Volleyball is not just a sport for family picnics or even days lounging on the beach; it is a serious sport that many people play in competitions around the country.  Teamwork is a highly developed skill for successful volleyball players as volleyball is not a sport for a single person to play.  It is a team sport and will always remain a team sport.  The Olympics added volleyball as an official sport in 1964 and it is now played by millions around the world. 

A typical volleyball team consists of six players, with two teams playing against each other.  The purpose of the game is to keep the ball from hitting the floor, as well as increase teamwork.  Volleyball offers several benefits, including improving balance, hand-eye coordination, flexibility, agility, endurance, and overall body strength.  Concentration, focus, and discipline are also tuned from playing.  During volleyball, playing your child will come to rely on their impulsive instincts since decisions must be made in a matter of a split second. 

Volleyball is a sport that can easily be played in competition or just for fun, the decision is yours.  You can choose to look for a fun, recreational team or you can seek a competitive team for your child.  You should take your cue from your child to help determine which type of team they would be more comfortable with. 

While almost anyone can learn to play volleyball, those who tend to excel competitively, tend to be tall, lean, quick, and able to jump high.  Body strength is needed, as is the ability to sense where other team members are to help reduce the risk of injury from running into someone else.  Perseverance and high energy demands are also involved in the competitive volleyball world.  As with any competition sport, having a good competitive edge is also helpful to succeed. 

Children can start playing volleyball as young as 5 years old; however, most children do not start playing until they are in late middle school.  Competitive clubs typically start accepting children who are 12 and older.  When you are looking for a volleyball program for your child, you want to look for a coach who makes your child feel comfortable.  You should also ask whether the coaches are paid or volunteers.  Obviously if they are paid coaches, then you want to find a good coach who has a good track record of teaching the children good basic skills. 

The cost considerations are very inexpensive overall for volleyball.  All that is needed are good shoes, a net, volleyball, and kneepads if you are playing indoors.  You also need a place to set up the net, which can be set up between trees, or even on poles in your backyard.  If you choose competition volleyball then you would need to pay competition fees, as well as club dues.