On occasion I hear the opinion expressed that reading on the beach is more important than indoor. Or perhaps that it’s done more. The idea seems to be that’s because as a defender (assuming your partner is blocking) you have every ball. As a result, you need to read to be in the right position. This is as opposed to indoor where the ball could be someone else’s. Also, you have a much more limited area of responsibility indoor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I certainly agree from a defensive coverage perspective. A good read on the beach is really important. Being even a little wrong puts you well out of position given how much area you have to cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I don’t agree, however, that beach players have to read more than indoor players. I think all players have to read the same amount. It’s just that for an indoor player the read comes with different potential implications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, if you read that the ball will not be attacked in your direction, you shift to your next responsibility. If you’re a hitter, that’s transitioning to attack. For a setter, that is moving toward target to take the second ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All players read all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let me restate that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All players should<\/em> read all the time. Doesn’t matter if you’re talking beach or indoor. It always matters what the opponent is doing, and how they set up for the next contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n