Holly B. is an active professional in her late twenties who spends her free time playing recreational flag football and league basketball. She shares her experience with us as she explores the world of sports.

I have several friends who actively play recreational volleyball. One friend in particular, Clarence, is fairly tall - great for volleyball, not so great for his joints. He has to be careful to not to overdo things when playing.

The lateral movement and repetitive jumping during volleyball sets up the perfect scenario for injuries to occur... especially with taller athletes whose body frames may put more strain on their joints.

Here are 3 tips to help prevent volleyball injuries:

1. Warmup before games - Make sure that you stretch and take a light jog before games. This gets your muscles and joints ready for action. Some trainers recommend a light stretch, then a light jog, then more stretching.

2. Ensure that you have the proper gear - Check the wear and tear of your shoes and socks. Wear knee pads and elbow pads to protect yourself when diving. (Check out our selection of knee pads and elbow pads for volleyball.)

3. Wear volleyball braces and supports - If you have previous ankle or knee injuries, it's smart to wear a volleyball brace or support to help protect your joints from re-injury. They may also help prevent injuries from occurring the first time. While volleyball supports won't guarantee that you won't get hurt, they do help lower your risk.

Recreational volleyball is enjoyable - I've had the pleasure of watching Clarence participate in some intense games. But be sure to stay safe while playing volleyball and don't get injured!