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From Scott Hammon, |
APEX Boys Volleyball Club home : Learning the 5-1: Rotation part 1 here.
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Learning the Basics One of the more frequent questions asked by newer volleyball players is where do I go when an opponent player is about to spike. While it requires team play and communication, basic hitter defense strategy is not only easy to learn and easy to employ, but, also very effective. Often referred to as "box defense" or "perimeter defense," basic hitter defense uses two blockers and four defenders. Each defender has a zone they cover as well as a roll in the defense. What is important in this defense is that all players must watch the setter and quickly decide to which player the set is going.
The back row players line-up in specific areas to cover what the blockers can't. The left back player ( LB) covers the line shot and deep roll shots over the block. The LB should try and set up so that the hitter is visible around the blockers. The middle back ( MB) should set up behind and between the blockers, sitting in the shadow of the block. The MB should look for a seam between the blockers where the hitter can put a hard driven ball between the blockers and in the MB's hands. The MB is also going to expect deep and shallow roll shots or dinks, as well as the hard driven shots off of the top of the blockers . The right back player ( RB) should set up outside of the block with the attacker visible around the block. The RB should be set up low and be ready to dig up some serious heat. Cross court around the block is the most prevalent shot and the RB has the toughest if not the most painful position in this rotation. From the Middle
From the Right
Attacks coming from the right or opposite hitter are managed pretty much the same way
as the other outside attack. The important thing is for the outside back row players to get
out of the shadow of the block. If they are in the shadow then there is an open hole on the
court. If they are in the right area, four players can cover all parts of the court and
any ball that hits the ground was hit so well that the opponents deserve the point/sideout.
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Once the set is going to the left or
strong side hitter, the defense must immediately move into position. For this defense to work the
blockers must setup and get-up. By that we mean the left front player sets the block by placing
him/herself off of the hitter's hitting shoulder and then waits for the middle blocker
to join the block BEFORE jumping. The middle blocker moves to the block
by turning and sprinting to the outside. Only when the blockers are together should they initiate their block
, jumping together after the opponent leaves the ground.The blockers' ability to jump as a unit is a major part of this defense.
The other front row player turns his/her shoulders towards the attacker and
waits for an extreme angle shot or a shank off of the block.
The middle attack often comes so fast that defenders will not have
enough time to do much reacting. Usually, only the middle blocker will have enough time to
put up a block. Once the set goes to the middle, the outside blockers must turn and wait
for a shank of the block/net or a sweeping power dink. The outside back row players should line up so that they can see
the hitter and wait for the hard shots going left or right. Often middle shots are very
shallow, so they should look for shots about two feet off of the attack line. The MB should setup right behind the blocker
and wait for deflections and all roll shots. Roll shots often travel higher and slower and the
MB should be able to get to any roll shot going to the back court.