Here’s an interesting inquiry on middle development from an inexperienced coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I need help training fresh young middles. I lack experience or knowledge in training middles. Can you give me your TOP THREE pieces of advice to help train them. What’s the most important in your opinion? Whats the best way to train them (drills etc.). Much appreciated in advance!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are so many directions one can go when talking about middle development, but we’re talking about newbies here. That being the case, let’s keep it pretty simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the beginner level when it comes to the blocking aspect of being a middle, simply getting to the pins to block tends to be the biggest hurdle. In a lot of cases the kids think their way out of doing it. They either simply aren’t ready to react to the set quickly, or they’re guessing and get caught wrong-footed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So make things simple for them. Get them to focus strictly on reacting to the set. Don’t worry about reading yet. That will come later.<\/a> Just work with them on moving on the set with the right footwork. A starting point is simply tossing a ball to a setter who randomly decides which way to set (or you can signal them in advance). Once you see they have a grasp of the idea, make sure to put them up against hitters so they have to move at game speed. Otherwise, they’ll end up going too slow or simply going through the motions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And through it all make sure to keep them focused on just reacting and then moving as quickly as possible. No guessing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the offensive side of things the big issue with new middles is getting them to be available to attack as much as possible. This is especially true in transition. It’s pretty easy to know what to do in serve receive or free ball situations. Those are often well-scripted. In transition, however, things are moving fast and new middles can really struggle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Actually, the first challenge is often just keeping them out of the way of the setter!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I would suggest giving them a simple set of guidelines or instructions for that phase. What exactly this means probably depends on the sort of offense you’re running. It could be as simple, though, as saying if the ball is dug left of center the middle runs something (quick, 2-ball<\/a>) behind, otherwise it’s in front.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBlocking: React!<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Hitting: Be available!<\/h6>\n\n\n\n