The Pavlovian server. This server hears the referee's whistle to beckon the serve and turns instantly into one of Ivan Pavlov's classically conditioned dogs. Just as the dogs respond immediately and in the same way to salivary stimuli, most servers respond to the whistle by hitting the one and only serve they know. There is no room for variety, such as changing the speed, location, timing, or type of serve.
The nervous defender. This defender gives up a balanced, ready defensive posture at the moment of contact by the attacker. She is often airborne as the ball is attacked.
The clueless ball watcher. Usually this is a blocker whose eyes are fixed on the set ball at the very instant the eyes should be fixed on the opponent's setter and hitters.
The bodyline hitter. This hitter sends every shot straight ahead within the bodyline established by the hips and shoulders. Easy to block, easy to dig.
The window washer. This blocker extends the arms and hands straight up from the shoulders and risks having the ball rearrange his face.
The leaning tower of Pisa. This is the digger who refuses to execute a jab step to close on the ball and instead topples to the floor like a fallen tree.
The loan shark. This player is unable to calculate the odds of a ball landing anywhere in the opponent's court in situations calling for the player to simply get the ball over the net.
Tiger Woods. This name is given to hitters who put a max swing on every ball but only a handful find the court.
Late for your date. This is the quick hitter who is always late get¬ting up to hit a one set.
Shank-o-potamus. This is a primary passer who struggles to get the ball to the target.
