guessing ,, and Setting and looking , help my hitter with calls.
I’m trying to get better at cut shots, passing, and setting.
I really enjoy y’alls videos it’s nice to have some cool volleyball videos!!!
Hops,
Vision,
Endurance
you guys are awesome!
1. Better placement for sets
2. Serve control and power
3. Digging deeper
Because I’m an older player I’m working on getting up quickly after picking up the first ball, so I can be ready to play the third shot.
1. Swing to score and not just trying to wam the ball
2. Telling my hitter where to go
3. Setting my hitter differently for the situation
Keep feeding our brains more of this, per favore. Learning the psychology of upper echelon players is a tremendous advantage in solidifying skills that sometimes our bodies can’t link to intentions. Maybe throw a lav-mic on some of the athletes to hear more of the in-game chatter or conversation between partners and analyze post practice/match? Thank you bundles, Broszszsz
3 things i need to improve:
1) spiking sets off the net ( min. about 5ft off). I have been much more patient waiting at about the half way point of the court. But i am still struggling to swing at sets that are off the net (to avoid big blockers pressing) or balls that are being set back (away from the net)
2) digging hard driven balls... i notice i tend to have balls catch me about chest to stomach high and i get jammed or i have my hands out in front of me trying to open hand dig. I feel like i may not be measuring different players swings well enough to dig the hard driven ball and not compromise the amount of shots i can potentially cover.
3) consistent communication throughout offensive and defensive scenarios.
Setting, Waiting before approaching for a hit, and swinging my arms down and into my swing when I hit.
Keeping the ball in front of me when spiking, making sure I engage my core during the hit, and watching the hitter to read the hit.
Congrats on passing The AVP in subscribers! You are good for the game!
Really love your channel! I play volleyball but this makes me want to play beach volley! Can’t wait for summer to come to Sweden.
Very cool videos. How about one on April's cool-down & stretch routine. Recovery is key & she has some very interesting stretches. This is an aspect of sport that is often overlooked.
1.blocking
2. Attacking
3. Power and accuracy to both of those things
1. Serve receive
2. Batters box
3. Looking for short front shot option
timing my swing (not approaching too early)
serve receive
reading the hitter
1.Batters Box
2. Better receiving
3. Jump serve
Serve receive - pass ball in front of me in a low and ready Position, hips back
Jump serve - consistency and Placement
have a look - before jumping
Top 3 :
1. reception - keeping the ball in front of me and platform away from the body
2. arm swing - proper high elbow swing to save my shoulder;)
3. "just go" mentality in the defense - there's no undiggable balls
Top 3:
1. Get a smoother hand set
2. Get a more controlled snapdown on my hits
3. Trust my Teamate to do what I need him to do
this is so inspirational