Defensive Help

NewEnglandRT · **Defensive Help -** 10-17-2006, 11:53 PM

Our indoor team runs a 4-2 and a middle back defense. (I'm fighting with one setter to play a 5-1 or 6-2). In any event.... I've found two problems that maybe all the geniuses on the site can help with.

#1- I've found my self playing LB(3) because I usually swich with a quicker person who can cover cover more back line ground and play MB(2). When I'm in this position I find that I tend to drift into the middle of the court when the hit is coming from the opposing strong side.

#2- I've also found that many of the newer players I play with have a tough time with the rotation defense because it leaves a bit of the middle court open. At the level we play at there aren't alot of hits coming down inside the 10 so there's not a lot of reason to cover. Is there a good way to help them understand this better?

VB_Coach · **Love Defense! -** 10-23-2006, 09:42 AM

Hi,
new to site - so I hope I am giving you what ur asking for...

#1 - It sounds like ur problem is that you're ending up too far into the court and are out of position to play the opponents cross court hit? If so, I recommend two things: a. Move outside the court immediately after your team serves. On the initial pass by the opponent's team, focusing on the ball, be ready to attack an overpass - communicating with your teammates if it looks like it's coming back on one. If the pass is good and goes to the setter, watch to see where the set goes. If it goes to their right side hitter, step into the court and face the hitter. You should be in position to play balls off your block or that are tipped over the block. Creep forward during the opponent's attack. if the ball is set to the middle, come in a little faster, picking an angle where you can clearly see the hitter to the left of your middle blocker. If the ball is set to their Left side hitter, first move toward the net until you can again, clearly see the hitter on the inside of your blocker (hopefully your middle blocker has closed with your right side). Then move forward with a clear line-of-site to the hitter. If you creep forward, you should end up in the proper base position on the opponent's contact, and since your motiion is forward and you are not static, you should be able to reach dinks as well as be in position to dig hits. This will also keep you from being too far into the court prematurely.

For #2, I'm not sure of the question. Do you just need to convince the newer players that you don't need to cover the middle?

VB_Coach

mycena · 10-23-2006, 01:03 PM

Ok I have to laugh, middle hitters and middle blockers. They aren't to prevelant in the league that NErt is referring too. But I was confused by what his question actually is. Thanks for the tips on how to cover though for when we actually play games where there are middle hitters and blockers.

NewEnglandRT · 10-24-2006, 12:27 AM

I'm hitting middle next week fool!

Btt... thanks for those tips. I never thought of positioning in terms of being able to clearly see the hitter. That's very helpful. I'll apply it this week and get some feedback down.

mycena · **Middle -** 10-24-2006, 01:31 PM

Wait a minute, if you are playing middle where does that mean I am playing??? Middle? 6-2??????? That could be interesting.... Who thinks we should run a 6-2 with me and Jay setting and playing middle?

revjim27 · 10-24-2006, 02:57 PM

DO IT!!!

We had fun using a 6-2...maybe with a little more practice we might have actually been effective with it.

BHitterDPasser · 10-24-2006, 05:06 PM

You guys are probably better middle hitters than I am. I say do it and make chris be an OH.

kvb · 10-24-2006, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mycena

Wait a minute, if you are playing middle where does that mean I am playing??? Middle? 6-2??????? That could be interesting.... Who thinks we should run a 6-2 with me and Jay setting and playing middle?

I'm not a fan of that. We have a guy who's (normally a middle) "learning" to set a 6-2 on one of our teams. He also wants to play middle when he's in the front row. I'm the "lucky" other setter. I'm trying to run up to set from the back row and he's taking my ankles out because he's not in the right position fast enough and he's running between right side and middle and taking me out. Ouch!!! D&*!!

NewEnglandRT · 10-24-2006, 10:47 PM

We're gonna go ahead and run a 4-2 so as to train the middles to be middles. Lynn if you don't want to set, I'll be the other setter. Or something.

mycena · 10-25-2006, 07:47 AM

Hmm That could be cool for this week maybe. Although as usual something else is hurt right now so setting might be better for me than trying to hit. I guess we can just see how it is going on Thursday!