Volleyball is a popular team sport that has gained a lot of popularity around the world. It requires a high level of coordination and communication among the players on the court. Each position has its responsibilities and plays a vital role in the team’s success. One of the most crucial positions in volleyball is the outside hitter. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the outside hitter position.
What is an Outside Hitter?
A player that’s in the outside hitter volleyball position is responsible for attacking and defending on the left side of the court. This player is also known as the left-side hitter or left-side attacker. They are usually taller and more athletic than the other players on the court and are responsible for scoring points for their team.
Responsibilities of an Outside Hitter
The outside hitter has a range of responsibilities, including:
Attacking: The outside hitter is responsible for attacking the ball from the left side of the court. They must jump high and hit the ball with power and accuracy to score points for their team.
Blocking: The outside hitter is also responsible for blocking the opposing team’s attacks. They must be quick and have excellent timing to block the ball at the net.
Serving: The outside hitter is also responsible for serving the ball to start the rally.
Digging: The outside hitter must also be able to dig the ball when the opposing team attacks. They must be quick and have excellent reflexes to dig the ball and keep it in play.
Skills Required for an Outside Hitter
To be successful as an outside hitter, there are specific skills that a player must possess. These skills include:
Jumping: An outside hitter must be able to jump high to attack and block the ball effectively.
Hitting: An outside hitter must have excellent hitting skills and be able to hit the ball with power and accuracy.
Blocking: An outside hitter must have good timing and be able to block the ball at the net.
Serving: An outside hitter must be able to serve the ball with accuracy and power.
Defense: An outside hitter must be able to dig the ball when the opposing team attacks.
Tips for Playing as an Outside Hitter
Here are some tips for playing as an outside hitter:
Practice your hitting: Hitting is one of the most crucial skills for an outside hitter. Practice hitting the ball from different positions on the court to improve your accuracy and power.
Work on your blocking: Blocking is also an essential skill for an outside hitter. Practice blocking the ball at the net to improve your timing and technique.
Improve your jumping: Jumping is vital for an outside hitter. Incorporate plyometric exercises, such as box jumps and vertical jumps, into your training regimen to increase your vertical jump.
Communicate with your teammates: Communication is key in volleyball. As an outside hitter, you must communicate with your setter and other teammates to ensure a well coordinated effort on the court.
Be adaptable: Being able to adapt to different situations and play styles is essential for an outside hitter. Learn how to adjust your hitting and blocking technique based on the opposing team’s strategy and strengths.
Focus on footwork:Footwork is essential in volleyball. As an outside hitter, you must have good footwork to position yourself correctly for attacking, blocking and digging the ball.
Work on your serving: Serving is another critical skill for an outside hitter. Practice different types of serves, such as float serves and jump serves, to keep your opponents guessing.
Outside Hitter vs. Opposite Hitter
The outside hitter and opposite hitter are two positions that are often confused in volleyball. While both positions require excellent hitting and blocking skills, there are some key differences.
The opposite hitter is responsible for attacking and blocking on the right side of the court, while the outside hitter plays on the left. Additionally, the opposite hitter is usually a more significant and more powerful hitter, while the outside hitter is more versatile and can play both offense and defense.
Famous Outside Hitters
There have been many great outside hitters throughout the history of volleyball. Some of the most famous include:
Karch Kiraly: Kiraly is widely considered one of the best volleyball players of all time. He won three Olympic gold medals playing as an outside hitter for the US men’s volleyball team.
Misty May-Treanor: May-Treanor is a former professional beach volleyball player who won three Olympic gold medals playing as an outside hitter for the US women’s beach volleyball team.
Jordan Larson: Larson is a current professional volleyball player who plays as an outside hitter for the US women’s volleyball team. She has won multiple Olympic medals and was named the best outside hitter in the 2016 Olympic Games.
Strategies for Success as an Outside Hitter
To be successful as an outside hitter, there are several strategies that you can employ:
Focus on your strengths: Identify your strengths as an outside hitter and work on improving them. If you’re an excellent hitter, focus on improving your hitting skills. If you’re a good blocker, work on perfecting your blocking technique.
Study the game: Watch videos of professional volleyball matches and study the techniques used by top outside hitters. Pay attention to their footwork, hitting and blocking technique and communication with their teammates.
Develop a training plan: Develop a training plan that focuses on improving your weaknesses while maintaining your strengths. Incorporate a mix of strength training, plyometrics and volleyball specific drills into your routine.
Stay mentally tough: Volleyball can be a mentally challenging sport and outside hitters often face pressure to perform. Develop mental toughness by visualizing success and staying focused on the game.
How to Train to Become an Outside Hitter
To become an outside hitter, you must develop the necessary skills through training. Here are some tips for training to become an outside hitter:
Develop a strength training regimen that focuses on developing leg, core and upper body strength.
Incorporate plyometrics and agility drills into your training to improve your jumping and footwork.
Practice hitting and blocking drills to improve your technique and timing.
Work on your serving by practicing different types of serves and focusing on accuracy and power.
Improve your defensive skills by practicing digging and receiving drills.
Common Mistakes to Avoid as an Outside Hitter
While playing as an outside hitter, there are several common mistakes that players make that can hinder their performance. Here are some mistakes to avoid:
Not Reading the Block
One of the most common mistakes is failing to read the block. As an outside hitter, it’s crucial to identify the position and movement of the blockers and adjust your attack accordingly. Hitting into a well formed block will likely result in a point for the opposing team.
Being Predictable
Another mistake is being too predictable in your attacks. If you always hit the same way, the opposing team will quickly pick up on it and adjust their defense accordingly. Varying your attacks, such as using different hitting angles and speeds, will keep the opposing team on their toes and increase your chances of scoring.
Poor Footwork
Footwork is crucial for an outside hitter. Poor footwork can result in being out of position, leading to missed hits and blocked shots. Ensure you work on your footwork during practice, including running patterns, foot speed and directional changes.
Not Communicating with Teammates
Communication is essential in volleyball and failing to communicate effectively can hurt the team’s performance. As an outside hitter, it’s essential to communicate with your teammates, including calling for sets, signaling for blocks and calling out who will cover specific areas of the court.
Not Being Mentally Tough
Playing as an outside hitter requires mental toughness and letting mistakes or setbacks affect your game can be detrimental. It’s essential to remain focused and positive, even in challenging situations and to bounce back quickly from mistakes.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can improve your performance as an outside hitter and help your team succeed.
Conclusion
The outside hitter position is an essential role in volleyball, requiring a combination of athleticism, skill and adaptability. As an outside hitter, you must have excellent hitting, blocking and defensive skills, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with your teammates. By focusing on improving your jumping, footwork and serving and developing mental toughness, you can become a successful outside hitter.
Remember to always adapt to different situations and play styles and to focus on your strengths while improving your weaknesses. By studying the game and training hard, you can become a great outside hitter like some of the famous players mentioned above.
FAQs
What’s the difference between an outside hitter and a middle blocker? An outside hitter typically plays on the left side of the court and is responsible for both attacking and defense, while a middle blocker plays in the center of the court and focuses on blocking.
What is the average height of an outside hitter? The average height of an outside hitter is around 6 feet, but height is not the only factor in determining success as an outside hitter.
Can a shorter player be a successful outside hitter? Yes, a shorter player can still be successful as an outside hitter by focusing on their strengths, such as their jumping ability, quickness and ball control.
How important is communication for an outside hitter? Communication is crucial for an outside hitter to coordinate with their setter and other teammates and to ensure a wellcoordinated effort on the court.
What is the most important skill for an outside hitter? Hitting is arguably the most important skill for an outside hitter, but being adaptable and having good footwork, blocking and defensive skills are also essential for success in this position.
Selina's expertise in volleyball spans both player and coach roles, accumulated over several years of dedication to the sport. Through her website she shares her insights via a range of content. Selina's aim is to empower fellow enthusiasts with the knowledge and resources they need to excel in volleyball.
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