Volleyball Tip
4 Volleyball Tips On How To Cover Your Hitter
As a teammate, it is your job to support your hitters when they go up to hit. If the hitter is blocked, being in an position to help return ball and prevent your opponent from scoring. Here are a few tips we teach at our All Skills Volleyball Camps to make sure you are always ready to assist your hitter.
Tip #1: Position yourself close to your hitter. A classic formation for covering an outside hitter is to have three players aligned next to the hitter. These players are typically the middle blocker, who is next to the net, the setter, who is on the 10 ft. line, and the left back, who covers the sideline behind the hitter. This formation of 3 is best at defending straight blocks and soft blocks in the front of the court.
Tip #2: Cover deep blocks. When a ball is blocked into the deep corners, the other two players need to be ready to return the ball. The middle back is placed down the line and the right back or opposite is placed deep cross court. When a deep block occurs, these players are expected to run down a deep ball in between them since they will have more time to get there. Communication is key in these situations. Once you've called for the ball, stick to and commit!
Tip #3: Control the ball. When a ball is blocked it can be hard to bring it back up and keep it on your side. By keeping the ball on your side and controlled, you are giving your teammates more time to react and return the ball. Controlling the ball allows you and your team a better chance to score.
Tip #4: Be ready for anything. When the ball is blocked it can come back onto your side in many different ways. By being prepared and in an athletic stance you are increasing your chances of successfully returning the ball. Keep your arms out so the ball can bounce off, even if you don’t have much time to react.
Bonus Tip: Play hard and work through mistakes. Teams make mistakes every game. It's your job to help your teammates bounce back from an error. Listen to your coaches, work together, and shake it off!
For more great tips and instruction check out our other Nike Volleyball Tips and improve your game!