Volleyball Trainings Sessions

The volleyball team unfortunately has only two training sessions a week. Our training is every Tuesday and Sunday 4pm-6pm. Mostly our training is separated in four parts: warm up, specific task, hitting, playing. We are starting every training with a proper warm up. That means: running, stretching light cardio activity to raise your body temperature. Then we are starting to warm up with the balls in pairs. We are peppering and doing specific tasks to warm up and to improve volleyball related movements. Afterwards our coach gives us specific tasks for example block training or receiving training. Then we are hitting from position four and two to prepare us for the following game. We try to play every session a game to prepare us for the next game which is usually that Wednesday.

How to be a volleyball player :)  

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to all my lovely follower.

Game Report: Semi Finale ARU vs. Crainfield (12th March 2014)

Today was the first time the men’s team played before us and we were able to cheer on our male teammates before our own game. They did very well and won 3:0 against Nottingham 2nds.

All the girls were very motivated because winning against Crainfield meant qualifying for the BUCS final. The whole game went very well. The team spread a lot of enthusiasm and we played as a real team. Every player helped the other teammate out and we were able to win 3:0 against Cranfield. Both ARU volleyball teams are now in the BUCS final. What a day. What a game. Keep it up ARU. Let’s fight for the BUCS title!

ARU Girls' Team 

Interview with Denis Kaliberda

Denis plays volleyball in the German National Team and is outside hitter. He is one of the best and unique volleyball talents worldwide. He started his career in 1999 and supported several German volleyball clubs. Since 2012 Denis plays in Italy. The highlight of his young career was the participation at the Olympic Games 2012 in London. The German Team achieved the 5^th rank.

How do you prepare yourself before an important game?

I try to do always the same things before game. For example I have pasta and chicken as lunch, wash my hands before I go into the gym and listen to my favourite playlist.

What was the moment memorable moment in your whole volleyball career?

There are two, one positive one negative. Firstly I lost in 2012 very close the German championship, by a mistake of me.

Secondly the qualification to the Olympic games 2012 in London.  It was such a great feeling. The whole atmosphere was amazing. Especially the opening event.

What is most important for you during the game?

To stay focused, trust in my teammates and myself.

Do you prefer playing in Germany or international?

I love to play in Germany, but if you want to earn more money, you have to go to Italy, Poland or Russia.

Is it more fun playing with the German National Team or with your club in Italy?

That’s hard to tell, I think life is a bit better during the season with the club. You have more time for yourself. Playing for my own country is amazing but really intense and exhausting as well.

What kind of training is most effective for you?

Most effective is difficult. I like to have a good kind of strengths training.

Denis hitting outside 

Team Social (1st March 2014)

After five triumphs in a row we deserved a girls team social. We had dinner and a couple of drinks at the Regals in the city centre of Cambridge. We celebrated our last games and were ready to dance. Some teammates of the men’s team joined our little party as well. Everybody had a really good time. Probably we should do it more often. Last semester we had a legendary potluck Thanksgiving dinner. These events are great to get each other better to know and to spend more time with amazing people. Thank you mates. 

WINNER TEAM J

Injuries

Over the years of playing volleyball I had several very painful injuries. Some players are lucky and never have big issues, but some aren’t so lucky and have to fight back to be strong and healthy again. I for example had three torn ligaments (http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Sprained-Ankle.htm) on my left foot and missed very important tournaments because of it. But you have to deal with these issues and it makes people stronger as a result. During the last game I injured my right hamstring. It was made worse as I wasn’t able to get rest because we were only six players and I didn’t want to cancel the whole game just because of me. Luckily for me I received the scholarship and I got physiotherapy the very next day. The physiotherapist treated me with a sports massage. It was very painful because my hamstring was still very sore and inflamed. In addition my Core Cambridge weight training was cancelled for two weeks and they had to change my trainings program to rest my hamstring.

It doesn’t matter what kind of injury a sports person gets, rehabilitation is very painful and takes a long time. But keep in mind “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it”.

Kinesio Tape to support my knee

Kinesio Tape to support my hamstring

                                                    

Game report: ARU vs. UEA (5th March 2014)

On the 5^th of March ARU once again played UEA. It was a rough game with a lot of emotions. Unfortunately ARU didn’t have a good start and we lost the first two sets. But we were able to fight back and won the third set. The fourth set was incredibly intense and very close. At exactly at 5pm the referee whistled the game to an end with the score at 19:19. All the players were very surprised and didn’t know what the issue was. Unfortunately ARU had only booked the court from 3pm-5pm. That means we have to replay the whole game. Everybody was very tired and unsatisfied with the situation but we have another chance to beat UEA. I personally can’t wait to replay the game. ARU – let’s fight!!!

ARU Girl's Team 

Circuit Session

Every Thursday morning starts with a circuit session at 9am. Sometimes it is really hard to get up in the morning but sharing this feeling with the other scholars makes it much easier. Circuit training is an efficient and challenging form of conditioning. It works well for developing strength, endurance (both aerobic and anaerobic), flexibility and co-ordination. After the ten minutes warm up we do three circuits at 45-second stations. Sometimes the last circuit has only 30 seconds. This depends on how we feel and if Helen, our circuit coach, is feeling generousJ. We have ten different stations: burpees, squats, lunges, skipping, plank, push ups, squats thrust and running (2x). Between the different stations are no breaks. The body is constantly in action and after you have finished one station you have to move straight to the following one. After finishing one circuit, we have a 3-minute break. A cool down and stretching follows.

Circuit training is popular amongst fitness enthusiasts for its challenging nature and individuals pushed for time find it can be a great way to develop a good all-round level of fitness in minimal time.

Scholars during a circuit session

Circuit coach Helen and myself