bait and switch, gotcha...your opponents will be reading your position and approach too, not just your pass. You not going to start roll shotting us to death are you? By the way congrats on your second place finish.
Advantages for playing up next to net
- better position for block
Disadvantages for playing up next to net
- less vertical on jump
- longer distance to chase down roll shot
- easier to read blocker pulling off the net
Sometimes you only need one more step to get to the ball and that's usually chasing down the roll shot. Blocking one+ step off the net? geez that's pretty close already is it not? What do you want to leverage? It's all about positioning.[/quote]
Well, I'd actually be licking the chops to swing because my experience is that running up to block rarely works effectively, other than occasionally getting lucky. Sets are rarely in a consistent place along the net, timing can change and the ability of someone to run up, set their feet on an unstable surface, jump straight up and penetrate over the net...not too good. Maybe in grass. If you want a lead back into the defensive position, you can have one foot open back to the court so a big crossover, couple steps and stop you are in position. With the smaller court, it is easier to get into position than in the old days. Also, most players are more concerned about getting a good contact on the ball than they are looking at what you are doing on the other side of the court. Guys that dance and fake a lot in the back usually just wind up faking themselves out. You can always look at how it is done at the highest levels for the ideal on execution. Of course, try both ways out and see which actually works for your team.