On the flip-side, should women block?

StephieJean18 · **On the flip-side, should women block? -** 02-17-2007, 03:13 AM

In a co-ed 6's game, should women block?

Sure, most times we don't have the height or the vertical that you gentlemen do, but does that mean we shouldn't go up at all?

Personally, I think it's easier to have the chick go up every time no matter what, at least she's setting the block consistantly rather than letting the middle run around, jumping manically like a rabid gorilla.

I was on a team that didn't let me block at all, I had to pull back and cover the tip EVERY TIME. I was on another team that allowed me to go up and I ended up being one of the strongest blockers.

Does it depend on the player?

What do you guys think?

BHitterDPasser · 02-17-2007, 10:03 AM

It's player dependent. There's a woman I play against who was blocking the crap out of one of the best hitters on my team. Then there are women who can hardly clear a men's height net. As long as they're in the play and not making it harder for the defenders, I say all people should play the game to their strengths, not their genders.

NewEnglandRT · 02-17-2007, 09:44 PM

You've got to keep in mind that blocking isn't always about stuffing the ball it's also about taking court away at least taking some of the option away in the hitters mind.

If you're a lady and can't clear a men's net then you're better off covering some court (maybe you can jump and distract the hitter for the early part of a match). For that matter though, if you're a guy and can't clear the tape the same applies for you.

Like Hurler said, play to your strengths not your gender.

pdoug20 · 02-20-2007, 10:28 AM

I agree... even if a tip changes the direction, whoever's covering should get there. Not going up at all is just asking for the ball to get crushed inside the 10-foot line just to spite you...

YaboyOz · **If she can let her -** 02-20-2007, 03:47 PM

It doesn't matter what gender you are if you can block then block...you have to use your strengths to help win games

kvb · 11:46 PM

It's fun to turn around and watch my male teammates' faces after I block the other team's good hitter, especially if it's a guy cuz nobody expects it....particularly when they're trying to hit straight down cuz there's a chick there blocking. I think the teammates are more excited about the block than I am...and it's pretty exciting to me

It's fun to watch the opponent hitters swing for the home run fences after that cuz they don't wanna get blocked by a chick (hee hee! And vertically challenged at that!)

volleyballstud · 03-16-2007, 10:03 AM

I believe that women should block as well. If they can't get their hands over the net, soft block 6-12" off the net to at least get a touch and take away a little bit of the court. God only knows how many times I've been blocked when a girl has done that to me. Being a player on both men's and co-ed leagues. I prefer to play defense consistently. If I start making small adjustments because a player pulls off the net and doesn't block, then it screws up my game on defense when I play men's. Consistency is the key to developing your skills. That's why us coaches run drills.