middle blocker

Question
Hi my name is Christina and i am from UKRAIN! I wanted to ask u a question about the position of middle blocker.
1. When i can hit the ball, or when i am not suppose to touch it.
2.What can actually the middle blocker do.
3.Where am i suppose to be after the ball served, do i have to be up to the net or i have to go to the middle?          
     
   please help i really need the answers!!!

Answer
Hello Christina and welcome to AllExperts.com

My Name is Coach Tovar


I will help you by giving you certain quick tips about being the middle blocker.I will do this in a sequence as in a game situation. Please try to remember them by both running the whole sequence below in your head and by physically practicing them.

1. Hands up to eye level on the serve about 1 foot away from the net. Identify the front row hitters on your opponent's side.
2. If the ball is going straight at you, see if the ball is going to hit the net and roll over on to your side. Be ready for this.
3. If the ball is heading straight at you and fast, open up and yell "back" so that the back row players can see the ball.
4. Turn around and look at the ball. This will better help you prepare for anything. Never move backwards and away towards the front row hitters. This is a big distraction for them.
5. Time the ball to where to setter will get the ball and try to hit a quick hit by jumping when the setter touches the ball for a set. Your starting point for a spike would be from the 10 foot line.
6. While you are going towards the setter, make sure you are facing the setter completely before you jump, this will help you turn into the net with better force. If someone else hits the ball be ready to help if the ball is blocked. If the ball is bumped too close to the net and away from the setter, be ready to block a defensive hit.
7. Once the ball goes over and there is a bump towards the setter be ready for the ball to be bumped straight over the net.
8. Always jump with the setter on the second hit whether there is a spiker in front of you or not. By doing this you, will not let the setter dink the ball over for an easy play. It is better to be faked but give the defense a chance to play the ball.
9. Be ready to shove your blockers to a side that needs to be blocked in case the block is not there in time.
10. Once the ball has been set by your opponent, follow the set and always look at the players coming in to spike the ball, they will give you a better indication of where a quick ball will be set into.
11. If you do not reach the spiker in time, then go ahead and jump straight up so that the defense can prepare them selves for the spike.
12. Be ready to help the setter in case the picked up ball goes straight into your area. If the ball is bumped really high then always move away from the ball. You do not always have to hit the ball from the middle of the net.
13. Besides moving away from the path of the setter when they are trying to get the ball, it is also important to bend down so that the setter can see the spikers from their side vision.
14.The best way to prepare your self for any situation is to mentally picture the following sequence above as well as going through the motions.This advice will prepare you for the unexpected and give you a better chance in becoming a great middle blocker.

Please ask me any more questions If you need more advice.

Also feel free to become a free member at my website www.volleyballplaystorun.com. Here you can learn and see how to serve 31 serves, learn how to create plays, see wacky volleyball ball designs, see alien attitude ball, and much more.

Thank You for using AllExperts

Coach Tovar