You’ve gotten into the world of professional volleyball, but now you don’t quite know what to look for in a good team. You understand, of course, that there are division standings and matchup records. You’ve also been a sports fan for a long time. With this tenure, you’ve developed a certain understanding:
At the pro level, any team can get hot under the right circumstances.
What factors are important in deciding volleyball matches? In this article, we look at qualities that don’t show up cleanly on a stat sheet but can heavily influence the outcome of any volleyball match.
Team Chemistry Over Star Power
Volleyball is very much a team sport. While every squad will have its stars, you don’t necessarily want to look at the talent level of one individual, at least not in a way that weighs it more heavily than the impact of team chemistry.
One of the best ways to determine chemistry is simply to evaluate how the starting six perform together. Do they move the ball smoothly? Do they establish sets fluidly? This factor can create upsets in the right environment.
Teams don’t need a bright shining star to win. Often, a few “mid-level” players who work well together will make for a more sustainable long-term success machine.
Understanding the Value of Home Court
The home team advantage dynamic is very real, and it is observed across sports. Why is that? It can’t surely be simply the power of fan support. There actually is something to having an audience that is on your side. It can provide players with more adrenaline. Greater confidence. Possibly even an enhanced sense of responsibility.
That said, at the end of the day, a receptive crowd is not the prevailing factor in determining home team advantage.
The real reason that teams generally have a better record at home has to do with travel exhaustion. Think about how tired you are when you go out on the road. Traveling teams have a wide range of logistical considerations to take into account.
And remember also that volleyball isn’t as big as, say, the NFL or Major League Baseball. These teams aren’t always flying privately and then getting chartered away to a luxury hotel. They’re often going by bus or by economy airlines.
This is just to say that often, the away team had a hard time getting where they needed to be. They might feel that on the court.
Fatigue
Has one team had an off-stretch while the other has been on the road? This is another logistical detail that can heavily influence the outcome of a volleyball match. Volleyball is very physical and intensive. Fatigue can be a deciding factor, particularly when two teams enter the match with comparable talent.
The one who’s physically worse for wear might easily fall behind in a match they otherwise could have won, were it not for exhaustion from recent travel. This, like the other considerations on the list, is not enough by itself to place a bet on. But it can add up with other factors.
Look at Matchup History
Take a look also at the record specific to the two teams. Often, you’ll find that previous outcomes can tell you a lot about what to expect, sometimes in surprising ways.
For example, if one team has a three-zero record against another, you might intuitively wish to bet on them. Maybe hold off on that. The team with the losing record will provide the bigger payout if they come out on top, and they might have an advantage, especially if they are squads of comparable talent.
Why is that? Well, to put it very plainly, it’s hard to beat an excellent team three or four times in a row. Teams simply get a better feel for each other over time. The team with the losing record will know how to make adjustments.
This alone isn’t necessarily enough to guarantee a win, but it can be influential, especially when combined with other factors like home court advantage.
Pick From a Place of Passion
At the end of the day, the best way to choose a team to pull for? It’s not about their record. Not about their odds. It’s about how they make you feel. Across professional sports, teams have a way of developing a sense of culture and energy that extends beyond any notion of branding or even performance.
Of course, if you are going to be betting on these games, you do want to ensure that you are spending your money wisely. Colorado sports betting promos can make wagering safer and more affordable. Above all else, remember to have fun with it.
There’s no guaranteed result, except maybe one: you can have a lot of fun betting on volleyball, as long as you do it in a safe way.
