Two steps forward; one step back (Rookie Rant)

[Back In The Saddle]

I'd forgotten how painful, and occassionally frustrating it is to be a rookie. Thankfully taking up volleyball this season has refreshed my memory.

Steps forward:
Recognizing when the ball is directly above the net when it's attacked from the other side
Noticing whether hitters are leaving the ground behind the attack line
Signaling that fact

Steps backward:
Not seeing the contact on the third hit well because I looked at the feet
Not really noticing whether the ball was above the net when attacked

After my game up my partner told me he was surprised by some of the doubles I called, and horrified by some that I didn't call. Considering that two weeks ago I wasn't seeing any doubles, let alone calling them...this level of gross inconsistency is a huge stride forward!

Steps forward:
Caught a libero serving in a second place in the rotation. All by my little lonesome. Even the scorekeeper hadn't noticed.
Called my first UD, for a sub repeatedly not waiting in the substitution zone. Talked to her coach after the second time it happened. Called it the next time. Coach tells the girl, "This was caused by you!" Love it when I have good coaches.

Steps backward:
Missed a bad net fault, while looking right at it. I have no idea how she hit the net. All I know is I'm trying to watch hands, and bodies, and even a foot or two, and the antenna, all at the same time and right in front of me. Then suddenly the net is shaking like somebody drove a truck into it. After the match my partner says he knew who did it (he made the call), but not how.

Spent even more energy focusing on the net after that, probably focused too much there and was not able to help my partner with a difficult touch call that I may have otherwise seen.

Grrrr. I'll be glad when I have the basics down pat.