12th august 2008
Beijing (CHN)


“Wrapped up” is an English expressions that sometimes players use to describe the poor or failing sport performances.

The English dictionaries report different definitions, but those that can be applied to sport are:

1. To wear more clothes as protection
2. To fold and secure something to be the cover or protection for something

Both definitions suggest the image of person moving awkwardly, ungainly and gracelessly due to the extra clothes.

I like this expression because describes perfectly the situation when the players are striving for the best but “something” slows down their actions.

Up till now, in the Olympic Games many teams seem “wrapped up” (obviously some more than others) and all are still searching for the best conditions.

I haven't seen yet the smooth and fluent performances that have distinguished the teams participating in the Beijing Games.

The squads are undergoing the psychological pressure of the Olympic tournament and, moreover, the demanding adaptation to the new ball.
The MIKASA MVA 200 (the new ball) has different colors from the previous one, a new design and a special surface. It's only blue and yellow, has a swirl design composed of just 8 flame shaped panels (instead of the 18 rectangular ones), and it has a dimple microfiber surface.

Because of the new colors, the players said that the visual perception is much different because the rotation is more perceivable and it can affect their time reaction.
Moreover, this ball seems lighter (it is just a sensation because the weight and size are the same) making passing, serving and hitting less controllable.

Obviously, all the team are in the same conditions, therefore the change won’t a be an advantage for any team particularly.
Maybe, those players who are more technically talented might adapt quicker, getting confident with the new tool earlier and taking advantage of this achievement.

Going back to “wrapped up” teams, I have seen some players making some avoidable mistakes due to the slight difference between the old and the new ball. The technical gestures, which were totally ordinary and automatic, now request an extra attention and - under pressure - they could turn into the so called “avoidable mistakes”. After that kind of mistakes, the players could became uncertain and reduce their performance risk level.

That’s what makes the players “wrapped up”.

By the way, the Women’s teams are managing more easily the transition to the new ball because their game is slower and less powerful, therefore the effects are reduced.

Bye bye andrea