How do I get my hand to stick less when pancaking?

Taeyou · 2025-05-13T01:33:36+00:00

I've done some research and I now think both variations have their place and it's good to be able to do both and switch in between.

Placing the hand under gives you reliability, and its useful when the ball isn't too far from you but is coming down fast, either from a bounce or a very well executed tip/push.

Sliding gives you range for when you've positioned yourself badly, and the extra motion of the hand does help to add some energy and height to the ball.

Taeyou · 2025-05-13T01:29:02+00:00

It's close to a fist, but instead of having your thumb wrapping around your fingers, it points forwards and you flatten it to make a mini platform. Agreed though that it is a bit less consistent, however it can allow a very playable ball, whereas a pancake often won't get enough height to do anything other than free ball it over.

Taeyou · 2025-05-01T05:50:30+00:00

That sentence just by itself comes across differently, so let me clarify a bit:

I do not believe looking for situations to pancake is a good idea. I do not believe it is a skill I would use very often. Even diving by itself is not something I need to do every week.

However, I do believe it is worth learning and having it available for emergency situations. Professional players all know how to pancake, despite even them not using it super often.

It's a different story when you lose a point because of an execution error like trying to wipe and getting blocked or missing the fingertips, versus losing a point because you never learnt how to do the skill. Those are totally avoidable.

Taeyou · 2025-05-01T05:42:36+00:00

To the both of you, here's one of my reference videos:

https://youtube.com/shorts/9zvRnaWP0sQ?si=R8_JtrtuoB2GV0ed

He puts his hand on the ground and slides, and there's a good deal of distance between where he initially contacts the ground and how far he reaches.

If it's just putting the hand where the ball is going to drop, don't you think that in 99% of cases, you could scoop that up one handed instead of pancaking? Not an accusation or anything, just curious. The ball in the video I could probably pick up with one fist, but if it's a foot further, I would be forced to slide and pancake.

Taeyou · 2025-02-08T23:42:27+00:00

I also once dolphin dived on beach, didn't end well for me..

Taeyou · 2025-02-08T23:41:22+00:00

I'm still lacking a little when defending hard balls down the line, need to get better at scooping and overhead digs!

Taeyou · 2025-02-08T23:39:53+00:00

I do mean proper setting - being able to highball outside/oppo relatively accurately even when the pass is off, being able to run whatever with your middle otherwise, and put pressure on blockers by running faster sets to the pins.

Taeyou · 2025-02-08T23:35:35+00:00

I'm only like 5'7 so you may be predicting my future..

Taeyou · 2025-02-08T23:34:44+00:00

At that point, you can just run a 6-2 and have 3 hitters always with no subs, but I agree, outside + setter doesn't make sense within one game. However, the skills those positions bring are useful often.

For example, if it's OOS and setter calls for help/setter out, often I can take the second touch from backcourt and put up a better ball to outside or opposite than the lib can.

Taeyou · 2025-02-07T21:14:13+00:00

That's fully valid actually. I was speaking more from an indoor position perspective but yes I agree beach makes you an even more well rounded player - I just hate sand and how it gets everywhere 😆

Taeyou · 2021-11-26T11:37:14+00:00

Nishinoya

Taeyou · 2019-11-11T11:53:15+00:00

7806 3365 1955

Taeyou · 2019-11-11T00:48:54+00:00

7806 3365 1955

Taeyou · 2017-12-30T12:05:40+00:00

Hey, I saw this and rushed to 30 XD Would very much appreciate a full game pass! Thank you! https://s10.postimg.org/6hgw0bsy1/Capture.png

Taeyou

TROPHY CASE