Be a Middle Blocker in Volleyball

This is for people who have a passion for volleyball and want to know the basics of the middle blocker position.

Steps

  1. Be in good shape. A middle blocker needs to be built for speed since you take off in either direction to block a hitter. You have one of the most important positions on the team! It's one of the most demanding positions in terms of the cardiovascular system.
  2. Possess a high vertical. This means that you can jump high; you can achieve this by working out with plyometrics or "strength" training. It helps to be tall and have long arms.
  3. Be able to make decisions quickly. The strength of a middle blocker is not usually power, but speed. Almost all of the sets that middle gets are either immediately above the net or about a foot above. This means that you have about a second to get to the ball before it drops below the net. So, if you haven't decided what you are going to do then you will miss your chance.
  4. Anticipate your opponents. YOU own the net. Any ball that gets near the net, try to wrap your hands around it. Call out opposing hitters, call stacked plays, be the first to cheer your teammates as you are usually a part of every play and your intensity will inspire your team. Know where you will be needed most according to the opposition's line-up. Know where their key hitters are and shut them down.
  5. Develop good setter relationship. Since your sets are typically faster, with less reaction time, it is essential for the setter and MB to be on the same page. Repeatedly practice with your setter from a variety of angles, making you more of a target during plays that would typically omit you from the play, i.e. bad pass, no approach.

Tips

  • Also, you should keep your hands very rigid. A ball that bounces off stiff hands is easier to retrieve than a ball that lost all of its momentum and drops to the floor because your hands were loose
  • Remember when blocking you should spread your fingers as wide as they go to be able to block as much area as you can.
  • Get in the right mind-set from the beginning. Your main job is to block and to be a decoy, freeing up your hitters. Take pride in the fact you shut down the opposition's offense. Take pride in the fact you just pulled a blocker for your outside hitter. This said, when you do get offensive opportunities, make them count. They will not come often, but your hits have a high percentage to be kills, given their speed.
  • learn how to close a block, it's the worst feeling ever to try to block a ball and for it to slide between you and the net. To avoid this make sure your feet land with both feel perfectly perpendicular to the net when you land. If you try to reach too far to close the block your hip will open up, letting the ball come between you and the net. The solution is to have your pin blocker to reach back into you some too.

Warnings

  • Remember to stretch before playing volleyball because it is a high intensity sport that requires a very large range of motion, power, and agility. You want to be prepared for anything.

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