Tips for playing middle?

Question

for vball i usually play outside. I can hit a shoot to the outside. but for a big tourney coming up in june I have to play middle.. oh and I know how to hit a slide..Any tips?

Answer 1

be ready to move around a lot!! i play middle and i luv it. im always moving blocking. tipping. & spiking

Answer 2

for a middle, it's all about movement. The only person that should move more than the middle is the setter (if a team is passing really well, then a middle might actually run more than a setter). You have to be able to constantly move back from the attack line to the net. You're always blocking, so you're moving laterally. Work on your footwork, and little things like how you come down after a block. In the middle, it's very important to come down and open up to the ball (of course this is important of any hitter). What makes it so difficult in the middle is that the ball can very easily be hit on your left, or your right. If you don't open up properly, you will more than likely be out of position and miss an opportunity to hit a quick. A lot of the position is the same as others. You may pass less, depending on how your coach has the serve receive set up. You might not even have to play defence in the backrow, again that's up to the coach. The biggest thing is your feet. If you can't get to a quick, or close a block than you're not doing the things a middle NEEDS to do.

Good Luck. I played middle and loved it. To me, I'd rather stuff block someone than put a hit inside their attack line. Oh, that reminds me....make sure you know who their middle hitter is that you're blocking and keep your eyes on them....if they go for a quick and you're ball watching, you just got one of your teammates six packed! ;-)

Answer 3

be fast and explosive. better to be early than late.

Answer 4

I have been playing volleyball for 8 years and I have played a middle for 2 years I would say hit your corners no one is ever there usually and get low on your blocks I hope this helps you!!!

Answer 5

Work with your setter to decide where you will be on bad passes, maybe a shoot to a different position.  It will keep you in more plays and make the defense guess a little.

Answer 6

Keep moving and talking. Middles need to run an approach on every ball they can but if your passing is off it is difficult to get a set. The problem then becomes a lack of communication. Middles stop running routes and calling for the ball because they didn't get set and now they won't get set because they aren't calling for it. Also quick snap of the wrist (since most of your attacks may be closer to the net) and if necessary you can finish "thumb up" to cut to the right back position or the "thumb down" position to hit the power cut on a quick attack. Just hit the ball like you normally would and finish the arm swing by turning your thumb up or down.

Answer 7

Try to watch the opposing setter in warm ups.  Most setters will tip where the set is going.  Keep watching to see if you can figure it out before the first set of the match.  Then you can be on your way to the side where the ball is going so that you can double block on every play.