From: scott@bell.b17a.ingr.com (Scott Bell)
Subject: Re: hitting past blocks
Organization: Intergraph Corporation, Huntsville, AL.
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 13:06:49 GMT

In article <1992Aug31.155212.6765@jarvis.csri.toronto.edu>, ematias@csri.toronto.edu (Edgar Matias) writes:
|> In article <5007@news.duke.edu> lees@acpub.duke.edu (Steve Lee) writes:
|> >
|> >the ball down.  The problem is that although I can put the ball down
|> >hard, I also get blocked hard a lot of times.  I'll admit that I don't
|> >look for the blocks - I'm too concerned with keeping my eye on the ball
|> >and crushing it.  I'm just wondering, will I naturally get to the point

      << misc. nuked above/below about attack-and-block skills>>
|> 
|>    I can't speak for others, but I've always found it easy enough to hit
|> around a block without having to look directly at it.  When I see that the
|> ball is being set (outside) to me I'll take a quick glance at the position
|> of the blocking players, then focus on the ball; I now have a rough idea of
|> where they'll be taking off from.  When I'm in the air and about to hit the
|> ball, I'll keep an eye on the blockers' hands with my peripheral vision and
|> will therefore know how much to the left or right to cut the ball.

        Do you ever rely on calls from teammates about the block( "Two up
        tight" or "Nobody!") ??

        I think the "peripheral vision" thang would be tough on quick to 
        medium speed sets. Do you always do this, or is it a little intuition?
        Just curious - my game would improve alot if the answer was revealed...

|> 
|> >Also, although I have decent hang time and get up fairly high, I have a
|> >hard time blocking.  Any pointers?  Everything happens so fast.
|> 
|>    Because I'm fairly short (5'8") I can't rely on great height or long
|> arms for my blocking, so I have to rely on timing and other factors.  One
|> very important thing that you should do is to look at the SPIKER when you're
|> blocking, and not the BALL.  If you focus on the ball, you won't know which
|> way the hitter will cut; if you zero in on the hitter's approach and arm-
|> swing, you'll be able to see exactly where he/she is hitting the ball, and
|> adjust your jump or reach accordingly.

        I kinda agree, but think you should zero in on BOTH ball and possible
        attacker. If you focus on one or the other, I think you'll get caught
        going up on a fake or screwing up your timing because you're not up
        quickly. 

        It works for me to watch both and get partially on the side of the swing,
        i.e. watch how far back they rotate their shoulder/ move their hand.
        Intimidation is a big factor also( wear shirts that say "Kamikaze Attack"
        or "Death to Blockers" ;0 ;)
|> >
|> >
|> >-CRUSH
|> 
|>    No probs.
|> 
|>      - Mark Rosteck -
|> (g1marker@cdf.toronto.edu)

 Get Vertical!
 Scott
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