This is what five top "beach volleyball" professionals said about beach volleyball and how it helped improve their indoor volleyball game...
Misty May-Treaner: Two time Olympic Gold medalist / World Champion
As an athlete, it is very important to stay one step ahead of the competition. As I enter my 9th season as a professional volleyball player I feel very fortunate to have a career doing something that I grew up playing and love. I grew up playing indoor volleyball as many players get their start that way but whenever I had the chance; I would go play a game or two at the beach. I believe the game of indoor and beach volleyball fit hand in hand. A lot of players get scared with the beach game and find that it is a bit tougher. Yes, this is correct but building a good beach game will only make playing indoors easier. The same skills are developed and used in both games. I believe mixing in the cross training on the sand helps with longevity (since it is easier on your body), problem solving (strategy, reading hitters and defense), strength, and developing your all around skills. Playing on the sand helps to build complete players. Everyone want to improve and where else then in the sand. Plus, it is such a fun game that can be played for years and years. I really recommend mixing in sand workouts and beach training into your indoor volleyball regime.
Kerri Walsh: Two time Olympic Gold medalist / World Champion
I cannot stress enough how strongly I feel about young indoor players getting their feet in the sand and playing beach volleyball. I truly wish that I had played when I was younger because I know, without a doubt in my mind, that it would have made me a better overall indoor player. Whether you are playing 2 on 2, 4 on 4 or 6 on 6, get out there and play. Play older people, younger kids, girls whoever, as long as you are playing. I will improve your overall skills, your strength and stamina, and it will teach you the importance of communication and being a good team player. It’s a great workout, but most importantly it’s a lot of fun.
Enjoy your sand workouts and know that however hard you push yourself you will certainly be rewarded.
Elaine Youngs: Olympic Bronze Medalist
I started playing beach and indoor volleyball at the same time, when I was 15 years old (sophomore in High School). I was extremely busy with club and high school volleyball but whenever I got a chance I would get to the beach and play volleyball. What I noticed was that my confidence, quickness, jump, were all improving tremendously from having to maneuver in the deep sand. I found that I could cover so much more court on defense when I got back into the gym. But most of all I loved playing co-ed against the boys on the beach! This really elevated my level of play because I had to really compete to beat them.
Adam Johnson is by far one of the BEST indoor and beach players ever. Adam's worldwide knowledge and experience of the game will benefit everyone he comes in contact with.
Play, play and play!!! That's my motto even today.
Best of luck in the future... EY
Rachel Wacholder: #7 ranked player on the AVP Tour “07”
Looking back on my career, the one thing I would definitely change is that I would have started playing beach volleyball at a much younger age. I was so focused on indoor volleyball that I didn’t think much about the benefits that playing beach would bring to my indoor game. I you can jump and move well in the sand, and pass and set well in the wind, it makes everything seem so much easier when you go back inside. On the beach you have to work on every skill and have to communicate at all times. Even if your long-term goals are not to play beach, I have no doubt it will improve your indoor game by getting out there.
Having as decorated of a player and coach as Adam Johnson in Austin is an amazing opportunity for young volleyball players to get some of the most superior beach and indoor training around. Take advantage-he is one of the BEST...
Karch Kiraly: Olympic Gold Medalist 1984, 1988 and 1996
This is what Three Time Olympic Gold Medallist Karch Kiraly had to say about Adam Johnson...
I had the honor of teaming with Adam for four seasons on the AVP Tour, after having played against him for many years, so I got to see his game from every perspective. Forming a beautiful forearm platform, he was one of the best passers and best controllers of the ball I've ever played with. He combined that ball control with an explosiveness and mobility that made him the best defensive player of his generation. Probably most impressive though, was the technical soundness of his armswing, which made him scary to face on defense and even scarier to face when he delivered his lethal jump-serve."
Adam Johnson: USA Men's National Team/ Three Time First Team All American/ NCAA Division One Player of the Year/ World Champion/ 5 Time US Open Champion
After I finished my indoor Career, I decided to take my experience and knowledge to the beach, on the AVP Tour (Association of Volleyball Professionals).
At the end of my first season on the beach, I once again had an opportunity to play in a professional indoor league (for the next four years) and was amazed to see how the level of my indoor game had dramatically improved. I was moving quicker, my body was stronger, my ball control had improved, I could see the block and the court much better.
I just wish I had started playing beach volleyball when I was in Middle School. I will always have the thought in my mind, "what level could my indoor game really have reached."