From: kaena@haleiwa.austin.ibm.com (D. Kaena Freitas)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.volleyball
Subject: Re: hitting past blocks
Date: 2 Sep 92 13:39:03 GMT
Organization: IBM, Austin

In article <5007@news.duke.edu> lees@acpub.duke.edu (Steve Lee) writes:
>
>I've been playing volleyball - real volleyball - for little under a year
>and I've just gotten to the point where I can pretty consistently hit
>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.  

Right now, it is important for you to listen to your teammates and 
encourage them to help you out. Especially the setter. They can be
your "eyes" for locating the blocks. Have them call line or angle or over
while you are attacking. Once you become very confident
in hitting, and it almost becomes "second nature", you will be able to
either do 1 of 2 things; (1) "feel" the block (2) see the block. I
know some people might think there is no such thing as "feeling" the
block, but there are times (* maybe its just myself *) but I can
almost feel where the blockers are. Eventually you will be able to 
see the blocks. And seeing the block greatly enhances your hitting abilities.
Along with seeing the blocks, will come being able to place your hits.
Whether you snap your wrists at an angle to "cut" the ball at a sharp
angle, come across your body on a "cutback", if no block or (1) blocker
is up you will be able to hit the ball with power "straight down", but
the hardest technique, yet most desirable  is being able to "snap" the ball 
over the block to deep court. 

>I'm just wondering, will I naturally get to the point
>where I don't have to keep my eye on the ball to connect so I can look
>for the block or are you supposed to try to read the block before you
>take off?  

Once your hitting becomes "second nature" you will be able to expand
your peripheral vision. This will allow you to see the block at the
same time not losing sight of the ball.

>
>Also, although I have decent hang time and get up fairly high, I have a
>hard time blocking.  Any pointers?  Everything happens so fast.
>

Timing, timing, timing.....Yes, everything happens very fast, but depending
on where you are blocking (* middle or outside *) it will come. I was
always taught to watch my hitters "belly button". I know it sounds strange,
but I never look at the ball. My coach told us to always focus through the
net. Unless the hitter is extremely good, whereever their midsection faces,
is usually where the ball will be hit.
Jump a split second after the hitter jumps, press as far over the net as 
possible, and if blocking outside, turn your outside hand in towards the 
court. Another pointer is to watch the opposing team hit a few balls. 
Try to figure out who can hit what, and where they hit. Of course if you 
are playing indoors six man, the outside blocker also has to "set" the 
block. Decide what you are going to give the opposing hitter, line or angle, 
and set the block accordingly. 

(* I'm starting to ramble, so I will end. There is no way I am going *)
(* to fit 11 years of playing into this message *)

One final note. Pick someone who you feel you could learn a number of
things from and watch that person play. "Really" notice what things
make them great and try to immitate those skills on the court. But most
of all practice, practice, practice.
-- 
D. Kaena Freitas
/* My personal opinions mean nothing to anyone else but myself. */
/* At least thats what my wife keeps telling me................ */
/* I believe she is right...................................... */