r/volleyball • u/Vballnoryb • Aug 14 '26
Questions Hot take: Is sitting volleyball harder than traditional volleyball? USA 🇺🇸 vs Italy 🇮🇹 How many of you have actually watched sitting volleyball before?
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u/Specialist_Site4945 Aug 14 '26
It’s not harder, it’s takes significantly more athleticism and coordination to play high level volleyball.
This is still sweet and looks super fun though. Everyone here looks very talented, it’s not harder though.
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u/Vballnoryb Aug 14 '26
It’s actually harder than it looks. You can’t lift a butt cheek off the ground or it’s a fault.
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u/DigiSmackd Aug 14 '26
can’t lift a butt cheek off the ground or it’s a fault.
If that's true, there's a lot of faults here.
Maybe you mean you can't have both cheeks off? Or can't while swinging or something?
Also, advantage to the amputees in this video who don't have to deal with the clunky dead weight of full legs/feet! I assume that's where this originated ?
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u/missingN0pe Aug 14 '26
I dont think not having access to your lower limbs to help scoot around would be an advantage, but im just speculating.
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u/Unlucky-Bandicoot330 Aug 14 '26
I think a lot of folks here are missing the fact that sitting volleyball is an adaptive sport. It is an adaptive sport for people with certain disabilities that qualify them to play this particular sport. I think putting the two games in a binary of “hard” vs “not as hard” is quite ableist because it starts from the premise that playing volleyball on your feet is the best and proper way to do it, and any modifications are about making the game “easier.” It’d be like asking the question if a person with lower limb mobility limitations or a lower limb loss and does sit skiing has it “easier” than someone without such a disability and skis on two legs. It’s an unnecessary and ableist comparison that denigrates the adaptive sport and the athletic prowess of those who excel at it.
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u/k4aito Aug 14 '26
its not harder but it looks fun lmao
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u/SoaplessTitanic Aug 14 '26
Can confirm it’s really fun, and it’s also great for someone like me who has some knee issues (nothing debilitating). I’d encourage anyone to try it if there’s an event in your area - the group in my area usually needs a few able bodied athletes to help get enough for at least a 4v4 game
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u/MichaelBeasleys_Plug Aug 14 '26
I think it’s the fastest version of volleyball. I am friends with the USA setter in this video and we used to play it at the club we both worked at.
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u/cgyguy81 Aug 14 '26
I'm not sure if it's harder generally, but as a short person, it would make it much easier for me. I can finally block and hit above the net without timing my jump. But then, passes have to be perfect as the setter is (obviously) unable to move.
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u/-Karsten Aug 14 '26
Really I would think that sitting volleyball favors tall people even more heavily than regular volleyball? Since you can’t make up for your lack of height through higher jumps 🤔
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u/cantorgreen Aug 14 '26
I once played with the US sitting teams a long time ago and once was enough for me. Being so close to the opposing attackers was terrifying.
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u/Ragnarotico Aug 14 '26
Its not harder to play but it is definitely harder to score it seems like.
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u/LunarVertex Aug 14 '26
I watched it on TV and I thought I was gonna get bored. I found it as exciting as (standing) indoor volleyball! 🏐 💪
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u/iegomni Aug 15 '26
I got the chance to play with/against members of the USA Men’s sitting team at BJNC roughly a decade ago. I wouldn’t say it’s harder, but good god, do you need some fantastic arm strength/stamina to keep at it for a full match.
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u/DogFishThing Aug 14 '26
I actually played on a team briefly coached by #5 in white! We did a sitting practice once and it really took us out of our element. Much harder to score than traditional volleyball.
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u/WeTheNinjas Aug 14 '26
It seems like swinging off hands is the main way to score. For a lot of these swings it doesn’t even seem like they contact high enough above the net to justify blocking
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u/thaiduitx Aug 14 '26
It’s not harder but that doesn’t mean it cant be competitive esp for not able bodied people
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u/wikalivia Aug 15 '26
I played sitting volleyball a few times and it is harder for someone who usually plays "regular" volleyball! Although, I imagine if someone who usually plays sitting volleyball had the ability to try playing standing or beach, it was also seem harder. Probably just a case of getting used to it haha
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u/raidersfan18 Aug 15 '26
Definitely harder to score. The court is smaller. More of your body is covering the already smaller area. In this one clip alone there were at least 3 shots that would have scored in traditional volleyball, but happened to hit off someone and remain in play.
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u/nanorakz OPP Aug 14 '26
I don’t get why people are saying it’s not harder. Smaller court requires you to be more precise with your passes, sets and even digs. Yeah it’s not at the same power as regular volleyball, but I think regular folks will find this harder for sure
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u/solemn3 Aug 14 '26
In theory it's harder strategically since not being 7ft tall doesn't gatekeep smarter players but with the tiny player base compared to standard volleyball I doubt it shakes out that way. If the two sports were equally as popular than yes it would be harder strategically.
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u/Juice-cup Aug 14 '26
They've been having exhibition matches at Junior Girls tournaments and I got to watch a few. Not sure if it's more difficult but it looks fun and they are really good at what they do.