Cheap Shots

Today's post is about the cheap shots, sportsmanship and the 'spirit of the game'. b and I play in a coed volleyball league on North Avenue beach. We play at the intermediate level, which means our team knows what we should do (bump-set-spike) but can't always execute. In volleyball, at the most recreational level (imagine a family picnic) the goal is to hit the ball over the net at the first opportunity. At higher skill levels this strategy will earn quick defeats. A hard driven spike or well placed roll-shot is necessary to earn a point in a competitive game. I believe that the point of playing in a intermediate league is to brush up on one's skill, attempting to play the right way (bump-set-spike). Last night, in a 20mph wind, we played a team that took the opposite road. They attempted to overpass at every opportunity (backyard style) to take full advantage of the wind. Although this was a competitive strategy because of the wind, it is not really in the spirit of the game. I found it infuriating. A part of me wishes I had a picture of their captain to put here, perhaps photoshopped with devil horns, but instead here is a good player -