Reading the hitter from the libero position

Question
I'm a Sophomore in high school. We just did tryouts this past week,I made varsity. My coach wants me as a libero. I've always wanted to be one. I feel like I could improve a LOT!!! On my team i'm 3rd best passer my coach says. How do I read where the ball is coming in after a hit or during a serve so i know where to go? How can I improve myself so I can keep my position? I use to be a middle hitter but im only 5'5 so thta didn't work out.  

Answer
Hello again Tiffany, and welcome to www.allexperts.com!

Reading the hitter is really hard.  I'm not very good at it, and most people who teach kids how to read the hitter are just telling them the obvious.  Here are the obvious ones:  (a# If the hitting is coming at you, she will either hit it to you or across her body #if she's right-handed, that would be to your right#.  #b# You'll know she's tipping when you can see her hand.  As long as she's hitting, it's moving so fast that you can't see it.  #c# Don't worry about the accidents that fall.  All hitters whiff or hit a ball off their thumb.....and it may fall.  It's irritating, but you can't anticipate them, and your hitters do the same things.  #d# Do not let a player beat you continually in the same place.  Take away her favorite shot, and make her beat your team some other way.  #e) NEVER stand directly behind your blockers.  First, the hitter can't hit there.  Second, you can't see the hitter.  Third, if the hitter tips behind the block, your coach has probably already told you whose ball that is.  

But, to me, all these are logical if you've played a while.  All the other hints that I have are about digging while playing 6's.  

If any readers have more hints for this young lady about how to read hitters when you're playing 6's defense and there's a double block on the hitter, please add in your advice!

Thanks again for visiting and I'm sorry I wasn't quicker in answering.  Right now, I just got to my room at the hotel in Pittsburgh.  We missed both matches today, but my stepdaughter's team was 1-1.  I hope they can do that well tomorrow.....with me and her mom watching!  haha  

See at www.coachhouser.com!
Coach Houser





Hello Tiffany!

I'm at work right now and will not be able to answer your question until later today!

But I'll get to it as soon as I can!

While you're waiting, please visit me at www.coachhouser.com!  :)  

Coach Houser