approach jump

Question
Iam entering my freshman year of high school. I have been playing club ball since the sixth grade.my position is OH. Iam 5'9"tall I have an approach jump of 10'11.5"in. I'm a little worried Iam shorter than most outside hitters. On my club team I play all around. Iam a good passer. As a shorter outside hitter what do I need to do to improve my game?

Answer
Hello Patrick and welcome to www.AllExperts.com

My name is Coach Tovar

To make sure that all my readers young and old can understand some of my comments, I have chosen to use simple vocabulary words and interpret the rule for this sole purpose.

Hello Patrick - that is a remarkable approach jump for a 5'9" outside hitter. If you are barely a freshman for high school then that means you still have a few more inches to grow to your last months of your junior year. You have a good future.

As a shorter outside hitter you might have trouble withe blocking close to 10' 10" which this is the average block for an outside hitter who is 6' or taller. Being an outside hitter also means you have to block on the weak side in which the average hitter has more trouble hitting. Plus you will get help from the middle blocker leaving you to block mostly in a straight up position leaving the hitter to hit down the line.

I would be somewhat more worried if you were switched to hit on the right outside hitter because then you will be blocking very high sets. You should be able to grow a little bit taller so don't worry about that.

Because you are a little more shorter than normal outside hitters hitting on the left side, you might have to rely on other special skills besides being super consistent in making a kill every you spike the ball.

Here are some suggestions you might want to look at and think about that may help you improve your game.

1. Learn how to use your opponent's block.
2. The possible options on what can you do when there is a bad set.
3. How to think smart when playing as an outside hitter.
4. How to read blockers before your team serves to id two hitters as opposed to three hitters  
  and letting your Libero know this information.
5. If you have two hitters in the front row then learn how to read the setter as a "hot"
  player.
6. Reading "X" plays plus "X" plays switching into slides. Communicate with your blockers when  
  your opponent's hitters are switching.
7. Improving your block approach techniques by marking a wall at 8' and reaching a block height
  of 9'5" or higher. You might have to jump straight up and leave less penetration into your  
  opponent's court and possible look more into a soft block.
8. Improving your blocking chances by looking at the ball as you are blocking it. This will
  help you id dinks, a punch, or back yard drop.
9. Identifying which hitters like their sets higher, closer to the net, away from the net, are
  they looking at the ball while they are spiking the ball or are they looking at the player
  while they are spiking the ball and placing the spike, and do they hit the ball at it's
  highest point.
10. Studying your opponent's hitters before the game.
11. You yourself are you hitting the ball at it's highest point.
12. Consistency in technique is very important so keep improving it.
13. Practicing hitting the ball from anywhere behind the 10' line.
14. "A coach who learns by himself will make him a great coach but a coach who learns from
   everybody will make him an excellent coach" coach Tovar. This is also true for players. If
   you see a great outside player in your own team then try to learn something from them.

If you are thinking of one day going to any DI,DII, or DIII Volleyball College then I would start recording your best offense and defensive skills. Plus keep records of you winning anything, being a starter etc. This will help you get into a Men抯 Volleyball Scholarship School even with your height if you don't grow anymore.

Here is some information about these schools.

Men抯 Volleyball Scholarship Recruiting Guidelines
Division I

2+ Years of Varsity Starting Experience
Heavy National Club Experience
National Tourney Attendance, National Qualifiers
All-State/Region/Area/Conference/District/Country/League Awards before Senior Year
High Performance Experience
USA Jr. National Team Experience
Average Stats and Characteristics
Libero/Defensive Specialist
5?″-6?″; 24″+ Vertical
Middle Hitter
6?″-7?″; Approach Touch 11?″+
Outside Hitter/Right Side
6?″-6?0″; Approach Touch 11?″+
Setter
6?″-6?″; Approach Touch 10?″+

Division II

2 Year Varsity Starter
Heavy National Club Experience
All-State/Region/Area/Conference/District/Country/League Awards
Average Stats and Characteristics
Libero/DS
5?″-6?″; 24″+ Vertical
Middle Hitter
6?″-7?″; Approach Touch 11?″+
Outside Hitter/Right Side
6?″-6?″; Approach Touch 10?0″+
Setter
6?″-6?″; Approach Touch 10?″+

Division III

Started Varsity
Heavy Club Participation
Average Stats and Characteristics
Libero/DS
5?″-6?″; 24″+ Vertical
Middle Hitter
6?″-6?″; Approach Touch 11?″+
Outside Hitter/Right Side
6?″-6?″; Approach Touch 10?0″+
Setter
6?″-6?″; Approach Touch 10?″+

Men抯 Volleyball Numbers
Total Number of Varsity Programs
Division I 23
Division II 13
Division III 53
NAIA 0
Total Number of Scholarships per Program
Division I 4.5
Division II 4.5
Division III 0
NAIA 0
Total Number of Male Varsity Volleyball Athletes
Division I 441
Division II 204
Division III 674

Coach Tovar

I hope this answers your question.

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