I disagree with your rant regarding blocking the serve.  I've seen good players drive new players away from the game because the new players could not receive a serve.  If blocking the serve was allowed, then new players would be able to play and would probably stay with the game.
Ray - Oakland, CA - 8/18/00
[New players should not play with experienced players until their skills have developed.  If you feel you have no choice, then perhaps the experienced players should take into consideration their opponents and lighten up on the serve if they want the new players to stick around.]

Rob,  I agree with your stance on blocking the serve.  However, I think players should be allowed to use their feet to play the ball because the game is so fast.  If a player could use a foot to play the ball, more rallies would result.
Barbara - Raleigh, NC - 8/22/00
[Speed is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the sport.  Players must develop their skills to play the sport, not change the sport to match their abilities.]

Rob, I hate to admit it, but you are once again right.
Bruce - La Mesa, CA - 8/23/00
[You've always been a bright fellow!]

I agree that the rules shouldn't be changed solely because volleyball changed them, but you seem to view ANY change as bad. I think the rules can be improved and some of those improvements can come from watching what happens in volleyball's rule changes.

It's very frustrating that there are multiple sets of rules for wallyball. The place I play uses WII rules - but has no copy of the rules and it seems subject to folklore. At least AWA has a rule summary on the internet. Please talk to each other, get your act together and come up with one rule set. This is too small a sport, and will only get smaller if there is not one, active governing body. We are losing raquetball courts at clubs around the country at a fast rate. Once they are gone, they won't be rebuilt. We need to show they will be put to use!
Anonymous - 9/14/00
[I tried to reach you to see which rules you though could be improved, but the e-mail address I received was bad.  If you read this, please get back in touch with me.]

I would have to disagree with Ray and Barbara. Regarding new players being driven from the sport because of their inability to return serves: the rules don't need to be changed--the good players' attitudes do. When one is playing with a newbie, good sportsmanship says that one should attempt to play at their level. Entice them by showing them just how vicious those wall serves can be, but don't slap them around with it. The newbies need to be realistic, too. I couldn't return those serves when I first started. So I PRACTICED, and now I can. All sports suffer from this problem; changing the rules won't help. As for using one's feet: ouch! Sure, the game is fast. Using one's feet will only make it faster, wilder, and more dangerous. I, for one, don't wish to get clocked in the jaw by one of my teammates making a wild kick at the ball (the reason cited for kicking was because one cannot reach it by hand--therefore, kicking is a desperation play). I won't play in a group that allows footwork--it's just asking for injury.
Mark - Socorro, MN - 10/30/00
[Great point regarding sportsmanship.  This seems so obvious to me, but I know there are some players out there that just don't get it.  Also, I hadn't thought of the danger involved in using the feet.  While most players will use a foot to get to a ball that is low and out of reach, you are right in stating that there is the potential of meeting a player's foot with my face as I dive for the dig.  Not a pretty thought!  Well, OK.........There are some that might think it would improve my looks.]

I agree that wallyball is it`s own sport; I did not say otherwise.  But, I believe that wallyball shouldn`t ignore volleyball rules just because. Certainly, wallyball shouldn`t adopt all of the rules of volleyball or any other sport for that matter. I just suggest that the sport of wallyball look at them and decide if they should apply; why re-invent the wheel. After all, wallyball was created based on volleyball rules.

The most recent rules of volleyball are changing the sport of volleyball. Some that make the sport more enjoyable for me, others that make it a little difficult to accept. For example, volleyball now allows the use of feet to play the ball; I hate that rule and will protest. However, I will play by the rules whatever they are, but I will not stop playing just because of rule changes. Change is inevitable and could be a good thing.  But you`ll never know unless you keep an open mind and try.  Keeping things the same isn`t always the best approach. BTW, I would protest if foot play were allowed in wallyball. 

You said, "[wallyball] It's a great sport as it is! I don't want to see the sport changed to benefit just some players that may be having trouble adapting to the faster sport of wallyball."

Your reasoning is totally bias and insulting. While I agree that wallyball is a great sport, I also believe that changes should be made for whatever reason that will make the sport more enjoyable to more players. I invite you to come and play (or watch) volleyball with my team and see how "slow" it is.
Jeff - Minnesota - 11/29/00

[My comment; ("[wallyball] It's a great sport as it is! I don't want to see the sport changed to benefit just some players that may be having trouble adapting to the faster sport of wallyball.") actually has a basis in fact.

For instance, there are some players that are adamant about the "no blocking the serve" rule. A friend of mine has been told directly by some of these players that they find it to be too hard to receive a serve from an experienced wallyball server. So they want to be able to block the serve so that they can do what they do best, which is bump, set and spike. (And they do this very well!)

I really don't have any problem with rules being changed as long as they are in the best interest of the sport. In my Rant I proposed that potential rule changes be decided by the three top names in the game (Joe Garcia, Rudy Morel and Mike O'Hara). I think that they would look out for the best interests of the sport, and not just make changes to the rules because a certain group of players wanted the changes.

So we do agree on rules changes. You wrote: "While I agree that wallyball is a great sport, I also believe that changes should be made for whatever reason that will make the sport more enjoyable to more players." We are saying the same thing.

However, I do want to apologize if you felt insulted. That's not my intent at all!]

Yea I would agree, wallyball is a different sport and we need to keep it that way.  Otherwise, people like you and me would not be able to score any points off the serves or walls because we can't SPIKE !!! (Well, maybe just me).
Paul - Alpine, Ca - 12/7/00
[I sure can't argue with your logic!]

You know what? I agree with almost everything you had to say.  I especially agree with this one idea that you made very clear - Wallyball is NOT volleyball in a racquetball court! I agree that we don't have to change wallyball rules just because volleyball has come up with something new. Like the "net serve" - have you seen that? I also totally agree with trying to unite the opposing forces of the wallyball world - can't be done? I don't know, but it sure would give the sport a huge shove in the right direction!! Keep ranting!
Stephanie - El Cajon, CA - 1/17/01
[I've seen the new "net serve" in action and I don't see how it makes the game a better game.  Granted, it makes it a different game, but a better game? 
Wallyball will continue to wallow in anonymity unless certain egos are controlled and the leaders of the sport focus less on making money and unite to focus their energies on promoting the sport.]

Hi rob I agree with most of the rant.  But I think the rules could be changed only to better the game, but blocking the serve would not be good.  I also think that the graybeards alone with some of the top players should be able to change the rules to better the game.  The rules were made to put structure in the game.  Rules should not be changed for just a few.  I hope that WII and AWA can get it to together on the rules that would make tournament play better for all.
Wayne - Chula Vista, CA - 1/29/01|
[Sounds like we are in sync with our opinions.]

Ok. I also agree to not mess with the sport of wallyball, even though i dont play it.
2/28/01
K - Grand Rapids, Michigan
[Hope you get a chance to play and enjoy this great sport!]

Hello Rob, I have to point out an error in your rant, the serve in volleyball doesn't have to be "just the way play is started". Actually serving is one of many skills in volleyball that make it just as hard to master as wallyball, although I agree it is, (and should be), a different game. Have you ever seen an excellent jump serve? Or a "floater"? Try to pass one of those serves! 

Eveything else in your rant, however, I tend to agree with, ( or at least I can live with). But after all the discussion I still believe the best thing for the sport of wallyball is a WELL WRITTEN rule book. I have seen how rules can be interpreted in some really wacky ways, (here in Waterville, Maine). I have seen many good volleyball players get completely turned off to wallyball because of these twisted rules interpretations. If the rule book was written so misinterpretation was difficult, there would be less argument, and the constant slide toward "jungle ball" might stop. The rule book I have is fairly old, maybe the new one is better? HELP!
3/10/01
Mike - Waterville, Maine
[Mike, thanks for your input.  I've seen the serves you describe, but I've never had to receive one since I don't play competitive volleyball.

As for the rule book, I think you've hit the nail on the head!  Look for a new rulebook to be published in mid 2002 by a new wallyball player's association.  The intent of the re-write was to clarify rules as you've indicated.]

I am a regular volleyball playeras well as an resident assistant. Due to the interests of my residences, I looked in to the rules to wallyball.

Anyways, I saw your site and agree with you whole-heartedly. I am aginst changing rules to a particular sport to allow players from similiar sports to feel comfortable at sports like wallyball because they may be able to dig with their feet etc. 

As far as the kicking rule in volleyball, it is stupid. Most leagues let the rule go this far. The ball is still in play if it unintentional hits your foot or in many beach tournaments, your foot is planted when it hits. 

Furthermore, I hate the new net serve rule. If it hits the net on the serve, it should be loss of serve. Anways, I felt your page was helpful and I understand the sport of wallyball much better.

3/13/02
Pete - Rodman, ??
[Pete, It's great hearing from you!  Of course I'm a fan of anyone that agrees with me, but it's especially nice to hear from volleyball players.

I'm pleased that you visited my site and learned a little about my love - the game of wallyball.  Let's stay in touch.

Rob Drake
Founder - CourtMasters Wallyball
President - Association of United Wallyball Players]