by Volleyball Players for Volleyball Players

This months tip comes to us from a Volleyball Magazine article in late 1997, written by Mike Shlegel

Should I Stay or Should I Go

4/99 Nutrition and Energy

5/99 Breathing

As a blocker, you must make decisions whether to stay up and block or drop back and dig. Many players make the mistake of thinking that retreating is a gamble and will pay off only if the attacker hits an easy shot right to them. But the decision to retreat from the net shouldn't be guesswork.

Wait for the Set- This is the most important tip of the article. Most of the time, the opponent's set will dictate when you retreat. The prime time to turn and burn is when the set is well off the net. Of course, it also depends on the ability of the hitter you're facing. Against a big banger, you'll want to block more than against shorter players who like to shoot.

Watch the Pass to Determine Your Starting Position- As the ball's being passed, adjust your starting position. For example, if the pass is way off the net, you may want to decide to retreatr because the set may not be that good. In this case, adjust your starting position a few feet away from the net to give you head start. If the pass is good, You'll probably end up blocking, so your starting position should be a bit more than arms length from the net.

Retreat to Your Opponent's Favorite Hitting Spot- Players usually hit the ball to the same spot, especially when they see a blocker retreat. Once you've learned your opponents preference, go to that area when you drop.

One hand is better than getting dumped over-When you decide to block and the set drifts right to the top of the net, height is your greatest ally. Chances are, attackers can't take a full swing because they may hit the net. So they'll usually go for a shot over your fingertips. To combat this, drop an arm and reach with the other hand. This gives you several more inches of height.

Keep those hands up- When you retreat, always have your hands up and be ready for an overhand dig. If you made the correct decision to drop, then the set will be off the net and the hitterwill have only two options: A hard ball deep in your court or a soft shot. If it's a hard spike, the ball will come to you up high.