Slamma Jamma

Question
What is a slamma jamma shot?

Answer
Hey Mary Beth and welcome back!

A "slamma jamma" is another word for a "power dink" or "slam"  It's when a front row player puts her fingertips on a set and slams it into the floor.  

Like I said earlier, there are some coaches who teach it religiously.  When my 15's team is picked, and let's say I don't have dominating MB's, I'll be teaching them how to slam from day 1.  Some high school refs may call them lifts, but the USAV refs won't.  

When I'm coaching high school or directing a STAR Volleyball Site Camp, the slam shot is something that everyone learns, from the 7th grade on up. In 1993, one of my seniors finally got to start.  Rozi was 5'3" and played OH and was a primary passer.  Her line slam was her best shot.  If the digger played close to the net, the ball would often zip past her ear, or plunk her in the chest.  But if she moved back, Rozi also had the ability to tip short.  She waited and waited, and at 17 years old, was our speaking captain, and led us to the 2nd round of Regionals.  Amazing kid.    

For some MB's, the slam is their best shot.  B/c my stepd. is a D1 vball player, I watch a lot of college ball.  There's one team in particular, I think it's Winthrop University (Rock Hill SC), where the MB's "jam" the ball into the floor, into our diggers' faces, parting our diggers' hair, etc.  When we played that team, I'm sure they had 6 to 8 kills with slamma jammas.  

In 1997, Pepper was a 5'8" MB on my team.  The 6' girls couldn't take her spot from her.  Sure, she didn't block as much; but she was not only a powerful hitter, but in order to avoid the bigger 6' MB's that she faced, she learned to slam the tight sets to her left with her right hand, then 2 minutes later she would slam to her right with her left hand.  She was undefendable, finishing with over 500 kills in her career......at 5'8" in the middle.  Incredible.

I hope that answers your question......and maybe a little extra.  Yep, junior tryouts are December 6th for my 15's National Team.  The team page is already up www.coachhouser.com.  Now just need to wait for names to put on it.  

Have a great week!  What else can we do for you?  Just let us know.

Coach Houser