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Playing The Opposite Position in Volleyball: Tips, Skills and Strategy
Everything you need to know about playing the opposite position in volleyball discover essential tips, skills, and strategies for mastering this crucial role.
The opposite position in volleyball, also known as the opposite or right side hitter, embodies a unique combination of power, precision, and adaptability – qualities that mirror the fascinating koala bear in nature.
The opposite position in volleyball, also known as the right side hitter, embodies a unique combination of power, precision, and adaptability – qualities that mirror the fascinating koala bear in nature.
While these marsupials might appear gentle, they possess remarkable strength and strategic thinking, just like successful right side hitters who must balance multiple responsibilities on the court.
Whether you're an experienced right side hitter or just beginning to explore this dynamic position, understanding its unique demands is crucial for success.
Below, I've compiled essential information about the opposition position in volleyball, explaining why the koala serves as the perfect spirit animal for these versatile volleyball athletes.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Opposite Position in Volleyball
Learn More About Right Side Hitters in Volleyball
1. What is the opposite position in volleyball?
A right side hitter, also known as an opposite hitter, plays opposite the setter in the rotation.
They must excel in both attacking and blocking, particularly against the opponent's outside hitter.
This position requires a unique combination of offensive power and defensive skills, making it one of volleyball's most versatile positions.
2. What makes a great right side hitter?
Essential qualities include:
- Strong blocking abilities against outside hitters
- 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
- Quick transition from block to attack which makes the opposite hitter a 'quick change artist'
- Strong court awareness and reading skills needed because you have less time to use your spike approach to get up in the air to attack most sets than the left side hitter does
- Comfortable hitting with varying tempos which is why the oppo is a very versatile attacker with good hitting and blocking technique
- Excellent defensive capabilities whether blocking at the net or having to play defense near the ten foot line
3. What are the primary responsibilities of the opposite position in volleyball?
Key duties include:
- 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
- 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
4. Why did you choose a koala to represent right side hitters?
I selected the koala bear because it perfectly represents the right side hitter's nature: deceptively powerful, strategically minded, and adaptable to different situations.
Like koalas who appear gentle but possess incredible strength, right side hitters often surprise opponents with their versatile abilities.
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
6. How can I improve my effectiveness as a right side hitter?
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
7. What makes the opposite position in volleyball unique?
Some of the distinctive characteristics and aspects include:
- Hitting from the right side of the court which has less space to operate in so hitting timing and spike approach location is different for a right hander on the right side than it is for a left hander on the right side
- Primary blocker against outside hitters on the opposing team who needs to be smart and knowledgeable about blocking the best hitters on the opposing team who have different types of arm swing techniques and arm swing speeds
- Need for strategic shot selection in order to beat the opposing block and defenders mixing up your shots often with faster lower sets
- Versatile offensive responsibilities which often require right side hitters to learn to hit balls in front of the setter and behind the setter during various offensive plays
- Critical defensive role because of the types of offensive plays the opposing team may run in front of the right side blocker responsible for tracking and stopping those offensive attacks regardless of speed and location
- Leadership through consistent play is a learning how to lead by action and point-scoring ability both as an attacker and a blocker
8. How do I know if opposite position in volleyball is the right position for me?
I think you should consider the opposite position in volleyball if you are:
- Comfortable hitting from the right side
- Have strong blocking abilities
- Adapt well to different situations
- Maintain calm under pressure
- Communicate effectively
- Think strategically
- Enjoy defensive responsibilities
and one last one ...if you're a left handed hitter I think you should seriously consider playing on the right side.
9. What are common challenges right side hitters face?
Typical challenges include:
- Hitting against strong blocks
- Quick transition requirements
- Complex defensive responsibilities
- Varied set locations
- Pressure situations
- Multiple role expectations
- Consistent performance demands
10. How can wearing position-specific gear improve right side hitter performance?
I created my koala bear shirt collection in order to help oppos by:
- Building confidence through identity
- Reinforcing strategic mindset
- Promoting adaptability
- Creating team unity
- Maintaining focus
- Inspiring versatile play
- Supporting position pride
If you haven't found your inspirational spirit animal on this page then be sure to find yours among the Volleybragswag collection of beast competitors in the list below
- panda t-shirt lovers
- zebra shirt admirers
- alligator shirt lovers
- lion shirt fans
- wolf shirt friends
- gorilla shirt collectors
- owl shirts for friends
- raccoon shirt for setters
Koala Bear Shirt Designs For Volleyball Players:
I created the signature Volleybragswag ball while working with a designer who originally started out by just creating a word logo.
I thought the word logo by itself was unremarkable and boring.
But a word ball...now that's one of the most interesting volleyball t shirt ideas created for a logo.
The ball is our trademarked logo and appears in all of our Volleybragswag volleyball t shirt ideas and designs in one way or another.
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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.
Koala Bear Shirt Ideas:
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Learn the descriptions and what the different volleyball positions and rotations work for each of these front row player positions.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
- 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
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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.
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