I wonder what lessons pro players who were previously successful internationally but have come up short lately have taken away from these past few years: Is a new playing style required of them to hang with the world's best, leading to new partners, different techniques, also a different emphasis in their workout routines (more ball control and improvisational skills than ever)? Or is it even possible to anticipate the next new wave (after this ongoing option-play revolution) and prepare for that to gain an advantage by thinking yet another step ahead? These are certainly exciting times for these athletes and our sport.
It's been fun seeing the game change. It went HUGE for a while, to the point that Phil was normal, and then the counter-move was jump-setting and ball control and movement. Don't know what the next wave will be -- maybe guys like Wemby or Durant or Giannis, 7 foot freaks who can do everything
@SANDCASTPodcast Basketball used to be straightforward. Big guys posted up one-on-one and either scored or didn't. Shooters shot out of double-teams. The whole game was predictable and "honest". Likewise, beach volleyball was long set in its ways. I don't recall a single cut shot from Emanuel Rego, nor a single rainbow pokey from Todd Rogers. With them, it was three contacts and then spike the ball to either score or be blocked/dug, one rally after another. They also rarely went with option plays; it had a stain of dishonesty. Now, everything is wide open; nothing is off the table in terms of strategy. So the next step should be an increase in variety and efficiency rather than a whole different approach to the game (unless a rule change fundamentally alters the game the way the rally-point system did).
I wonder what lessons pro players who were previously successful internationally but have come up short lately have taken away from these past few years:
Is a new playing style required of them to hang with the world's best, leading to new partners, different techniques, also a different emphasis in their workout routines (more ball control and improvisational skills than ever)?
Or is it even possible to anticipate the next new wave (after this ongoing option-play revolution) and prepare for that to gain an advantage by thinking yet another step ahead? These are certainly exciting times for these athletes and our sport.
It's been fun seeing the game change. It went HUGE for a while, to the point that Phil was normal, and then the counter-move was jump-setting and ball control and movement. Don't know what the next wave will be -- maybe guys like Wemby or Durant or Giannis, 7 foot freaks who can do everything
@SANDCASTPodcast
Basketball used to be straightforward. Big guys posted up one-on-one and either scored or didn't. Shooters shot out of double-teams. The whole game was predictable and "honest".
Likewise, beach volleyball was long set in its ways. I don't recall a single cut shot from Emanuel Rego, nor a single rainbow pokey from Todd Rogers. With them, it was three contacts and then spike the ball to either score or be blocked/dug, one rally after another. They also rarely went with option plays; it had a stain of dishonesty.
Now, everything is wide open; nothing is off the table in terms of strategy. So the next step should be an increase in variety and efficiency rather than a whole different approach to the game (unless a rule change fundamentally alters the game the way the rally-point system did).
Tri…Call Evan
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Good luck Tri! Keep fighting and have a big 2025 on the sand!
Appreciate ya!
Good luck Tri! Sorry Savvy is just on her phone, not giving a shit. We care 🙏
Savvy is looking for the next question to ask.