Knee Pads = More confidence?

So I'm on my school's Intramural volleyball team, and the way the team's set up will have me playing the position of libero. I had no idea what the libero did, but after some research (googling and such), I've got some good info.
The libero gets most of the free balls, serve receives, and basically all the balls he/she can get to. You've gotta be a stellar passer and oftentimes have to set if the setter gets first ball. You also have to be a good digger and cover for the swingers, so this job includes getting horizontal for many points.
Reading this, I bought some Asics Rally knee pads at Big5 for $17 and change. Wore them on the court tonight and loved them! They're really comfortable, and didn't really slide down my legs at all (it was minimal movement if that), and in addition, we stayed on the court for the first 2 hours! It was pretty SICKKKKKKK.
I found that I'm more comfortable and confident anticipating and diving for more balls because I know I've got knee protection. Before, I used to give maybe 85 or 90% off of free balls, but now I'm going for every ball I can get to, which is what the libero is supposed to do.
Next up is dedicated volleyball shoes, which run anywhere from about $80 and up. It's an investment for sure, as I'd only be wearing them for volleyball and specifically in gyms.

Anyways, I got some good swings in tonight, and a sweet kill (tip) on left front over 2 blockers.
'Twas an eventful night!

Volleyball: Progress?

So I checked out YouTube and got my feet going in the right order: four step approach should be right left right left, with each step getting wider apart, except for the last step. For the three step, eliminate the first step with the right foot.
On the last right left step, you bring your hands back into "crane style" position and explode upwards with both hands pointed skyward.
As you're bringing both up, the swinging hand (or right in this case) pulls back from the wrist, creating a 90 degree angle with the arm. The fingers of the hand should be as spread out as possible to create the most influence on the ball.
Tonight I got some much better swings in, but still need to remember to swing hard every time (provided you've got the set to do it).

PS It pays to be next to a good setter, improving your game a lot faster than not. Joe had some sweet sets tonight (as well as the bro).
Still working on getting the crane back though...

Volleyball

So I've been going to back to my junior college for some volleyball action w/ the bro, and it's been real! I've been playing for less than 6 months, and it's a really fun sport/experience. I've been learning a lot since playing over in the rec center:
Learning how to set is one that I'm still working on, but I got an awesome backward set to a left hander perfectly. 'Twas legitttt...
Still learning the 6-2 rotation. Got some good pointers on where to go/what to do when in certain positions.
For example if you're in right front and the ball is on your side, you line up farther back to get ready to hit, but the second the ball goes over to their side, you have to go up front to block.
Also, I got a great up off of a spike which was a direct result of Rod's instruction, and interestingly enough, Rod's the one who hit it! So basically he said when blockers go up to block, set yourself (if you're in the back row) up to where you're ready to hit the ball in between the blockers should the ball come to you through that window thru the blockers. That's exactly what happened. Rod hit it right through the blockers and I got a great up through his tip.
Thanks to all for making my (learning) experience a great one!
: ]~KL
Thanks for the Goldfish, K.!
; ]