The center or middle blocker is a critical position in volleyball.Hitters are responsible for scoring points for their team.If you want to be good in your position, you need to have good offensive and defensive skills.You will be able to drive plays and score points by practicing and understanding your position.
Step 1: There are zones in volleyball.
Understand the zones in volleyball.There are 6 players and 6 zones on each side of the court in volleyball.The front and back rows of the team are called attacking and defending zones.Middle hitters play in zone 3 or the front row.Zone 4, 3, and 2 are the front three attacking positions.Zone 5, 6, and 1 are the defensive positions from the left to the right.Middle hitters will sometimes play the back middle zone.
Step 2: A variety of hitting methods can be used.
If you want to be an effective middle hitter in volleyball, you need to keep your opponents guessing about how you are going to attack the ball.The ball will be hit parallel to the sideline if you hit the line.The ball will travel at an angle towards the outside defenders if it is hit anangle.This is called a cross-court attack.A hard driven spike is very difficult to defend and can be used at an angle.A short or long line tip is used to trick your opponent into thinking you are going to spike the ball, but instead you lightly hit it through their defense.
Step 3: Talk to your Setter.
How well you are set up will be determined by the connection you have with your Setter.You can improve each other's timings by creating verbal or nonverbal ways to signal.Constantly be making eye contact and nodding after each point scored to assure them that you are running the same play and that nothing has changed.If you use your non-dominant hand, you can tell the Setter where to set the ball.Discuss the pace that you're both following with your Setter.You should adjust your timing if the ball is being set too early or late.It isn't always about you.If your Setter is having a hard time finding the right pace, try to change how quickly you approach the ball.A little further out, please, a little higher/lower please.Setters want to be acknowledged for their great sets.
Step 4: You can increase your knowledge by watching volleyball championship games.
You can observe technique from the best players in the world by watching the NCAA champion games.Make sure to observe how they spike the ball, their timing, and any other strategies they use in order to make your attack more effective.The official website of the NCAA is http://www.ncaa.com.Volleyball games can be seen on sports channels.
Step 5: Share your strategies with your teammates.
You are not the only offensive position on the team.Outside hitters can also help to throw off the defense when the ball is being set.You can fake the spike while you execute it for a kill.A fake out is a tandem attack.If you want to fake an angle shot, go for a shot down the line.
Step 6: If you're having a hard time with your position, talk to your coach.
If you have a specific question, then your coach is the one to go to.They can help you understand where you fit in the team and what's missing.Before confronting the coach if you are having chemistry issues with other members of your team, talk to the players.If you have to confront your coach, you will be able to tell him that you tried to figure out what the problem was between you and your teammate, but you need his help.
Step 7: To confuse your opponent, consistently approach the ball.
The defenders will be tricked into thinking that you will hit the ball the same way every time, if you approach it the way you have always approached it.You can alternate between hitting down the line, hitting on an angle, spiking the ball and short tips if you master your approach.The approach should look the same.Think of each approach as a progression of 3 to 4 steps, a leap and a hit.
Step 8: There are holes in the opposing team's defense.
You need to expose holes in the opponent's block in order to score.There is a hole between the outside and middle defenders.Try to find times when the opposing team is not synchronized when blocking the shot by watching their timing.Look at the timing of the middle and outside defenders when they block the ball.You can exploit tendencies in their play to get a kill.If you get there first before the opposing block, you will be able to make a kill with little to no resistance except for the DS.A defensive specialist.
Step 9: Use the net to block the ball.
Being a good middle blocker is part of being a middle hitter.A person who plays the middle position in the front row is referred to as a middle blocker at the collegiate level.When you go up for a block, make sure you use your feet correctly in order not to hurt yourself or others.The person to the left or right of you should be close to your pin blocker to make sure the ball can't get through.Penetrating the net makes it harder for the opposing attacker to hit the ball.
Step 10: Hit your opponent to confuse them.
As the middle hitter, you don't want to be predictable.The defense will be confused if you mix up your shots.Practice shots that you aren't good at, and do a variety of shots.In order to confuse your opponents, alternate between tips, spikes, shots down the line and shots at an angle.
Step 11: Hit at an angle and down the line.
When you are playing, you will mostly perform down the line attacks.To become an efficient middle hitter, you have to master both of these types of attacks.You can improve your technique by hitting on the other side of the net.
Step 12: You should play different plays with your team.
It is important that you refine your team's chemistry other than honing your own skills.Make sure to practice with the person who will be setting the balls.There are different types of set-ups, like a 4-2 system where 4 players are designated as hitters and 2 as Setters.You might not know how your team will react to plays in the game if you skip practice.If a teammate needs help, make sure you help them in any way you can.
Step 13: You can master your vertical leap.
You can increase your vertical leap by exercising your core, legs, back, and hip muscles.You need a high vertical in order to jump up for the ball.Increasing the height of your vertical leap can be aided by jumping hurdles and other exercises.If you have a less than average vertical leap height, do conditioning drills twice a week.