Post by GoBigRed on Dec 3, 2004 7:25:42 GMT -5
Skinner schemes the Huskers' vaunted blocking game
BY TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star
Each time that Nebraska leaves an opposing hitter dizzied by repeatedly blocking shots, think of the spinning heads on the tape machines in Craig Skinner's office.
Skinner, Nebraska's fifth-year assistant coach, is in many ways the foundation of what annually ranks as the top blocking team in the nation.
Before the volleyball is even served, before the pass is executed or the set made, Skinner can tell you not only who is going to get the attack, but also where on the court they're likely to hit it.
He knows from preparation, from tirelessly charting the tendencies of both setters and hitters.
A novel approach? Not really. Scouting the opponent has long been a part of coaching.
But in volleyball, Skinner is the Lewis and Clark of blocking. He's able to discover things no one else has.
"Almost all the time, he is right on," said NU freshman Tracy Stalls. "He gives us great calls."
Nebraska has led the country in blocking three of the past four years, and overwhelming opponents at the net might be the longest-standing tradition left in Husker Nation.
Every team needs an identity, and Nebraska volleyball's is, in many ways, the stuff block.
It's a skill Nebraska works at longer and harder than anyone in the country. Why it's not a priority everywhere is a tough question.
After all, blocking is the first line of defense, head coach John Cook says. It's the only action in sports where someone's attempt at scoring a point can be instantaneously turned into a point for the opposing team.
"Volleyball could be the biggest momentum-shift game there is," Skinner said, "and blocking is the best way to do that."
Nebraska centers almost everything on blocking. From the tall, long-limbed players the Huskers recruit to how the NU Coliseum fans salute them.
Vision is huge for a blocker, her eyes following the ball to the setter, the set to the attacker and then finally isolating on the hitter. All of that occurs in only seconds.
Footwork and hand position, too, are critical. Arms that are three inches off the net can be used by a smart hitter to carom the ball out of bounds. Hands that are still and tight on the net produce blocks.
NU senior Melissa Elmer leads the nation in blocking, averaging just under two blocks a game. In Big 12 matches, she had one fewer block than the entire Iowa State team this season.
Natural ability plays a part in her success, but training and preparation are the foremost reasons for her production.
Opponent's tendencies are spelled out to the Huskers two or three times before a big match. They'll go over it in an on-court walk-through, be able to watch video and read a written scouting report.
Before every rally, they're given a blocking call by Skinner that tells them which hitter to focus on. Against Texas, that was primarily Mira Topic, the Big 12's player of the year.
Topic hit .315 while averaging 5.64 kills per game this season. But in last week's loss to the Huskers, the All-American came up with just six kills and was blocked five times.
The scouting report on Topic: If the ball is set outside the sideline, she's going to rip it crosscourt. But if it's inside, she's going to go down the line.
Skinner based his conclusion after charting more than 100 of Topic's 1,100 attacks.
"Sometimes we're wrong, but most of the time we're pretty accurate," Skinner said.
BY TODD HENRICHS / Lincoln Journal Star
Each time that Nebraska leaves an opposing hitter dizzied by repeatedly blocking shots, think of the spinning heads on the tape machines in Craig Skinner's office.
Skinner, Nebraska's fifth-year assistant coach, is in many ways the foundation of what annually ranks as the top blocking team in the nation.
Before the volleyball is even served, before the pass is executed or the set made, Skinner can tell you not only who is going to get the attack, but also where on the court they're likely to hit it.
He knows from preparation, from tirelessly charting the tendencies of both setters and hitters.
A novel approach? Not really. Scouting the opponent has long been a part of coaching.
But in volleyball, Skinner is the Lewis and Clark of blocking. He's able to discover things no one else has.
"Almost all the time, he is right on," said NU freshman Tracy Stalls. "He gives us great calls."
Nebraska has led the country in blocking three of the past four years, and overwhelming opponents at the net might be the longest-standing tradition left in Husker Nation.
Every team needs an identity, and Nebraska volleyball's is, in many ways, the stuff block.
It's a skill Nebraska works at longer and harder than anyone in the country. Why it's not a priority everywhere is a tough question.
After all, blocking is the first line of defense, head coach John Cook says. It's the only action in sports where someone's attempt at scoring a point can be instantaneously turned into a point for the opposing team.
"Volleyball could be the biggest momentum-shift game there is," Skinner said, "and blocking is the best way to do that."
Nebraska centers almost everything on blocking. From the tall, long-limbed players the Huskers recruit to how the NU Coliseum fans salute them.
Vision is huge for a blocker, her eyes following the ball to the setter, the set to the attacker and then finally isolating on the hitter. All of that occurs in only seconds.
Footwork and hand position, too, are critical. Arms that are three inches off the net can be used by a smart hitter to carom the ball out of bounds. Hands that are still and tight on the net produce blocks.
NU senior Melissa Elmer leads the nation in blocking, averaging just under two blocks a game. In Big 12 matches, she had one fewer block than the entire Iowa State team this season.
Natural ability plays a part in her success, but training and preparation are the foremost reasons for her production.
Opponent's tendencies are spelled out to the Huskers two or three times before a big match. They'll go over it in an on-court walk-through, be able to watch video and read a written scouting report.
Before every rally, they're given a blocking call by Skinner that tells them which hitter to focus on. Against Texas, that was primarily Mira Topic, the Big 12's player of the year.
Topic hit .315 while averaging 5.64 kills per game this season. But in last week's loss to the Huskers, the All-American came up with just six kills and was blocked five times.
The scouting report on Topic: If the ball is set outside the sideline, she's going to rip it crosscourt. But if it's inside, she's going to go down the line.
Skinner based his conclusion after charting more than 100 of Topic's 1,100 attacks.
"Sometimes we're wrong, but most of the time we're pretty accurate," Skinner said.
