Beach Volleyball News

Inside the EVP: Deerfield Beach

by Matt Heath

May 23rd , 2007

This week we were in Deerfield Beach.  This is one of my favorite places to play.  I went to school at FAU right around the corner.  This is the beach where I learned to win at the game of volleyball.  Deerfield has a lot to offer a player of any level.  When I was an up and comer I used to spend countless hours down there, first just playing games then later training with my coach, Rob Smith.

 

This beach has deeper sand than most places in Florida, which is ideal for conditioning.  There is also a bit of wind, teaches you ball control.  Most importantly, there is always somebody to play.

 

It was really nice being back to this area.  One thing about Florida you have to watch out for is the heat and humidity.  I have been living in South Carolina for the last five years, as a result I often times forget living in South Florida can be hot as hell.  This weekend's tournament would suggest that I wasn't the only one feeling the heat.

 

Unfortunately for me this weekend, I tweaked my groin and was unable to fully participate.  I did not however, like several other players, cramp.  Nutritional preparation for a tournament is as equally important as practicing your skills.  It doesn't matter how good your jump serve is if you can't leave the ground because you have a softball size knot in your hamstring.

 

I feel the best way to fight cramping is to take preventative measures.  There are a number of ways to do this.  I like to get plenty of rest two nights before the tournament, its not uncommon for athletes to have trouble sleeping the night before competition, so I try to make sure I get enough rest on Thursday.  In order to fight dehydration, I like to drink a bottle of Pedialyte in an equal mix of water the night before.  I drink the same mix all day during the tournament as well, bubblegum is my favorite flavor but they also have Fruit, Grape and non-flavored as their other choices.  Let me make this note, it is important that when pre-hydrating that you don't drink only water because water alone will flush out all your electrolytes and leave you in the bind you are trying to avoid.

 

Eating is another important factor.  When I first started playing I had trouble eating while I played, just didn't have an appetite.  Now I force myself to eat something after every match.  I don't eat an entire meal, maybe just a chicken sandwich or some trail mix, etc.  This helps sustain me through the day. 

 

If you are of the "it won't happen to me" philosophy and find yourself cramping in the semi-finals, let me make a couple of suggestions.  I know this sounds a little funny but the first thing I would do is drink a beer...just one beer.  This will help your body relax a bit.  Then find yourself a banana and or pickles.  Drink the pickle juice.  I can't explain what it does exactly but I do know it helps.  Then go bust them up in the finals.

 

If all else fails, have your partner fake like he's the one cramping.  The idea being that your opponents will serve him.  If he is also cramping, do a rain dance and hopefully you can split the money.

 

Oh yeah, Dana Camacho won the tournament.  Funny, I didn't see any ice down there.  I figured hell would freeze over before that happened.

 

 

 

Matt Heath is sponsored by Native Eyewear and Beach Volleyball News.