Learning to Play Middle - Page 2

mycena · 11-27-2006, 07:27 AM

I think that I am becoming a middle too. In the four womens tournaments (that I remember) playing in so far, I have played middle in two full-time and part-time in one. And I am playing middle again next weekend so I really appreciate all the advice. Something that I dealt with this past weekend is having short setters that can't really block. So, when blocking the right side where should I be concentrating my block, cross everytime?

tbarbera · 11-27-2006, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mycena

Something that I dealt with this past weekend is having short setters that can't really block. So, when blocking the right side where should I be concentrating my block, cross everytime?

A middle should always try to get a touch on a hit. One hand, two hands, a head... anything that will give your defense more time to get the ball. DON'T GET TOOLED AS A MIDDLE THOUGH! Most of the time if the middle can get a hand on the ball the defense behind them will be able to pick it up.

If your setter isn't blocking you need to read the hitter and make a decision on angle or line depending... make sure the setter is out of your way so you don't roll an ankle. Also make sure you don't drift. Get somewhere, jump and get your hands up over the net. Even if you jump straight up for an angle block and at the last second you see the hitter going line, move only your hands over. The defense will be able to be in the best position if you jump straight up into the air and not drift.

If you are playing a team who doesn't run a predictible offense it may be hard to get all the way outside to block line as a middle. Just get to a spot and get your hands up to take away any part of the court you can.

revjim27 · **Don't Touch -** 11-28-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kvb

I have played middle and setter at various times...

MIDDLE'S JOB

...

2-Get the h#$% outta the way of the setter! Don't have "stuck to the net/sticky net syndrome." Come back for your approach. And no, don't you dare set that ball!!

YEEEEEEAAHH!!!

That's my ball...hands off... You touch it and I'll demote you to Blocker-only for a few plays because I'm vindictive and spiteful... LOL...

So, if you're an Opp. Hitter, talk your Middles into moving in to take the set more and you'll see the number of balls you get increase dramaticlly.

mycena · **post block -** 12-02-2006, 10:40 PM

Ok so the discussion came up today at the tournament I was playing in about what the middle does after the block. Apparently the other middle had been taught to turn toward the direction of the ball as she came down from her block. Other people on the team were taught to turn toward the setter, since that's where the ball should be coming from to run a quick play. So I ask the masses, 'which way do we go George, which way do we go?'

kvb · 12-03-2006, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mycena

Ok so the discussion came up today at the tournament I was playing in about what the middle does after the block. Apparently the other middle had been taught to turn toward the direction of the ball as she came down from her block. Other people on the team were taught to turn toward the setter, since that's where the ball should be coming from to run a quick play. So I ask the masses, 'which way do we go George, which way do we go?'

For transition after block, come off the net to about the 10' line, body and shoulders squared/pointed towards the setter/net, head turned to follow the ball and watch pass...so you can see where ball is headed and get outta setter's way if it's a bad pass so they can set outside. (And so you don't "screen the passer" nor interfere with their ability to pass to setter.)

If you turn your back to the setter, then you won't be ready for the quick.

BHitterDPasser · 12-04-2006, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kvb

For transition after block, come off the net to about the 10' line, body and shoulders squared/pointed towards the setter/net, head turned to follow the ball and watch pass...so you can see where ball is headed and get outta setter's way if it's a bad pass so they can set outside. (And so you don't "screen the passer" nor interfere with their ability to pass to setter.)

If you turn your back to the setter, then you won't be ready for the quick.

Are you saying to turn your body to the setter but follow the ball with your head?

set10 · 12-04-2006, 10:12 AM

basically, yes. your goal is to make this as easy on yourself as possible...if you com down from a block you need to turn to open yourself up to the setter, meaning shoulders square to the setter, this should also bring you back to where you start your approach from. You only follow the ball with your head/eyes with minimal body movement because you want to stay open to the setter and ready to get the quickset. you will lose sight of the ball at times but try to see it on its way to the setter, you just gotta trust your team.

kvb · 12-04-2006, 10:52 PM

yes sirree BHDP and set10

BHitterDPasser · **Defense/Blocking -** 01-09-2007, 01:50 PM

I think my offense is coming along quickly but a big hole in my playing Middle showed itself the other day in trying to block OH and Opp. I was so concerned with closing the block that I learned that I was commiting a serious faux pas by having a horizontal component to my block. Not only was I making it hard for my defenders behind me to know where I was blocking but I was also bumping into my other blocker and pushing him off the court which leads to an ineffective block and could result in injury.

In doing some research I learned that this poor blocking form was a result of my "shuffling" to move across the net. There are other forms of footwork that I have found *here* that I am looking forward to trying out.

Anyone have any other tips as far as blocking when playing MH?

mycena · 02-02-2007, 02:24 PM

Hey BHDP, How do you think you are doing now? Haha I gotta get some videos up already to show off your middle skills.

So at the last tournie I was at and playing middle, after the first match the people organizing my team decided to have me block only the opposing middle (not the opp or OH) and to pull off for defense. Seemed kind of dumb to me since I was at least soft blocking most of the other hitters and I'm not sure anyone else on my team even got a touch when blocking. Anyway, Does this make sense to anyone else? Please teach me why we would do this?