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The Opposite Hitter In Volleyball: Right-Side Skills Strategies Tips

What you should know about the opposite hitter in volleyball position from blocking to attacking strategies to help you understand this versatile position.

Understanding The Opposite Hitter in Volleyball

The opposite hitter in volleyball represents one of the most dynamic and demanding positions on the court.

Combining offensive firepower with crucial defensive responsibilities, these athletes must learn a unique skill set that sets them apart from other volleyball positions.

Whether you're new to the sport or looking to enhance your right-side game, understanding the role of an opposite hitter in volleyball is essential for team success.

What Makes Opposite Hitters in Volleyball Special?

Key Responsibilities of an Opposite Hitter in Volleyball: - Primary blocker against opponent's outside hitter - Attacking from position 2 (right front) - Supporting back row defense - Running varied offensive plays - Maintaining consistent serving - Communicating effectively with setters

Unlike other hitting positions, opposite hitters face distinctive challenges that require both physical ability and strategic thinking.

Playing opposite the setter in the rotation, these athletes must excel in multiple aspects of the game.

From blocking the opponent's strongest attacker to providing offensive options from both front and back row, opposite hitters truly embody volleyball versatility.

What're Some of the Essential Skills for the Opposite Hitter in Volleyball's Success?

Key Responsibilities of an Opposite Hitter in Volleyball:

- Primary blocker against opponent's outside hitter
- Attacking from position 2 (right front)
- Supporting back row defense
- Running varied offensive plays
- Maintaining consistent serving
- Communicating effectively with setters

Is the Opposite Hitter in Volleyball Position Right for You?

The path to becoming an exceptional opposite hitter in volleyball requires specific attributes and dedication.

You might excel in this position if you:

- Enjoy hitting from the right side
- Show strong blocking abilities
- Adapt quickly to different game situations
- Maintain composure under pressure
- Communicate effectively with teammates
- Think strategically during play
- Embrace defensive responsibilities

Training Tips for Opposite Hitter Excellence

What should you do to improve your effectiveness as an opposite hitter, (besides hire me as your private training coach?)

You should focus on:

- Developing block timing and technique
- Perfecting right-side spike approach mechanics
- Enhancing back row attacking skills
- Practicing quick transition footwork
- Improving defensive positioning
- Expanding attack variety
- Mastering game situation awareness

What are the primary responsibilities of an opposite hitter in volleyball?

What Makes A Great Volleyball Opposite Hitter? - Versatile attacking skills from the right side utilizing the ability to attack balls in front of the setter as well as behind the setter - Ability to hit different types of sets like quick sets behind the setter, second tempo sets like a front two or push two or a "red" close to the right side antenna

Blocking the opponent's outside hitter which often is the best hitter on the opposing team that attacks from Zone 5 when they're in the front row in front of you

Two on two skinny court drill during my Breakfast Club for college players with BYU opposite hitter Kate Prior blocking and hitting left front on the far side.

Attacking from position 2 which is known as Zone 2 in the right front area located behind the setter that delivers high balls called "5s" and second tempo balls called "reds" and quick sets like "back ones"

Supporting back row defense when the opposing team's setter sets the ball to their right side hitter the right side player on defense is now an 'off-blocker' who moves to the ten foot line to play defense closer to the two active blockers in order to get tips or roll shots that get past the block and drop short in the court just behind the blockers

Running slide attacks which is a type of fast attack used by middle and right side hitters taking a running one foot 'slide' spike approach to hit a ball that's set behind the setter to Zone 2.

Providing offensive options especially when the setter runs offensive plays that uses the right side hitter as an offensive weapon or a decoy which is an important part of running the second option of most offensive strategies.

Serving consistently especially since the right side player (or the setter) are often the second server in the rotation lineup to serve which is the first opportunity to score a point.

Communicating with the setter who uses them as the important part of most quick offensive plays that depend on efficient speed, timing and location along the net.

How can you improve my effectiveness as a right side hitter?

Opposite hitters need to have a range of strategic shot selections in order to get the ball past the opposing blockers and the defenders in the backrow by mixing up your shots even though you may get faster and lower sets on the right side.

You can improve your play through:

- Block movement drills focusing on the proper footwork that's used to move laterally along the net and linearly from the net to behind the ten foot line

- Right side hitting practice helps you improve your ability to score with hard hits and well placed off speed hits to cross court and down the line areas on the opposing team's court while increasing your hitting range to hit seams and off the block when necessary

Transition speed work to cover the distance when moving from being a front row blocker in defense at the net blocking to quickly getting to behind the ten foot line before starting your spike approach to run an offensive play

Vision training exercises necessary when tracking the opposing team's offensive strategies at the net while using the Ball-Setter-Ball-Hitter eye sequence when blocking at the net

Defense positioning drills that help you understand where to set up your ready blocking position based on where you think the opposing team will run their offensive attack

Attack variety practice which gives you, the opposite hitter, the opportunity to do a lot of different hitting reps that focus on specific hitting techniques including tips behind the block, roll shots to the campfire area on the opposing team's court and deep down ball hits to the far corners of the opposing team's court

Game situation training in order to prep in practice for situations that often happen during a game at game speed like pace so you have seen and have practiced very specific situations that often happen during a match

The volleyball opposite hitter - Supports back row defense when the opposing team's setter sets the ball to their right side hitter the right side player on defense is now an 'off-blocker' who moves to the ten foot line to play defense closer to the two active blockers in order to get tips or roll shots that get past the block and drop short in the court just behind the blockers

If You're An Opposite Hitter What Skills Should You Focus On Developing

Critical skills that right side hitters that I train as clients work on include:

- Block timing and block technique along with an understanding of the timing of different types of sets you may need to block regularly

- Right side spike approach mechanics which may require faster spike approach steps or identification of what steps to take that take you in front of or behind the setter along the net

- Back row attacking so you learn how to hit the ball aggressively to score points from anywhere on the court including from behind the ten foot line

- Reading opposing setters is a blocking skill used when blockers are watching also called 'reading' the opposing team run their offense while using what we call "the Ball - the Setter - the Ball - then the Hitter" the name of the eye sequence blockers and backrow defensive players use in order to figure out and know who to block and when to block them

- Defensive positioning means knowing where to set up in your blocking ready position on the net and where to set up if you're not blocking and have to play defense

- Quick transition footwork because the right side position is closer to the setter and that area behind the setter has less space for hitters who have less time and less court to cover to get off the net and behind the ten foot line (also known as transitioning) before using their spike approach to attack a ball set to them

- Smart shot selection is important because hitting hard all the time isn't always the best game plan. Learning to mix up your shots is what smart right side hitters do to give themselves hitting options

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Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience. These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis. Sign up now!

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I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list.

Opposite Hitter In Volleyball:
Where Do You Go From Here?

Your three options are:

You can learn more about Volleybragswag shirts and accessories by visiting the Related Links below.
Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
Or visit the pages in the How to Play Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page to get started.

Check out more about positions like the volleyball opposite hitter in these pages.

Volleyball Setter Position: What Makes A Good Setter And Team Leader?
Like quarterbacks in football, the volleyball setter position requires the setter to run the offense by deciding the volleyball plays her offense will run.
The Middle Blocker Position in Volleyball Rules and Responsibilities
For the middle blocker position in volleyball what're the requirements and skills needed? Learn what the middle volleyball blocker rules and requirements are.
The Volleyball Outside Hitter: How To Be The Smart Spiker On Your Team
A volleyball outside hitter has options for scoring against opponents to score points including tipping deep or short in the court to mix up your attack hits.
Volleyball Positions: What Are The Six Volleyball Roles On The Court?
Here's an extensive breakdown of the volleyball positions on the court you can pick to specialize in.including setter, hitter, opposite, middle blocker libero.
The Middle Blocker Volleyball Position Offensive and Defensive Duties
A middle blocker is the team's primary defensive presence at the net, responsible for blocking opponent attacks and running fast and quick offensive plays.
6 Positions in Volleyball: Setter Libero Hitters Middle Blocker, D.S.
Setters, liberos, middle blockers, defensive specialists or spikers are the 6 positions in volleyball that players specialize in on varsity high school teams.
Libero Volleyball Player Responsibilities, Roles, Qualities and Rules
The libero volleyball player has specific qualities and specialized responsibilities in their defensive roles along with special rules created just for them.
Being A Left Handed Volleyball Setter in the Front Row Has Advantages
For a left handed volleyball setter who receives a good pass, the ball will get to your dominant hand first, which means that you can dump the ball faster.
The Setter In Volleyball: How and Why You Set The Ball To Your Hitters
Be a setter in volleyball who knows how to run an effective offensive attack with two or three front row hitters to beat the block and opposing defense.
Setters Volleyball Player Roles, Rules and Responsibilities Explained
Setters volleyball player responsibilities are to run her team's offense and they call the plays hitters run against blockers like a quarterback in football.
The Setter Volleyball Position Five Traits Good Setters Always Have
The player in the setter volleyball position gets to every second ball in a rally to set that ball to a hitter who attacks it for a point or sideout.
Left Side Hitter Volleyball Mastery Of The Outside Hitting Position
Discover what makes the left side hitter volleyball position essential with responsibilities, training tips and strategies for mastering this dynamic position.
A Middle Blocker in Volleyball What Makes A Good Middle In Volleyball?
A middle blocker in volleyball needs to have good upper body technique including hand positioning, shoulder penetration and full arm extension over the net.
Volleyball Positions and Rotations 3 Front Row Positions in Volleyball
Learn the descriptions and what the different volleyball positions and rotations work for each of these front row player positions.
Volleyball Positions on the Court: Backrow Rotations in Volleyball
Learn the descriptions and the different backrow volleyball positions on the court and how the rotation in volleyball works in the backrow player positions.

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From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Honored At UTK Champions Weekend

Lady Vol volleyball legend and record holder Coach April Chapple a University of Tennessee, Knoxville Hall of Fame Inductee, 3-time All American, 3-time SEC Champion, SEC Tournament MVP, 2-time All SEC Team is celebrated with her 1984 SEC champion teammates at Neyland Stadium during Champions Weekend on November 1-2, 2024.

utkaprilcollegepiconneylandstadiumvideoboard

Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee, Coach April Chapple is

the first First Round Draft Pick for the first American pro indoor women's league
named to the first First Team All-Pro team for Major League Volleyball in USA volleyball history
former USA National team member
one of the few American women players named as an Italian Pro League D-I Championship Finalist, Italian Cup Finalist and Cup of Cups Tournament Finalist

April Chapple The first First round Draft Pick For Major League Volleyball the first American Women's Pro League Honored At Athlete Unlimited Pro Volleyball Match

Coach April's 2025 Private and Semi private Volleyball Training

Pre-Registration now open for 2025 Private and Semiprivate Training Sessions with Coach April . Get prepared for club tryouts or train with me during club season!

Email now for information on semiprivate or private indoor skills, individual or small group training volleyball classes and my Breakfast Club for College Players training for 2025.

Invest in your improvement while preepping for your next level and college goals while working hard and training smart.

Email me right now to register or for more information.

info@improveyourvolley.com

Serving slang is not just about individual techniques; it also relates to overall game strategy. A coach might instruct a player to serve a "short serve" or a "deep serve" to target specific areas of the opponent's court or exploit weaknesses in their serve receive formation.

Ari, my private training client and I are working specifically on serving on jump float cross court serves ...short to Zone 2

There's so much we work on to get to this point where she can contact the ball with

the same toss height and same toss location
the same armswing speed
the same timing for when her serving hand contacts the ball
the middle of the hand contacting the middle of the ball every single time
getting use to watching her serving hand contact the ball at the highest point of her jump ...before she starts to land
and finally contacting the ball in the precise spot on the ball so it goes where the coach wants the player to put it so in this case ..a short serve in the farthest short right corner on the court also called Zone 2.

kamiminerpac12setteroftheyearformercoachaprilchappleprivateclient3years

Tommi Stockham All Big West Conference sophomore former Coach April Chapple private client 3 years

katepriorallwestcoastconferencebyufreshmanformercoachaprilchappleprivateclient3years

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Dear Vegas Parent

Read my open letter to Las Vegas Jr high/high school volleyball parents about my predictions on individual and small group volleyball training trends for 2019/2021