5 John Speraw
UCLA Men’s head coach, former assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team
■ Know the tendencies of the offense. It all happens fast, so it helps to know when the quick hitter is more likely to get set. ■ Don’t get caught watching the ball after the pass. Get your vision down so you can see the route of the middle, and then focus on the setter’s hands so you can read the release. ■ Know the individual hitter’s tendencies. Unlike high-ball situations, trying to decide where a hitter will attack is more of a guessing game. Make your move immediately after the ball is set. If you go straight up while trying to decide where the ball will go, it will already be by you. ■ Don’t be afraid to commit every once in a while. Taking some calculated risks can pay off. ■ Keep learning. Middles hit for a high percentage, so even a good blocker won’t stuff many. If you miss a shot, learn from the play, move on and be eager for your next chance.
Tom Hoff
Retired middle blocker, U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team; three-time Olympian (2000, 2004, 2008); 2008 Olympic gold medalist
Being successful in volleyball starts with preparation before the ball is even in play, and that includes prepping for success as a middle blocker. Identifying what rotation the other team is in, knowing what plays the opposing team runs frequently, communicating not only with your wing blockers about responsibilities but with the server – those are all keys to being a good middle.
After the ball is served, you want to quickly identify the quality of the reception. Is it an overpass? Will the offense be in system? Will the offense be out of system? From these three possibilities, you’ll make decisions accordingly. If the other team is in-system, you’ll front the opposing middle hitter. If not, you’ll stay neutral in the middle of the court. From here, it’s mostly about staying balanced and being ready to move very quickly in either direction after you make a good read on the setter. Remember, success in blocking involves three things:
26 | VOLLEYBALLUSA • Digital Issue at
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Bringing your scouting skills to the court, prepping before the play and reading the setter.
Tamari Miyashiro Lbero on silver-medal winning 2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team
Doing most of the work before the middle is set will give you the best chance of digging a quick. Before the setter gets the ball, I like to have an idea of where the middle is approaching, whether she is in front or behind, if she’s tight to the setter or farther away. Once I know this, I look at the setter to see the set and fi gure out
the hitter’s relationship to the ball. This hitter/ball relationship should give you an idea of where he or she can hit the ball. You can get a lot of information from the hitter’s line of approach, where their shoul- ders are facing, the motion of their arm swing and even the contact.
TEACHING THE GAME
keys to reading the middle blocker
Here’s what fi ve experts have to say about how to neutralize the attack of an opposing middle hitter
ILLUSTRATION: MATT GARTHOFF
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