Thanks for the post, very timely as we are evaluating similar decisions with our program at the moment. What was the time frame for changing the serving strategy between GP & WC? How many others changed strategy? How much was the decision based on serve outcome alone, vs allowing for more points to be won through block defence and transition? Looking at individuals with my Men's collegiate team and making decisions now to hopefully impact our opponent xSO for playoffs in 5 weeks (~20 training sessions). I believe it is enough time based on our individuals and previous ability to buy in and make change. We mostly feel it will improve our ability to transition, rather than improve opponent pass quality or xFBSO.
We had about a month-long training block between GP and WC that year. We looked primarily at serve outcome; the main calculus was, "we're missing too many and not really getting aces out of it."
Also worth noting that we were a good block/defense team, and our transition offense really improved in WCs as well, so if you took that perspective, this serving change did allow us to create more transition opportunities.
I think 5 weeks is definitely enough time to make a change, provided the athletes are bought in and understand why you're making a particular change.
Note to self: only recruit 6’8 hitters going forward and teach my players the benefit of the underhand serve.
Thanks for the post, very timely as we are evaluating similar decisions with our program at the moment. What was the time frame for changing the serving strategy between GP & WC? How many others changed strategy? How much was the decision based on serve outcome alone, vs allowing for more points to be won through block defence and transition? Looking at individuals with my Men's collegiate team and making decisions now to hopefully impact our opponent xSO for playoffs in 5 weeks (~20 training sessions). I believe it is enough time based on our individuals and previous ability to buy in and make change. We mostly feel it will improve our ability to transition, rather than improve opponent pass quality or xFBSO.
We had about a month-long training block between GP and WC that year. We looked primarily at serve outcome; the main calculus was, "we're missing too many and not really getting aces out of it."
Also worth noting that we were a good block/defense team, and our transition offense really improved in WCs as well, so if you took that perspective, this serving change did allow us to create more transition opportunities.
I think 5 weeks is definitely enough time to make a change, provided the athletes are bought in and understand why you're making a particular change.