Thirty Minutes With Mike Morrison: Part 3

The Pro AVP Volleyball Player and Team Fuel Athlete Discusses His Workouts, Diet and the Road to the 2012 Olympic Games.

TL: What else do you do to stay in shape?

MM: I enjoy a little bit of everything, but my primary hobby that keeps me in shape would be surfing. Growing up in the Midwest I was really into skateboarding and snowboarding. Then I moved out here to San Diego and although I’ve mainly been focusing on volleyball, I live right by the ocean so I love surfing. I get out as much as I can. The water here is a little cold so its not as motivating but I do try to get out as much as possible. Another activity my team mates and I do when our bodies really need rest, and we want to entertain ourselves and work on our hand-eye coordination a bit, is shooting compound bows. Mainly we’re doing archery practice in my buddy’s backyard and my teammates and I and his brother have compound bows and we have access to a backyard range, which is rare, so we have fun doing that and its great for your coordination and mental training when your legs are just done. Those are the two main ones I’ve been doing off the court but I’m very active and into lots of different stuff. There are only so many hours in the day.

TL: What is your best training advice for someone trying to step up their volleyball game this summer?

MM: I know it’s a bit played out right now with the terminology, but core training is essential. If you don’t have that solid foundation it’s not all going to come together. Core and balance training is an essential part. I think it’s the foundation. And then that’s going to help accentuate any strength or speed training you do. The next thing would be strengthening your legs. Obviously, legs are very important. Jumping in the sport of volleyball is what many things are measured by. That’s not to say if you’re not the best jumper you can’t play, but it is such an integral part. For people who really want to get into it, just jump. Just standing squat jumps. Do sets of 10 to 15 of those. Squat jumps. Box jumps. Any activity where you’re jumping, even just with body weight, is fine.

TL: How close are you to securing a spot on the 2012 Olympic team?

MM: Right now we are technically on one of the youngest teams in the running for it and there are two spots for the United States. I have a good position on the AVP domestic tour, but the four teams ahead of us are older and have established themselves on the international tour. You have to establish yourself on both tours, so now our goal is to go to as many international events as possible and slowly start establishing ourselves on the world tour. You never know what could happen. We want to be that team.

To read part 1 of this interview, click here.