Right Side...................?

Question

Does anyone else think that being a right side hitter is the hardest position for a right handed person?

one thing is the having to hit the ball coming across your body part

but you also have to be excellent at defense to take a hard slice from the other teams right side right to your setter.

&& you also are responsible for setting the block (alot of the time since you are usually blocking the other team's power hitter)

I hate it. My coach has but me there only so i get minimal touches other than blocks. (our setter is really young and cant set back unless its a really good pass). && even though he doesnt want me getting touches-my coach gets really pissy if i miss a block(hey i cant get everything- good hitters can hit over or around a block).

I play middle blocker or outside for club and i really need practice for that. But im not getting it at school. What do I do? practice right side hitting in hitting lines and everything ? or try to "force" myself into middle blocker & outside positions in drills whenever possible?

oh, & i guess, does anyone have any tips for playing right side. lol

Answer 1

I've played middle for eons and think that RS is easier just because you have less defensive responsibility than middle.  I hope you can learn to enjoy playing RS though -- there have been several NCAA tournament MVPs who were right-handed right-siders.  For instance, Keao Burdine of USC was the MVP a couple of times in her career.  Here is her bio -- she was a beast!  (That's a compliment. :) )  http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/w-voll...

I like the suggestion above that you get some work with your setter.  Are you running a 5-1 or a 6-2?  If you're still in back row, you can work on hitting the "C" set, which is a set to the RS that you attack from behind the 10' line.  

One of my favorite plays, if your setter can pull it off, is a tight combo where both the middle and RS are approaching for quick sets -- the middle in front and the RS in back.  It's very difficult to defend, and it's something your setter will have to get comfortable setting.  Another great combo play is an X where the the middle approaches for a 1 and the RS crosses behind her to approach for a 2.  Usually the RS is hard for the opposing defense to see, so they send up a block for the middle and the RS hits the 2 with no block.  I love hearing the defense say, "Where did SHE come from??" after a successful X.  :-)  

In the meantime, work on setting a good block.  Read the hitters by watching their approach and how they're setting up to swing.  You can help your team a lot by understanding the importance of having a good RS.  

Answer 2

if you play middle idk how you think right side is hard.

middle is the hardest position ever!!! yeah on right side you have to block but in the middle you have to block EVERY TIME and every position has to set up the block at some point on the net. you shouldn't question your coaches call... if he wants you o play right side then play where he tells you, there are obviously people who are better than you in those other positions.

Answer 3

i think weak side is a difficult position, but if you become good at it-you are one of the most valuable resources because weak side hitters are hard to defend...no matter what. Other teams do not normally expect a phenom hitter coming from the weak side. I get that your setter is young and inexperienced-but if your playing at a varsity level she should be able to set back no matter what. One of the best plays to run as a weak side is a back quick-if you practice it, and get it-you will be great. I think you should stay weak side and keep practicing.

Answer 4

It's true that right side is one of the harder positions to play.  And you're right that it's hard because the ball comes across the body.  However, it can also be the most rewarding position when you get to higher levels.  You're right in the sense that a poor setter will not set right side because it's a back set blind.  At higher levels, the right side can actually run more plays like a tandem (hitting behind the middle attacker) or an X play (hitting behind or beside the middle attacker but to the corner).  Another advantage about right side, is that the sets are actually shorter and not higher and farther like a set to power.  The distance of the set makes it easier for timing.  

To hit better on right side, consider facing the court at more of an angle.  Try to aim for the opposite corner (position 1 where the server comes).  Right side also forces you to learn a proper overhead swing with the elbow in line with the arm.  This helps save the shoulder (I know because my right shoulder is screwed up) and the only place I can hit without pain is on right side.  Hit high and hard and put topspin on the ball and just trust your swing.  Hopefully these help you play the position.  Practice the set with your setter and tell your coach you want to get more right side hits and you're willing to practice with the setter to achieve it.  Don't be shy.

Good luck!

Answer 5

You seem to have everything down about playing right side.  You get to go against the strongest hitters from most teams.  You are responsible for blocking against that hitter.  (I hate the word blocking.  You are responsible for shielding.  You want to shield their best attack to where your team can dig it or shield the weakest part of your team defense against a strong attack.  If you do not touch a ball and your team digs most of the hits, you had a great "blocking" match.)  

Watch the hitters during their warmups.  Where do they hit?  Do they hit mostly cross court or can they hit the line?  If they can not hit the line, shift more for the cross court.  If they hit the line, you have to stay on the line and let your middle block the cross court and your diggers dig the sharp cross court.  

Ask your setter if she can stay late or show up early.  Tell her that you want to work on your hitting.  That is true, but she can also use the work on her back setting.  It will benefit both of you.  And work on hitting on the line.  If you can learn to hit the line, you will be very effective.  Most right side hitters hit cross court.  Most teams block cross court.  You can get lots of kills hitting line.  

If you can get this done, you will help your team win.  Teams can not win with just left side hitters.  Most good teams have good right side hitters as well as good left side hitters.  

And talk with your coach.  Tell him that are a a middle in club and you can help in the middle if he needs some help there.  Make it a suggestion.  Do not force it.  

Answer 6

you really just need to talk to your coach.

i know its easier said then done, but i would just tell my coach that i want to play outside or middle and am willing to fight for the position.

right side is pretty hard for a righty. especially hitting line. im a lefty and have to work pretty hard to hit line as an outside hitter.

if you really want to play somewhere else then you'll need to be better than the starters for that position. or just ask if the setter could come a half hour early and set you fives

that way she'll get some practice at it so she can set 5s in games and you'll get to experiment with what you can do as a righty in that position