Middle Blocker in Volleyball: Role and Movements

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Middle Blocker in Volleyball

The Middle Blocker in Volleyball is a position that plays an important role in attack, attacking midfield balls and in defense, being the basis for blocking. Follow along!

In this content we will explain what the Middle Blocker is in Volleyball, its functions, its positioning and its movement on the court. Follow along!

What is the Middle Blocker in Volleyball?

The Middle Blocker or Middle Hitter is a player specialized in Blocking and Attacking at the center of the net, which explains the “middle” in the name.

What is the role of a Middle Blocker in Volleyball?

The role of the Middle Blocker includes:

Quick attacks at the center of the net;
Being his or her team’s “center” of Block;
Draws to him or herself the first ball attacks (center of the net) to hold back the opponent’s block move and make the end of net attacks easier for his or her own team;
The Middle Blocker usually does not participate in the Service Reception;
In the back zone (back court), the Middle Blocker participates in the Service. However, he or she is substituted by the Libero when his or her team is under attack.

What are the main features of a Middle Blocker in Volleyball?

The features of a Middle Blocker include:

Good height;
Good blocking technique;
Good attacking technique, mainly with respect to first ball attacks at the center of the net.

What is the Position of the Middle Blocker in Volleyball?

The Middle Blocker must always be positioned at the center of the net in the attack zone, in the position 3 of the rotation.

As we have said, in the back zone (back court), the Middle Blocker executes the Service but does not take part in the Service Reception, when he or she is substituted by the Libero.

How does a Middle Blocker Move in Volleyball?

See how the Middle Blocker moves in the different formations and rotation positions.

Middle Blocker in the 6-0 Formation

In the 6-0 Formation the players have no specialized functions. Therefore, there is not a specialized Middle Blocker, only players that play this role according to the rotation.

Middle Blocker in the 4-2 and 5-1 Formations

In the 4-2 and 5-1 Formation, the Middle Blocker always moves in order to stand at the center of the attack zone, that is, position 3 in the rotation.

When his or her team receives a Serve, he or she moves towards the center of the net to execute the attack at the center of the net (1^st ball) or to draw the attention of the players in the opponent’s Block.

The Middle Blocker in the Back Court

When the Middle Blocker goes to the defense zone (back court), he performs the Serve and is positioned in the defense in position 6 or 5 and, in the next rotations, he will be replaced by the Libero, and will return to the court in position 4.