Help with volleyball...Middle position transtiions and systems?

Question

I play middle position for a high school volleyball team and im not sure about where to go when transitioning...offencsive and defensive.

Answer 1

Hmm, not completely sure what you're trying to ask but I'll give it a shot.

When transitioning onto offense, get back to your position where you're ready for your approach AS FAST AS YOU CAN. The reason you have to be fast is because more often than not, you will be the earliest/quickest option for the setter. If you are running a quick set or a "1", you're pretty much getting back as fast as you can and starting your approach immediately.

When transitioning onto defense, again, you need to get into position to block as fast as you can. You also need to find your opposing middle blocker, and keep your peripheral vision on the opposing outside hitters. Just as it was true for your team, the opposing middle blocker is most likely THEIR earliest and quickest setting option.. be ready to block that! You also need to keep an eye on those outside hitters, in case they're running some type of crossing play.

Answer 2

This is what I do at the middle (both front and back row):

... block (cover yourself for any tip), on-your-feet, back one step, up for quick hit (1 or 2), on-your-feet, move-block/pass (if it is for "free" come back quickly and ready to receive and pass), up for quick hit...

I would be in attacking mode whenever there was a "good-enough" pass, and my setter could always find me in the air whenever he thought about setting for me.

If the setter decided to set for the outside spiker (when the pass was not that good, you would not need to jump in the air), cover for any block and dig the ball up whenever possible.

When in back row, I was assigned to be at middle-back, who would cover from corners to corners, diving for tips and spikes. I would also run out to help my teammate when he was rushing to get a hard-to-get. When there was a bad pass going backward, I was always ready to set for hitters as soon as the setter called for "help" (after 20+ years from college, I can still dive from center-back to front corners, and set from back corners to front corners).

I was trained to assume that the ball would never die (it would be always in play till you hear the whistle). I tend to run for every hard-to-get even after the ball had hit the floor, which helped me develop a good habit of fighting for the last chance. I move myself frequently to the best defense position when the ball was being moved on the other side of the net.

So you have a picture of me, more foot work, more movement, more diving (rolling over to the standing), more blocking, and more jumping in the air. I did sometimes have to hit outside when we called special play, but most of the time I was the middle blocker who also did most other "dirty job".

By the way, I do talk a lot on the court, and most time I was loud :) Calling the score, calling the ball.