If you are thinking about getting your child involved in a sport, volleyball is one of the best decisions you can make. It is a fast-paced, fun, and incredibly beneficial sport, not just physically, but also mentally and socially.
Whether your child is in elementary school or entering high school, getting them into volleyball will help shape their growth in meaningful ways. Here are 10 key benefits of volleyball, especially for kids and teens.
5 Physical Benefits of Playing Volleyball
1. It Helps Build Strength from Head to Toe
Volleyball is a full-body sport that engages multiple muscles in the body and helps build overall strength over time. A volleyball player must use their legs to jump and move quickly, their core for balance and control, and their arms and shoulders to pass, set, and spike.
Over time, kids who play volleyball naturally develop muscle strength, coordination, and better posture, without even realizing they’re getting a workout.
2. Volleyball Boosts Endurance and Heart Health
Volleyball involves constant movement, which increases the heart rate and boosts overall cardiovascular activity for players. Playing volleyball involves taking short sprints, side steps, and quick turns. All this action helps increase cardiovascular fitness, which is essential for heart health and stamina.
In the United States, especially, where many teenagers develop heart disease risk factors like obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, playing volleyball can keep your child’s body strong and their energy levels up, significantly reducing the risk of heart disease.
3. Playing Volleyball Improves Reflexes, Speed, and Agility
In volleyball, the ball moves quickly, and players need to be alert and ready to respond at a moment’s notice, which in turn sharpens their reflexes and improves agility. Over time, a kid who plays volleyball will get better at moving quickly, staying light on their feet, and making split-second decisions. This high rate of physical activity translates into sharpness and effectiveness in other areas of their lives.
4. Volleyball Encourages Better Coordination and Balance
Playing volleyball is a fantastic way to enhance body balance and coordination. Serving, setting, and receiving the ball require hand-eye coordination and body awareness. These are important skills that also help in other sports, and even in day-to-day activities like riding a bike or climbing stairs.
5. Volley Helps With Weight Management and Overall Fitness
Volleyball involves constant and diverse movements that burn calories and keep players moving, which helps maintain a healthy weight and contributes to overall fitness.
In the U.S, where about 39% of youth aged 12-19 are classified as either obese or overweight, playing volleyball is a fun way for a teen to manage their weight and have fun, even if they might not enjoy running or gym workouts.
4 Mental Benefits of Playing Volleyball
1. It Improves Focus and Mental Sharpness
Playing volleyball requires players to watch the ball, read opponents’ movements, and make quick choices. With an attention span crisis currently ongoing in the U.S, playing volley is a good way for kids to strengthen concentration, memory, and reaction time, all of which are useful in school and daily life.
2. It Reduces Stress and Boosts Mood
Much like many other types of exercise, playing volleyball releases endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. These help reduce stress and anxiety, which is especially helpful for kids juggling schoolwork, social pressure, or other emotional challenges.
3. It Builds Confidence and Resilience
Playing volleyball invariably means learning new skills and achieving small goals, which are all important for building confidence in children. Even small goals like making a successful serve and picking themselves up after losing a game can help kids build confidence and emotional resilience. Playing volleyball, especially in a competitive setting, will teach them that progress comes with practice, and that it’s okay to make mistakes along the way.
4. Teaches Discipline and Responsibility
Being part of a volleyball team involves commitment. Players must show up for practice, listen to coaches, and train to improve. These useful habits help kids learn discipline, responsibility, and time management.
3 Social Benefits of Volleyball
1. Volleyball Teaches Teamwork and Communication
Volleyball is a team sport that depends on communication. Players must call for the ball, signal plays, and support one another constantly. This teaches kids how to listen, speak clearly, and work together to reach a common goal. These skills carry into school, work, and relationships.
2. Builds Lifelong Friendships
Playing volleyball in a team gives kids opportunities to connect in meaningful ways, which can lead to strong, healthy, long-term friendships. From team bonding activities to game day celebrations, volleyball offers plenty of chances for kids to build deep social connections.
These shared experiences often lead to lasting friendships and a sense of belonging, which is especially valuable during the formative years.
3. Encourages Sportsmanship and Respect
In volleyball, players must respect the rules, their teammates, their coaches, and even their opponents. It teaches humility in victory and grace in defeat, important lessons that extend beyond the court.
How to Get Your Kid Into Volleyball
If your kid starts showing interest in volleyball, try as much as possible to get them the right volleyball training equipment so they can start practicing at home. Building their skills in private translates to great performances on the volleyball court, which will boost their confidence and encourage them to reach for more success.
This Zelus Volleyball Practice Net comes with an adjustable station with ball return, and is perfect for improving diverse volleyball skills, from serving, passing, to striking. The front net is fully adjustable (from 6.5 to 8 ft.), with clear markings for quick height changes.
With a sturdy metal base, a 5-strand netting, a strong fiberglass frame, and 4 ground stakes, you can set it up to be sturdy, solid, and secure, even in windy conditions or intense play
Final Thoughts on Volleyball for Kids
Volleyball is suitable for all skill levels. Whether your child is naturally athletic or still finding their coordination, there’s a role for them on the court. It’s also a non-contact sport, which reduces the risk of injuries compared to more physical sports like football or hockey.
Plus, it can be played year-round, indoors during the colder months, and outdoors when the weather is nice. Kids can join school teams, local leagues, or even casual neighborhood games at the park or beach.
If you are exploring more recommended sports for your kid(s), our guide on the benefits of soccer to children may be of equal interest (and value) to you!
