I have to jump better to be able to block! Help!

Question
Hi. We've recently just decided to add double blocking to our play and I was wondering.. How can I increase my vertical jump? i really want to be a great all around player and I couldn't achieve that if I don't know how to jump high enough to block. Please help. :)

Answer
Good morning Anne, and welcome to www.allexperts.com!

It's wonderful to hear from you.  

Let's get busy.  

a) Your team has just decided to double block? That's like a bball player saying, "My high school team has decided to learn how to play zone defense," or a sball player saying, "Our high school team has decided to try to steal some bases next season."  Most teams (that are trying to beat any opponent that is any good) will double block the sets that are come from their right and left.  In the past 10 years, my teams double block the middle as well.  Why?  B/c if the opponent is a beast, it doesn't matter how many diggers we have...... if we don't get a touch on that beast's spike, it will be a kill about 80% of the time.  Maybe your school team isn't used to playing against girls who will be front row division 1 college players.  But I've been coaching National-level club ball for about 10 years.....we see them every day that we're in a tournament. I know how important blocking is when you're trying to win state/national championships.  

b) Next, however, blocking is only a very very high priority in maybe 10% of high school matches that I see here in Virginia, 40% of club matches that I see at BigSouth, NEQ, MAPLs, etc.  Almost all vball matches are still won/lost by the team that wins the serve receive, setting and serving competition.  

Plz go back to the bball and sball analogies.  Do you win bball game b/c you can play zone?  No.  You probably win b/c you're in better shape than your opponents, you can out-defend them, and you can out-rebound them.  Do you win sball games b/c you can steal bases.  Rarely.  You probably win b/c you have a beast of a pitcher and really good defense.  

c) Now to your question about vertical.   :)   I'm not a weight room specialist, or a professional trainer/conditioner.  So, I don't know the newest fads in increasing vertical.   However, I played A LOT of ball between the ages of 25 and 40, and of course, vertical was on my mind.  This is my advice:  Jump, jump, jump.  
* This can be small and quick, or maximums.  
* You can add weights as you get stronger.  
* Jump up stairs (be careful!); jump up on boxes, then back down.
Jump, jump, jump.  :)  

By the way, when it comes to jumping, that's about what your friends and your coaches buy into this month:  the latest fad.  That's what you'll find all over the internet:  "NEW" and "THE BEST EVER!"..... and each one can be yours, if you're willing to pay.  The people who create jump-training fads get rich doing it...... just like the people who create all those new diets.   And, Anne, in my lifetime, I've probably seen 1000 diets advertised.  How long do fads stay popular?  for as long as people will make the inventor rich.  :)   When people stop paying for it, the inventor will invent a new one!   Yep, just watch.   It's unreal.   


I hope that you have a wonderful week.  My 15's team leaves for Nationals in 17 days!  We can't wait.

My staff and I are also directing 11 camps this summer.  The first one is already occurring.  They're incredible!!

To find out more about camps, private lessons, my team, etc. please visit us at www.coachhouser.com.  I think you'll really like the smiling faces!

Coach Houser