SECRETS to Playing Defense in Beach Volleyball

[@Trapper3000]

I understand that its legal on sand, but it just looks so lifty to my eyes. Great content on the channel tho boys.

[@Red87star]

Agree...IF either hand maintains contact for a lengthy amount of time. I had to call this out on an opponent recently...it was really bad. If it pops up like it should, no worries at all! My understanding is this isn't supposed to replace a set, but more of an action in defense of a driven ball received in "no man's land" on the body.

[@talanky]

I've always wondered how to do this!

[@stefannazaruk442]

This is so helpful!!

[@schmitty8225]

Danny Kinda would be proud. When will we see the video for passing from the lowest point

[@justwatch1483]

Is that legal? Especially if you're using your fingers it seems like you're coming pretty close to a set. Would love clarification on that.

[@tobahero]

From my understanding; Gators are for hard drivin balls. But better beach can correct me if I'm wrong.

[@dzikiwazon]

@@tobahero not from better at beach but I agree. Any not hard-driven ball you should be able to position your body to dig it properly.

[@zanechi]

If you touch the ball simultaneously in one action, it’s legal. This technique is only used for defending hard fast attacks, not for reception or setting, or defending shots.

[@fett327]

Yeah, hard driven only. Seems like a key point that should have been mentioned at the beginning. It is an inherent double touch, which is only allowed on a hard driven ball. I guess it would "technically" be legal on non hard driven in you touch/release simultaneously (a la hand set), but that would be extremely unlikely.

[@brandonjoyner6046]

You all nailed it! Thanks for stepping in and helping!!

[@whatwatwat3727]

Do you have a video on round house severe???

[@brandonjoyner6046]

Unfortunately, we are still trying to perfect or float and spin serves. Maybe down the road!

[@pedrochaparro]

What drills would be nice to practice this?

[@brandonjoyner6046]

Check out or drill “4 steps to paradise” but perform the gator instead of platform or hand digs!

[@pedrochaparro]

@@brandonjoyner6046 thanks for the reply, is that drill in 36 Booklet drills?

[@pedrochaparro]

Found it :)

[@LORDVADER357]

You should be extremely agile and have mind blowing reflexes to do such thing whitout being called for a double or lift. Only if power spike is coming to you, otherwise referree will call it lift or double here.

[@gregelsnic2545]

A double was my thought too, especially with the explanation about the bottom hand redirecting the ball to the top hand. If you're quick you might avoid the lift call, but trying this on a soft attack is probably not your best move.

[@LORDVADER357]

@@gregelsnic2545In my mind this technique in this video is pure lift because you basicly grab the ball with your hands and your body is stationery at that precise moment if is fast or double if done slowly. Not to mention you are not allowed to play the ball with open fingers on defense/attack. Unless the ball is not hard driven. Only second balls can be done - to overhead pass. Anything which is not solid clear hit is a lift. So unless there is not counter hit to the ball this is a lift. Stomach/chest level balls? Typically in such scenarios i made counter hit and return the ball in the oponent side of court with different parts of my body. Depends. Mostly fists/wrists/shoulders. Or simply get lil bit lower and receive it normally. Emanuel Rego returned a ball with his stomach towards the oponent side of court and won the point. 2012 Prague Open. Knees a possible as well. Practice makes perfect.

[@brandonjoyner6046]

Don’t get it confused that this is a rebounding move. Meaning the ball will still have to bounce off your hands. If you try to grab and manipulate the ball then it will of course be called illegal. That’s not we are trying to get you to do. With making it a rebounding play, we think that there are certain things you can do with your hands and fingers to help that touch go where you want it. Hope you both give it a shot! Maybe you’ll be surprised when the ref doesn’t call a lift or double on your perfect gator dig. :)

[@LORDVADER357]

@@brandonjoyner6046 Lots and lots of problems with this gator style of digging. Unless there is not absolutely clear bounce from this "Gator" ref will call it double or lift. Plus ball could stuck between your hands or move between hands (since they are open) and still hit you in stomach or chest level. If ball is hard driven towards you then you can do just about anything (except catching) to the ball. But on soft attacks or free balls... Plus entire concept of this gator style actualy not make much of a sense. Because if ball coming towards me is faster than my reaction time i will miss it anyway. And if is in my reaction time frame then i will receive it normally. But if hands are not open or close together then there is no way to be lift or double. Like hadoken move at street fighter games.

[@chriswilson203]

@@LORDVADER357 You are allowed to double any first contact without regard to how hard a ball is hit (provided the contacts occur during one playing action). FIVB Rule 9.2.2.2 Consecutive contacts: At the first hit of the team, provided it is not made overhand with fingers) consecutive contacts are permitted provided that the contacts occur during one action During the first hit of the team if it is played overhand using fingers, the ball may NOT contact the fingers/ hands consecutively, even if the contacts occur during one action.

[@sharnrock]

HADUKIN!

[@CarlosEstrada-sg2ys]

I was told that for the first touch in sand your hands had to be touching on the the first contact

[@inversions101]

I heard the same... I would love clarity on that.

[@byraggs2978]

@@inversions101 on the first touch les say you're receiving you do have to have you hands touching. They can not. be open like indoor. However, I think the gator is for hard driven balls, and more of a reaction time thing.

[@betteratbeachvolleyball]

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[@pedrochaparro]

Price?

[@betteratbeachvolleyball]

@@pedrochaparro You can check out the different plans here. www.betteratbeach.com/ultimatedefender