Middle up or back?

Question

When you have three players in back row, and you play 4-2, would you put the middle one back (V) or up (^)? What is the key difference and what are the advantage and disadvantage with middle back (V) or up (^)?

Sorry if I used the wrong term, but you might have got the picture... let me know the right term please.

Answer 1

The main advantage of the middle back is the defense.  When the outside hitter blocks the outside back row defensive player covers behind for the tips.  The middle back player is deep and the opposite side back row player is near the line cross court.  That gives 2 players digging the hard cross court hits.  Tell your blocker to block line.  That leaves the hitter free to hit the cross court and sharp cross court open to hit at the diggers.  

With the middle up or middle short defense, that player covers the tip and the deep players are cross court and down the line.  You would tell your blocker to block cross court.  Leave the line open for the digger and the sharp cross court for the other digger.

Answer 2

Middle back is the way to go.  You can get away with middle front when the kids are younger, but that does not help them in the future.  

By playing middle back the people in left and right back, or the "wings" are in charge of all the hard hit angles and the short balls in the middle.  the middle back is then in charge of filling the hole off the block, running down shanked balls more easily, and covering the regular angle shot.  They also get a clearer perception of the ball being in or not.

With the middle short defense, there is always the chance of the middle back getting nailed in the face.  And where do they go on a left side or right side hit?  They stay in the middle, while two players have to cover EVERYTHING all across the back deep...so if there is a split in the block, there is no one there to dig it because the other two players should be on the outside of the blockers hands looking for the line shot or sharp angle.

Answer 3

MY COACH THOUGHT OF A 3-2-1 DEFIANCE THREE IN FRONT SETTER AT THE NET AND THE OTHER TWO A LITTLE OFF THE NET THE OUTSIDE BACKS ARE LIKE IN THE MIDDLE AND THE MIDDLE BACK IS DEEP CLOSE TO THE OUT LINE BUT  NOT ON IT SO THEY CAN GET THE DEEP HITS AND CALL THE BALL OUT SINCE SHE'S SO CLOSE...IT LOOKS LIKE THIS...

      ====NET====

      _4___3____*SETTER IS UP

        5 ______ 1

    _____6_____