What Are The Volleyball Positions: Middle blocker/Hitter
Published on: 1/6/25
Last Updated: 1/6/25
Author: Thalia A. U.
The Middle Blocker/Hitter Explained for Beginners
Volleyball positions are an important part of enhancing your knowledge of the sport as each one has its own strengths and sets of challenges. That’s why I have created a blog series where I explain each position within our sport from the fundamentals, to players you can learn from.
This third post in the series is all about the Middle Blocker/Hitter position! Parts one and two cover the setter and libero, so be sure to check those posts out.
In this post we will go over:
1) What is the MB/MH position + What are they responsible for?
2) What sets apart a great MB/MH from a phenomenal MB/MH?
3) Coach T’s Middle Blockers/Hitters to watch
1) WHAT IS THE Middle POSITION & WHAT DO THEY DO?
The middle blocker/middle hitter is a position with its own unique set of challenges and responsibilities. As a former setter I understand how much my middle’s had to work to block, transition, watch the ball, cover, stay out of my way… the list goes on and on.
A Middle is considered to be apart of defense and offense, but mainly defense first. The middle is responsible for their teams first line of defense on their opponents attack with their block (hence the name “middle blocker” while also being available to hit their own attack off of a setters set (hence the alternative name “middle hitter”). This allots the middle to generate stats in multiple areas.
Similar to a forward in basketball who aims to block their opponents shots at the net and or make it more difficult to get a shot by getting their hands up on defense, the middle also aims to block their opponents attacks and or create a big obstacle with their hands/arms up.
The Middle is ideally one of the tallest players on the team as their height is an advantage when creating a block on defense at the net. Think about it: the taller a middle blocker, the bigger the block their opponent has to work around when attempting to hit.
The middle also has the most blocking opportunities as they set up a block in the middle (solo, or accompanied by the outside/setter), on the right side (with their setter/opposite), and the left side (with their outside hitters).
So if you’re a tall athlete who is nervous to have to pass in the back-row for defense, the middle position might be the perfect fit for you!
2) WHAT SETS APART A GREAT Middle, FROM A PHENOMENAL Middle?
A phenomenal Middle typically has these attributes:
Athletic
Strategic Decision making/Athletic Intelligence
Body Awareness
Great timing
Communication Skills
Athletic: Being athletic for any sports position is a no-brainer, but as a middle blocker/hitter this position requires the athlete to be very athletic. Since Middles are typically some of the tallest players on the team that can usually accompany awkwardness within the athletes connection to their mind and body without having the proper training. So, being athletic (This can be taught!) is essential for a position which requires constant movement that is intentional and efficient.
Strategic Decision making/Athletic Intelligence: Since the Middle has unlimited opportunities to aim their attack on more areas on the court than their OH or OPP teammates, a great middle will utilize those opportunities by seeing an open area on the court and placing the ball there for an easy point earned. Additionally, a smart middle knows when to swing fully, when to place it, etc. Athletic intelligence in the middle position is what sets apart great middles from phenomenal middles.
Body Awareness: Since the position is in the middle of the court and front-row it involves a lot of head movements, moving out of the way, analyzing where you need to be in a split second, etc. Having awareness of your surroundings, the volleyball, and your own body is an essential part of this middle position.
Great timing: This point can be made for any of the hitters (OH, OPP, MH) as timing of a swing, and block can make or break important plays in our sport. Having the correct timing is an essential skill all hitters and blockers need to have.
Communication skills: This point can also be mentioned for all positions on the volleyball court as efficient communication can make or break a volleyball teams success.
3) COACH T’S MiddleS TO WATCH
The best way to get better at volleyball can be done not only by getting repetitions yourself but also by watching the sport.
Here are the Middle blockers/hitters that I currently watch and learn from:
Taylor Averill: Middle Blocker/hitter for the men’s national USA Volleyball team.
Taylor Trammell: Women’s Penn State volleyball middle hitter/blocker
Cara Cresse: Women’s Louisville Volleyball middle hitter/blocker
Bre Kelley: Women’s PITT volleyball middle hitter/blocker
Agnieszka Korneluk: Woman’s National Polish volleyball team middle hitter/blocker
IN CONCLUSION…
There is a lot that goes into volleyball, but learning the positions is a great place to start when looking for improve your knowledge of the game.
If you are looking to become a middle I strongly suggest you do your “homework” by watching the middles I mentioned or finding your personal favorite middles to learn from. This alongside a lot of repetitions and coaching will help you improve tremendously in your position.
Be sure to check out the YouTube video linked at the top to get extra information and tips!
Hope to see you in a future blog post!
-Coach T