Should You Play Basketball or Volleyball? 5 Things to Consider

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Both basketball and volleyball are games that require fluid and explosive movements. The similarities end there because the differences are night and day. Volleyball’s objective is to legally hit the ball over the net using the hand (or foot, in some cases). On the other hand, basketball’s goal is to score points on a basket by guiding the ball through the hoop. If you’re interested in sports and pretty much on the fence between the two, should you play basketball or volleyball

Basketball vs. VolleyballBasketball vs. Volleyball

As previously mentioned, basketball and volleyball require different skills because the two sports are different at their cores. If you want to compare the basic skills in basketball to volleyball, continue reading:

Basic Skills in Basketball

Depending on who you ask, they may give up to seven basic basketball skills, but you can do with five. These are ballhandling, shooting, rebounding, passing, and defense. These skills must be learned so a player can make the maximum impact on the court.

Of the five, dribbling or ballhandling is the most fundamental skill to master. If you want to know how to play basketball<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>, this is the first skill to practice. You can’t get anywhere on a basketball court without dribbling the ball, which entails bouncing it up and down. Skillful ballhandling allows you to maneuver around opponents for an easy score or pass to an open teammate.

The most important skill, however, is shooting. Shooting is the only means to score; in basketball, the primary goal is to score more points than the opponents. For many, passing is considered the most difficult skill to be an expert at, while defense is mainly about effort and the desire to do the little things.

Fundamental Skills in Volleyball

There are six fundamental skills when playing volleyball. These are passing, serving, setting, spiking, blocking, and digging. Serving is where a rally starts and is considered the most critical skill. Unsuccessful serves are automatic points for the other team.

Passing in volleyball refers to the service reception technique that involves clasping both arms to control the ball’s course. The ball is often directed to the setter, which leads us to the third skill. Setting is a type of pass, but it is typically a pass made with scoring in mind. The setter tosses the ball with the flick of the fingertips to the offensive weapons he or she feels are capable of scoring at a particular time.

After the set is made, the perfect scenario is for a player to score by spiking or hitting the ball with full force. Whenever a spike is made, the opposing defense tries to block the ball to lessen the impact. That way, it can easily be received.

The last skill that a volleyball player should learn is digging. It is another reception technique but is much more challenging to pull off. It is called a dig because the player must lower his or her hips all the way down to reach the ball and keep it in play. The secret is to direct the ball really high so that the second contact, preferably the set, can get to the ball and turn it into a scoring opportunity.

Why Play BasketballWhy Play Basketball?

Few sports are as exciting as basketball. It is fast-paced, and the defense and offense change places in the blink of an eye. Unlike volleyball or football, anyone can score in basketball, so it’s fun for everybody. 

Outside of its unique type of excitement, basketball brings tons of health benefits. It promotes excellent cardiovascular health and strong bones, and helps you maintain a healthy body weight. That’s what you get when you indulge in a total body workout, which is precisely what basketball is. Basketball also reduces stress, leading to a more productive work life. 

Another unique advantage of basketball is that you don’t need special equipment. You can play alone and work on individual skills. Or, you can test out those skills, go to the park or local gym, and play with other ballers. Making friends along the way is a bonus and a definite possibility.

Why Play VolleyballWhy Play Volleyball?

Volleyball, like basketball, brings tons of health benefits. It’s not the marathon like basketball is, but the quick, explosive movements needed for volleyball are not for the faint of heart. 

Volleyball requires routines that build and strengthen the core, upper and lower limbs, shoulders, thighs, and abdominal muscles. Volleyball also improves cognitive skills and functions, which leads to better balance and reflexes. Last but not least, volleyball is a terrific social exercise that promotes collaboration and communication. 

Unlike basketball, though, you can’t just find volleyball courts everywhere or hang nets when you feel like it. That said, it is a fun sport that caught the fancy of almost a billion people worldwide.

Who Should Play Volleyball vs. BasketballWho Should Play Volleyball vs. Basketball?

There is no scientific way to know whether someone is more suited to play volleyball or basketball, as that decision is personal. A tall and agile person may perhaps lean toward basketball more because agility, or the ability to change directions, is a much more important skill to have in that sport. If you’re tall and do not have that natural ability, you may find volleyball much easier since you don’t need to run around the court as much.

For shorter individuals, volleyball has a position where the lack of height is not a handicap. It’s called a libero. The libero’s primary responsibilities are to dig and set; height is not needed in both. 

Of course, if you are young and want to test the waters, it is highly recommended to not put yourself in a box and try as many games as possible. See which one you enjoy the most and spend time learning the skills associated with the sport. If you’re one to enjoy a genuine team sport where everyone needs the other, volleyball may be your calling. 

5 Things to Consider if You Want to Play Volleyball or Basketball5 Things to Consider if You Want to Play Volleyball or Basketball

As previously mentioned, one of the best things kids can do is not limit themselves and try playing volleyball and basketball. From there, they can figure out if they’d continue doing one or the other or even do both! But what if it all boils down to a ‘basketball vs volleyball, which should I play’ situation, what are the things you need to consider? 

1. Skills You’re Good At

If you’re an agile athlete that can go by people in a flash, you may be better off playing basketball. Volleyball doesn’t allow frontliners to roam at the back, so agility is not much of a factor. In the same vein, basketball is the right sport for you if you like running, catching, and throwing over jumping and explosiveness.

2. Height

The average height of an NBA player is 6-foot-7. Therefore, if you’re below six feet and do not actually stand out at anything basketball-related, consider playing volleyball. Volleyball is more likely to accommodate shorter players, while basketball is less forgiving.

3. Prefers Genuine Teamwork

Basketball is a team sport, but one player can impact the game so much that it could still translate to wins. (See: LeBron James’ 2018 season.) On the other hand, volleyball needs true collaborative effort from everyone in the back line to the setter and the spikers. So anyone who digs a genuine team sport should opt for volleyball over basketball.

4. Natural Gifts

Things tend to happen more quickly in volleyball, and athletes that react fast and generate power quickly tend to do well in it. If you are that type of athlete, volleyball may be your calling. On the other hand, if you find it easy to run around without stopping for long stretches and you’re tall and agile, you should take a long, hard look at basketball.

5. Easy to Learn

It’s understandable for kids to lean into a game that they easily understand or learn. In that case, the vote goes to basketball. The actions and techniques used in volleyball, such as directing the ball to a teammate, require a deep understanding of timing, precision, and angles. On the other hand, basketball can be played by anyone for the first time. It’s hard for anyone to perfect a volleyball service for the first time, let alone complete a dig to prevent a score.

Wrapping Things Up: Should You Play Basketball or Volleyball? 

Basketball and volleyball are among the world’s top five most popular sports. Both have billions of fans and followers, so it’s easy to see why young athletes are drawn to either. Both are physically demanding in a fun and enjoyable way. They are also excellent media for staying fit, making friends, and improving overall health. 

If you are a young athlete, the question may have crossed your mind: “Should you play basketball or volleyball?” The answer is more complex. If your parents want you to concentrate on one, you should decide based on your skills and preferences. That’s because your skills and natural gifts could be more suited to play one sport. For example, if you are taller, more agile, and have more stamina than your peers, you’ll obviously do better in basketball. If you can react quickly and has an eye for precision, volleyball could be your sport.

Whatever the case, kids are highly encouraged to try out both and see which one they like best. It doesn’t have to be a basketball vs volleyball situation for them all the time. As parents, if you sense that your beloved children are enjoying one over the other (or both), that’s the time for you to step up and let them grow into their own.

We hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, be sure to check out our other basketball FAQ articles here.

Hoops Addict
Hoops Addict

Hoops Addict was created to help basketball fans of all ages learn more about the sport and find the best basketball gear to improve their ability to hoop. He has been a huge basketball fan for decades, watching thousands of basketball games through the years to learn the ins and outs of the game.

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