Answering Your Volleyball Questions!

[@scars5505]

If I may, here’s an additional question: Who are the top 5 best players you’ve ever played against?

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

omg...i think thats impossible to name!

[@STICKWORLD-y5o]

Leon Ivan zyatsev Simon Nishida Wallace I played against them in my dreams

[@savyapshtiwan43]

Erik:just a quick q&a Also erik:25 minutes He’s such a sweet guy tho😂🖤

[@xyronjamescruz4132]

You look like a genuinely good person, and your voice is angelic. Hope to see you play in Philippines.

[@thanglongnguyenvu3815]

I don't play the sport but my favorite player to see is the libero. They don't spike nor are they scorers, but they aren't short of heroic moments. If i was a player on the court and the libero rotates out, i'd probably feel nerve wrecked

[@broccolirahb]

I love how conversational this is. Feels like we’re just having coffee in your living room!

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

that’s what I was hoping for! 😀😀 thanks for watching!

[@austin_Boston98]

@Robert Exactly! 💯

[@casuberon5533]

I had so much fun watching you directing your teammates on defense. I have never seen a lebero so mindful of floor defense

[@ryanwest2949]

I agree with you. I love Logan Tom. In my opinion she was so strong in every aspect of the game and is often left off many lists because she’s be called difficult to play with. I personally love intensity and when people demand the best of me at all times. She was just so so good. As are you.

[@johncrisologo4957]

Hello Erik!!! Merry Christmas.

[@grogu_2003]

Erik you should make tutorials about defense (platform, receiving tips, footwork, positioning etc), and don't forget to include professional volleyball player somewhere in the tittle 😂

[@Toffeecup]

And give away all his secrets? Cheeky.

[@shilimousseau5215]

Professional libero height: 5’9-6’0 Me, a recreational libero: laughs in 4’10

[@aprilcastillo9895]

Very insightful! Definitely someone incredibly gifted at telling stories + just answering Q&A's the way you do. Continue being you!

[@darcys8229]

Thanks for answering my question, I saw your post of the temperature, it’s crazy!!! We have cold winters in Canada as well but not like that. Take care and merry Christmas.

[@rylieree]

i've only just begun playing volleyball. i was on the jv team for my school as a setter/right-side hitter (we played a 6-2). my new coach says i should consider the option of being a libero because of my height. i'm not short, but if there's a better setter on my high school team 5'5 isn't really tall enough to play much else. you are a huge inspiration to me and watching you analyze matches and even just have these conversation-like videos is really helpful! when you point out things in matches it makes it easier for me to study form and technique! thank you!

[@userxv]

My questions would be: Workout regime? diet? salary? and maybe how to practice skills on your own? (due to quarantine)

[@axeltprude]

Which players have you had a hard time receiving a hit or serve from? Also MERRY CHRISTMAS ERIK!

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

there are too many great players to name!

[@mgpbb4618]

Enjoyed this vlog so much. Pls do a part 2! Iv got lots of question!!!

[@eduardohita6523]

Have you ever thought about making tutorial videos on how to pass, how to set, etc? You are such an inspiration and great player for many of us amateurs! Getting tips from you would be amazing, thanks!

[@pitrovsecondary9454]

It is crazy how humble you are while being one of the best libero in the world. Is it you who edit and make these comments or do you have an editor? If it is you, its kind of weird having the attention of such a good player, and him actually replying, and caring.

[@chemykalya5555]

awee i just discovered your channel erik and honestly your videos and energy give so much genuine and positive vibes so thanks for making them and i’m sure thousands of other people enjoy them just as much as I do:D much love and merry christmas!

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

wow thank you so much for watching! that means a lot! Merry Christmas!

[@fernando.depaula]

I love it!!! You gotta do more of these Q&A vídeos.

[@keliemorgan808]

I loved this Q&A format! My question would be: How can we make men’s volleyball more mainstream in the US? I would love if the US could have a professional league like many other countries do. So few high schools and even colleges have men’s teams. 😢

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

idk! it’s so difficult especially at the moment. we need to start at the grassroots level and hopefully work up from there! 😀

[@monajogijogi7619]

Merry Christmas!! Your videos are so interesting and fun to whatch:) keep up the great work!

[@sebastian2456]

So happy my question got answered!!!!! Really hope you do this again!

[@anthonynkurt]

As a fellow volleyball nerd like yourself, I just watched a rerun yesterday of the women's 2019 CEV Final Serbia vs. Turkey from Ankara.....5 set thriller, coaching giants, big hitters/servers, raucous crowd, great libero play, etc.

[@evanhuang6325]

Always excited whenever you upload a new video! Merry Christmas Erik!

[@jurdshnsam1710]

Who is the best spiker you faced?

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

omg too many to name!

[@nefariogaming7068]

Hello hello, wanted to ask if you can create a video about receiving properly I want to be a libero because I am small and I was motivatated by your plays thankkks :)

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

thank you so much! I have 2 videos on receiving so I hope those can help! more videos to come! 😀

[@Gc-yk2nl]

Being okay not to be okay! Loved that one!

[@aprilidol]

BAHHAHAAH ERIK YOURE RUTHLESS telling max holt you dont get his jokes bahahhaah ripppp

[@michaelo5819]

MERRY CHRISTMAS ERIK from America, Santa Cruz, CA

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

Merry Christmas! yay Santa Cruz I remember coaching some club tournaments there!

[@mehtab9248]

You should make some videos teaching how to make your recieving good and also pancake

[@liammonahan2871]

i was the second question and i realized i never said thank you! i'm the starting libero for my colleges team now :)

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

Woohoo! No problem!

[@bballinbasics]

IMPORTANT QUESTION: as a defender, where are you supposed to have your hands right before someone hits?? I've heard that you should have it somewhere in the middle of platform and taking with hands, but I've seen most professional liberos just have platforms. thoughts from a pro??

[@whoshotjj]

Not a libero, but you should usually have your hands open when the hitter hits, because if you put your hands in a platform, and the ball is coming to near you but not to you, you have to open your hands, run to the position, then platform. And as you know, you should never run with your hands in a platform position., so it’s best to open your hands. I’m assuming professions liberos platform because they can predict where the ball is going

[@Simply_saikyo]

I went to 4-5 Stanford home games earlier this year and it was great. Sucks that it had to be canceled. I enjoyed watching it and trying to look for things that could help a new player like myself

[@Simply_saikyo]

Also Stanford clothes are really comfortable

[@user-oe7kt2is5t]

Great video Erik! Merry Christmas:)

[@johnaxcelrivera5699]

Hello Mr. Shoji! MERRY CHRISTMAS🥳 STAY SAFE ALWAYS 😊God bless you! 12:02 am here in PH! Gonna watch your vid now💯!!

[@juanfranciscopineda4638]

Here and on coach Donny’s the dig, you said fav players and they’re team all USA, what about fav players from other nations that you like most (be it watching them or playing with/against them)? Thanks for the time, absolutely love your channel :)

[@zulazman9552]

Can you made a passing and digging tutorial pls i need that so much!!!!

[@Angie-oo4fl]

merry christmas erik!! this video was a great present haha :)

[@Renovated.]

Erik I have a question, I just got into Volleyball recently. I want to be a Libero but I have never played on a actual team before. I have been practicing on my receiving and have been working out like crazy for 5 months, I'm scared that my hard work will turn out to be useless in the end. You're my inspiration and I need your help on this one question Is it possible to become a skilled Libero like you? I'm currently in High School so I'm late to Volleyball because everybody who made a name for themselves played when they were young. I'm scared that my hard work won't mean anything.

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

thank you for the kind words! i don't think its too late. some guys on the national team started later like early high school. you just gotta work your butt off and be a student of the game. you got this!

[@Renovated.]

@@ErikShojivolleyball THANK YOU SO MUCH ERIK!! At first I felt a little discouraged, but when I saw that my Idol actually responded to me and told me I could do it, I now feel like I can take on any challenge that faces me. I cannot express how thankful I am for you to take time out of your day to respond to me, I promise I won't let your kind words go to watse 🏐😁

[@ledled0519]

Merry Christmas Erik!🎄🎉🎊 Merry Christmas everyone!🎊🎉🎄 And also another great video👍👏

[@TYOrder1]

LOVE and miss Logan Tom. I hope she's doing well!

[@mikkeladamsen8380]

Awesome video and also... Merry christmas, Eric!

[@mugiamiftahulchoir8857]

man, it was never occurs to me that max holt would be funny, he's one of my favorite blocker along with david lee and lisinac.

[@wishdog]

Merry Christmas erik

[@whitefang3282]

Here's the question, i couldn't reach to you on instagram so lets try on youtube 😅 The question is, is it better to play with hand sleeves or without them (for liberos) , or is it just personal preference, and what would you reccomend?

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

hey! it’s all personal preference! 😀

[@hastethethird5956]

Merry Christmas Erik!

[@aaronwilliams1055]

How to get on the National USA Men’s volleyball team??? Qualifications/advice

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

play high school, club, college, pro. all experience helps. gotta work hard and improve your game! hope to see you there soon!

[@aaronwilliams1055]

@@ErikShojivolleyball Does playing D2 instead of D1 hinder your chances?

[@jonathanbautista9222]

Hey Erik! I just saw a video from Power Volleyball where they created their 2019 Dream team! I would love to know who your All-Star Dream team would be?

[@potatethegreat1441]

12/10 content

[@tofu_nheil]

Since you made this kind of content (A Q&A) that is so helpful to an aspiring vball player like me and to be a pro like you... My question is, is it too late to start playing volleyball at 19? I hope someone give me a volleyball equipment like the ball.

[@saifallarakia692]

I am not a volleyball player but it never is late i know someone that went to med school at 38 so it is never late i learned to play soccer at 20 and played on a team

[@Priimess]

I'm a male junior in highschool, and there isn't a male volleyball team at my school. I really want to try volleyball, but I have no idea how. Does anyone have advice on how o could get into it for fun?

[@callaeuw]

see if there are any clubs near you. that's what i did, and i managed to find a team.

[@unstopable20q29]

Hey Erik, im serious with this question and please answer this with discrete info. How did u get in a international team in VNL. Basically, im going to be joining a club and i just want to know what are the levels from being a child to going to states to all the way to VNL

[@raiky3259]

In germany normally: 1. You join a very good team in your region. 2. You play on tournaments. 3. You get scouted from a state coach. 4. You play with the best players from your region against other regions. You get scoutet there or on a normal tournament with your normal team by the youth nationalteam. 5. You get invited to train with the youth nationalteam. 6. You become a youth national player. 7. You change the school to a sport internat. 8. You play for your school. 9. You sign a contract with a first league club. 10. The nationalteam coach notice you and you become a national player. Soo short 1. Join a very good youth team. 2. You will get scouted. 3. U16-u21 nationalteam. 4. First league debut. 6. Nationalteam

[@mikey88]

I have the same question too, I have plans to go professional but don't know where to go

[@Wrhentschel]

How did you go about developing your platform? Was there a lot of trial and error before you found something that worked consistently?

[@kiyanz4904]

Can I still re-learn Volleyball if I'm 19? (Is there any chance that If I do so I can join a team?) Used to play on a team when I was 13 and 14

[@jay5533]

Would you love to play here in the Philippines? I'm a fan of yours!!

[@jasonperin116]

Who is your teammate crush?

[@mikikoxik]

Hi Erik, appreciate your videos, could you tell me where do you get a footage from different angled cameras like you do for your reviews? Merry Christmas everyone 🌲

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

thank you for watching. I get them from a portal that i have access to. but its a secret. sorry! hope you keep watching!

[@jameslchen6050]

The best at beach is probably Kawika Shoji.

[@jayayo6392]

Hi Erick, do you have any advice for someone trying to join a D1 school as a walk-on player? What do the coaches look for? My goal is to be the teams libero :). Thanks for the video & happy holidays!

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

happy holidays to you as well! make sure the coaches know about you...send them emails, film, attend camps..that will help them keep you on their radar. then once youre at the school and on the team kill it with you work ethic, communication, and being a good teammate. hope that helps!

[@jayayo6392]

@@ErikShojivolleyball Thank you so much! This definitely helps.

[@eduardmaquirang4463]

Hi Erik, Merry Christmas

[@karke2491]

I know it's a bit too late to ask, but here it goes. Is there any like age restrictions for becoming a pro player, because im like 15 now and in the national team. Started this October. My goal is to be best mid blocker in the world, do you think there's any chance of this happening?

[@miggysilvestre]

i think you can... wilfredo leon had his debut as a pro when he was 17

[@raiky3259]

Ben Patch starts playing volleyball with 15 or 16. So don't worry.

[@raiky3259]

@@miggysilvestre Leon is the worst player you could choose, he made his debut for the cuban nationalteam with just 14 years 😂. Leon is just ridiculous talented.

[@miggysilvestre]

@@raiky3259 oh thank you for the info mate! appreciate it

[@raiky3259]

@@miggysilvestre You're welcome, mate

[@penoitbaire67]

Hey Erik, I have a question. Your team is from Novy Urengoy but all of you live in Moscow and train there and then fly so far to play home court games in Urengoy. Why? Cheers!

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

yes we live south of Moscow and play in Novy Urengoy. I don’t know the exact reason but the team was founded in Novy Urengoy but the club understands it would be pretty difficult to live there. I’m not 100% sure though

[@antoinecharlot3519]

jeez, how can i got this marvelous outfit you have here ? Greetings from France !

[@lana9326]

Hi. I'm 16 year old girl and 177 cm tall (56kg weight). What position in volleyball team can I be? I have not done sport in long time but I want to try play volleyball. Is there any chance in my age to start?

[@binarysunsets665]

go for outside hitter as its the best position to practice all fundamentals. You get to hit, block pass amd defend and its great

[@lana9326]

@@binarysunsets665 thank you!

[@aaronsamperio7954]

Merry Christmas ☃️

[@bradydemers7545]

How do you get into volleyball if there’s no volleyball club we’re you live

[@oungl250]

Either move or just get insanely good so you can show college coaches the potential you have and hopefully you can get recruited or walk on

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

thats a tough one! you might have to travel or play in local leagues at local gyms if they have them!

[@rubsbalotoliii]

Hii Mr.Shoji Merry Christmas... I loved your vids and I'm really inspired playing volleyball.. I'm not tall but can I really stand a chance against tall people?? Btw I'm 163cm. Love from Philippines

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

Merry Christmas and thanks for watching. you can do it but all your skills will need to be so so good to compete against taller players! you got this!

[@rubsbalotoliii]

@@ErikShojivolleyball Thank you for your encouragement.. I'll never let u down 😃❤️

[@zaynmalik80]

Was hoping that my question will be picked but it wasn't so.... I'll just ask it here. So who'll be in your all time team USA first 6 including libero?

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

oh gosh that’s such a hard question! I can’t answer that!

[@zaynmalik80]

@@ErikShojivolleyball 😔😔😔

[@coralgreen718]

How often are you required to get a physical?

[@artyomd.7739]

Nice vid 👌👌👌

[@Flame-zn7jp]

Merry Christmas

[@rjmamba508]

I dare you to read the Haikyuu manga, Adlers vs Black Jackals

[@imadakhoullou7877]

WHEN I FIRST SAW YOUR VIDEOS YOUR SHOULDERS LOOKED WIDE I WAS LIKE HE MUST BE SUPER TALL AND THEN I SAE YOU IN A MATCH LOOKING SMALL BETWEEN THE OTHERS I WAS LIKE SO THAT WAS A FUCKING LIE XD XD

[@axeltprude]

LOL he's like 6 ft.

[@imadakhoullou7877]

@@axeltprude that's kinda scary right ?! XD he's 6ft and still get dwarfed

[@axeltprude]

@@imadakhoullou7877 it is but his team mates are like taller than him by a few inches. i think it's also partly because he crouches a lot to receive the ball? lol

[@imadakhoullou7877]

@@axeltprude True that

[@twistedaries398]

Ive never played volleyball in my life but there is a slight chance my highschool could have a boys team next year. Ill be a senior next year, is it still worth it to join?

[@tiagocampos229]

Of course! It's never too late to start volleyball

[@micah5409]

first, they would surely have some starters and substitutes. just imagine how much you would prove to yourself if you made it as a starter on your first time! sign up! :)

[@MrLiau12345]

Great stuff as usual! Was wondering... you faced Zaytsev and his 4 aces in 2014. What was the experience like haha

[@userxv]

Why are professional volleyball players' salaries so shit compared to literally any other sport? NBA players are literally paid millions, football players as well. Is it just a matter of popularity?

[@whitefang3282]

Because more people watch NBA and football, football is the most popular sport in the world, basketball is the second probably and there is your answer. I am a volleyball player and yeah, it hurts...

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

yah probably just due to popularity and the amount of sponsors.

[@raiky3259]

@@whitefang3282 soccer?

[@leif_1733]

Merry Christmas, Erik. I hope you can answer my question from IG. :(

[@fountainwalk]

Hi Happy Holidays!

[@zakk0730]

Hello?

[@sbm0106]

ハワイとモスクワじゃえらい違いだよな。小錦が日本に来る時「あんな寒い国に行くのはやめろ」って親に止められたみたいな話とは規模が違うw

[@panteabarahouei4386]

♥️♥️👌

[@dtanimates4080]

Hi

[@MrRobfromphx]

when you get a chance check this "Shelley going beast mode" She is a 14-year all-around player. If you need more film let me know. But please Would love to know what you think. Thank you

[@michaelo5819]

Please your Brother Hi from Us too 😁

[@tomasbessasciacca2176]

You didn’t answer my questions... sad! But I actually have another one: do you think that there is a lot of homophobia in pro volleyball and even in college/high school?

[@hastethethird5956]

I wouldn't say so, I've seen and played with many homosexuals that play the sport, there are some dominant players like Benjamin Patch. I really dislike this question because it shouldn't even be one, volleyball is a sport and anything outside it doesn't matter, if you're good, you are good, if you aren't well you aren't good.

[@tomasbessasciacca2176]

@@hastethethird5956 it might be but it has interfered be4 in my carrer as a coach/athlete and I worry about my future and dreams... my goal of being a pro coach! I’m a defender of “share love, not hate” and I try to input that in my players and wherever I pass but I can’t help but worry and wonder about my future... anyways, I’m probably just wondering about nothing!!! Have a nice day

[@hastethethird5956]

@@tomasbessasciacca2176 I totally agree with you, I just dislike that people have to even consider this being a factor, it's similar to race or sex, gender, etc. If you are great, nothing will change that. Merry Christmas!

[@tomasbessasciacca2176]

@@hastethethird5956 let’s keep on fighting for a better world! Maybe one day someone won’t have to think about this

[@ErikShojivolleyball]

i think it is improving. some places and teams will be better than others but let's all continue to share love and be kind to one another!

[@karke2491]

Sup

[@aysiahusby8594]

Merry Christmas Erik!

[@fzz6333]

Merry Christmas Erik!