In the storied history of the sport of volleyball there have been many innovations and rules changes from the "let serve" to the Libero. However, no rules adjustment or player addition in the game has been more exciting than what is happening in many Chinese and Asian volleyball communities around the world.
If you live near a Chinatown, and there are many of them in most of the major cities across America, you will see a variation of volleyball being played. Its called 9-Man and YES, as the name suggests there are actually nine (9) men on the court, playing volleyball. However, it isn't volleyball as we normally see it.
Well, lets start off with some basic understanding of the 9-Man game.
1) There is no ROTATION or rotating clockwise as in a tradition game.
-- The "rotation" happens only with the designated servers, which there are three and they always in a defensive posture. Basically, these are the guys that play a constant LIBERO position, but they are allowed to attack.
2) Since there are so many more athletes on the court, the playing area is larger, of course.
-- How much larger, well about 20%, or approximately 3 feet all the way around the court. A traditional volleyball court is 9m x 9m, approximately 29ft 11.75in. A 9-Man court is 10m x 10m. That would be, for all you math wizards, 39in x 10m =..... WELL IT JUST BIGGER!!!
That means it's longer, wider, with a whole lot more of wide open, action and play!!!
3) Don't look for your traditional volleyball referee calls, that won't ever happen.
-- 9-Man is a game where you have three blockers on almost every play and since the action is so fast, certain "lift" and "double" contacts we normally see called in a traditional volleyball game won't occur. With player names and plays such as the "hook" and the "double hook," the ball is traveling so fast, anything to keep the play alive is allowed.
Well, almost anything.
With so many blockers at the net, penetration at the net isn't allowed, hands must stay on your side. With that, your head is exposed, but if the ball contacts your head or chest, the play is dead and a you lose the rally. There is NO JUMP SERVING (well there goes my game). Here is a link for the official 9-Man rules http://montreal.nacivt.com/rules.html.
For more information on the Chinese 9-Man, please visit the NACIVT website for details at www.nacivt.org, the North American Chinese Invitational Volleyball Tournament.
The NY Mini-2011 (Seward Park-Chinatown, NYC)
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of watching some of the best teams in North America play the game of 9-Man at the NY Mini. This tournament is held every year this time in mid-summer at the Seward Park tennis courts in Chinatown, NY.
Hosted by the New York Strangers Volleyball Club, one of NYC and Chinatown's oldest volleyball clubs, the NY Mini is a favorite stop for many of the 9-Man teams from all across North America. Hundreds of athletes from Washington DC to Montreal and New York to Toronto, gathered on this spot to compete at this years friendly tournament. The NY Mini is used as one of many lead ups to the World 9-Man Championship Invitational Tournament, being held, this year in Montreal, Canada Labor Day Weekend, September 3 to 5.
It was a great day of volleyball all around. Teams such as CONNEX, originally started in New York around 1985, Toronto Thunder and Nhun Lam (also of Toronto) from Canada, Boston Freemasons and Washington CYC came to town to compete. There were two sets of teams from Boston, the a fore mentioned Freemasons, the Boston Knights brought over multiple groups and women's teams. The women played traditional volleyball, indoor rules. Along with Washington DC CYC, was a former NY Mini champion, MVPSixPack. From Virginia came Jin Long, featuring George Mason University Head Men's Volleyball Coach Fred Chao. There was Philadelphia CIA which many players from New Jersey and the home grown NY Stranger and NY Vikings.
When all was said and done, CONNEX A, the more stacked of the CONNEX teams (they had two men's teams that could have won it all), prevailed beating Washington CYC in a two set match. The games were phenomenally played and ridiculously enjoyable to watch. Teams cheering wildly when a point is won, fans robustly clapping and lauding their region friends.
With so many of these teams were the youth of the sport. Especially, CYC and NY Strangers. Both teams had their adult programs competing well, but many (if not all of the adults there) were in attendance to cheer on the next generation of women's and 9-Man volleyball.
The game play was awesome and the contests were fierce. However, there was camaraderie all across the board. Even the most staunch rivals, were the best of friends when competition was completed. Additionally, this tournament brought so much to the Chinatown community. Business were packed with visitors. Eateries, that normally fly through orders were actually being held up with the high demand from the volleyball players in town. At the end of it was awards ceremony and the after tournament banquet at a local sponsor restaurant.
The NY Mini has become a staple of Chinatown culture and a great addition to New York City. Each summer, people can't wait for it come around. This was my first real experience seeing the sport played at an exceptionally high level. It was educational, action pack and most of all FUN!!!
If you ever want to see the NY Mini in person please go to http://nymini.com/ for more information.
You won't be disappointed when you come to watch!!!
