Trapping the Middle

     The move on the left, two USLA blockers are closing the hitting lane by driving their inside hands together in order to get a good block. When doing this type of block, your inside hands should be on the other side of the net, almost touching. Keep your outside hands low and penetrate for all sharp angles. That leaves only one shot open: the high corner, which is the easiest to defend. Snapping your hand over the net, not touching the net but a little over, is very important. It gives less angles for the hitter to hit in if your hands are over the net, unlike if they were not. 

 

Using your Hips
    Consistent passing depends just as much on your hips as it does on your arms and legs. Moving your hips right helps you from a stable platform that can deliver the ball directly to the target. Usually your hips come in when you are passing from the left or right. When the ball comes into your arms, your hip should move toward the net and your outside knee should bend and the inward knee to turn inward. Keep your hips moving toward the net to keep full momentum for the ball and you. A complete follow-through should increase the chances that the pass will be a good one. 

 

Setting

One of the goals of setting is to force blockers and diggers to watch you until you release the ball. It's easier if you get your body into the right position. 
Focus on three things: getting underneath the ball, keeping your torso strait and making sure your legs are slightly apart. This will give you a good release and make any quick sets possible. 

Remember the longer you can hold the block the more likely the blockers will go down and have to jump back up, making the ball harder to hit. 

 

Keeping your Arms Parallel to your Quads
Making a stable platform for passing is a good way to get a good pass. Bend your knees at a 90 degree angle and make sure your arms a parallel with your quads when the ball contacts your arms. If you swing your arms, the ball will either go in the direction of your arms or go farther off the net. 
Before you pass a ball, make a quick check of your position on the floor and the position of your body. You may run into trouble if your legs and quads and arms aren't all parallel with each other. 

 

Bend your Knees
If you make a habit of bending your knees for the short serves, you probably will have a better chance of not popping the ball over the net on a first hit. When the ball is short, move forward, then get into a stationary position and bend your knees. By coming up vertically into the ball, you'll have better control and more time to make a good approach for hitting. Improve your leg strength early because it pays off in a big way. 

 

Get Down
Get yourself low to the floor whenever you have an opportunity to make a dig. Push off your bent leg and drive yourself through the ball, leading with your head and your shoulders. You do not want to slide on your knee, it is a more risk of injury. Extending your leg will help you make a soft landing on your thigh and hip. 


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