Do the new places where I've been playing have a better defense?

Question

I've been playing competitive volleyball for 20 years. I'm not new to the sport, so please have a good answer. I played indoor 6's in high school. I played in the state of PA if this makes a difference. We always played the middle back up and the other back players played the corners or hard cross shots. I moved to away from the north for several years and played 2's beach only. I have moved back north and I'm playing indoor 6's again. Except, now I'm playing in NJ. Every place I play, they play the middle back person back and the outside back players play up.

Is this defense better? I personally don't think so because it creates confusion in the middle since two people are responsible for the ball. Also this leaves the corners open and the middle back has to cover both sides of the court. What is going on? Is all of NJ crazy? Did this new defense pop up in the last few years? Please tell me which defense is better when you have three in the back row and why.

Answer 1

Ju-jit-su. Watya want.

Answer 2

No. its not really a "new defense", and secondly if you understand your position and its responsibilities, there should be no confusion at all on the court.

Answer 3

I believe that middle back-back is better, no matter whether you have three players in the back row or 2.5 players (if you play 6-2 and back-row setter goes to the front row 50% of the time).

No, it is not new, as I have been personally playing that middle back position for 20+ years. Of note all three back row player would have to move back and forth not to leave any one in the corner.

By the way, have you had a chance to play with team "fusion" yet? They have some really good players, and they know what they are doing.