Switchin' up positions

It has been a while since I wrote on here, but I thought it would be a perfect time to write about how you may be asked to switch positions even at the pro level. As many of you know I am currently playing volleyball in Finland as a Middle Blocker.

A few weeks ago, we had some injuries and out team has struggled with these situations all year. My coach asked if I would feel comfortable switching to the Opposite (aka the Right Side.) The player I am, of course I said yes because I knew it was something that could benefit the team. At the end of the day, in a team sport, personal success also amounts to that of the entire team.

Taking on the new role was fun at first. There were obvious pressures there but I was looking at the situation with a glass half full. I got to play on the court the whole time! That of which has not happened since high school. This means I got to attack out of the backrow, play defense for more than one rotation, and be another confident voice on the court.

I had maybe 2 or 3 practices as an Opposite before we had our next game. Which may seem like a lot of time...but for me, someone who had never played that position, it was a short time to learn the new position. The first few games I played as an Opposite I felt like I did help the team. There was one rally in the game that the outside literally had no block because I was helping on the middle (stupid decision at that point but I learned from it.) Errors are going to occur when it is a new position, that is just the name of the game. Don't worry we ended up winning the game so ;)

Switching positions can take a toll on your mental health. For me, I know how I can perform in the middle and that gives me the most confidence when I step out on the court. I still had confidence but there were little things that occur in the game that I would question whether I made the right decision, move or adjustment. These are normal thoughts when you change positions which I have felt one other time in my career. This happened when I switched to beach - except I had to be taught the game from scratch. The phrase, being pushed out of your comfort zone could not have been more true in both of these situations.

Before playoffs began another one of my teammates got injured. The night before at practice she got hit in the face by a ricochet off the block. She continued practice so we all did not think anything of it at the time. But the next day we had our morning walk through before the game, she came and explained she had concussion symptoms. This meant that I had to switch back to middle. This was a shock to me because I was starting to feel more comfortable as an Opposite.

Obviously, this switch was A LOT easier because I had only been away from my niche for about 2 weeks. The first game was a little rough with my timing and the set locations but we worked through it. It felt nice to be back in my comfort zone for playoffs. I finished the year playing Middle Blocker.

I am writing so anyone who might read it realizes that you can always adapt and embrace changes in your career or life that are unexpected. I did find myself growing in these situations and am grateful to have had that as an opportunity to grow outside of my comfort zone.

Insert Ariana Grande's song positions.

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until next time,

jaelyn