This video is brought to you by Volleyball Training Solutions. It features Jim Stone and discusses middle blocker transition footwork. Visit www.volleyballsolutions.com/ for more helpful videos!
I was granted the opportunity to ask Jim Stone a few questions about the contents of this video last year. He was gracious enough to answer me and this is a quote from his email: "I've changed my perspective on transition footwork for middle blockers. This was done for several reasons. The first reason is I want the middle blocker dropping straight off the net first after blocking on the outside. In the video you mentioned, I had a priority on getting back to the middle of the court. The second reason is the blocking action for top middles has their body motion going back to the middle of the court. So, it was difficult to turn opposite that motion if the attack goes down the line. Hopefully, I've explained that okay. So, when blocking to the outside, regardless of where the ball is attacked, the middle blocker will take a drop step with their inside foot, locate the ball, drop straight off the net, then go to the attack." Hopefully that helps some of you, like me, who were struggling with this video. Even the coach in the video doesn't teach middle transition foot work like that anymore ;-)
Some coaches believe that you must open to the setter, not the court because it is a waste of time being open to the court and In the way. Or open to the court and the setter is far away. That takes the middle out of play.
This footwork (which is the point of the video) is completely wrong!!! The transition should first and foremost OPEN TO THE COURT, turning around the wrong direction is a HUGE waste of time and effort. Get space off of the net, getting to the center is a rare bonus. I was a 4 year starter for Penn State competing in 4 Final Four competitions Do not listen to this video unless you want to be slow and awkward.
Weren’t you a slow and awkward middle though? I don’t think there’s as much wrong with his video as you think. If you’re transitioning hard to the middle of the court while picking up the pass off the swing and approaching from there where is the issue?
I disagree with you Turko. I am a major proponent of keeping your eyes on the ball. It absolutely affects your timing in transition. Not to mention preparing you for an overpass joust... I am also a huge proponent of the big first step. In the few split seconds MB have to get off and back on the net, minimizing their number of steps is critical.
