[OmniSpiker]

When you play in sand and especially doubles, positioning and mobility is key to defense. Positioning yourself up on the net will mean less mobility to play anykind of defense other than to block. Playing off the net ~ 6 feet, will still allow you to block but better positioning for roll shots. Reading skills, if you see good pass, good set, and you should see good spike coming. Errr, too late to react. If you see good good pass, good spike will probably be coming so move into position to block when there's still time to do so. If you see bad pass, read and choose whether a good set is coming if setter gets to ball or difficult set is coming if setter is chasing pass. No need to stay at net to block if setter isn't going to get a good set. Probably can't read where the set is going either.

(should've been a tip for playing doubles...LOL's)