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Post by azvb on Sept 21, 2005 17:47:26 GMT -5
Would like to tell you about one of the highlights of my life. The year was 1976. BYU was playing University of Houston. I was anxiously awaiting my time to sub into the back row and set. Too anxious. I ran to the sub zone, called "sub", and then realized I had gone up one rotation too soon (players could call subs back then). Awaiting on the other side was Flo Hyman. She's 6'5", I'm 5'5". Had to make the sub, or it would be a red card. Smart setter on the other side sets Flo high outside. Our stupid middle blocker jumps with their middle. It's me against Flo. Yep, you guessed it. I stuffed her. She must have tried to hit straight down and let the ball drop too low (which lots of hitters do-drives me crazy). After high-fiving my teamates, the bench, the refs, the fans, the ticket takers, etc., the next set also went to Flo which she crushed over me. We smiled at each other, she said, "Nice block", and I told the story for weeks, months, years, to anyone who would listen.
Has nothing to do with swing blocking-I just love telling that story.
I am debating whether to teach my boys JV team to swing block. Went to a clinic with Carl McGown this summer. He says give it a try. He said it's hard to teach, but once they get the hang of it, it's great. Only problem is against teams that run a fast offense. Don't think I'll see too many fast offenses on the JV circuit.
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Post by hoosierman on Sept 21, 2005 17:55:08 GMT -5
What a cool story. She really did leave us far too soon.
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Post by PukaPants on Sept 21, 2005 17:58:17 GMT -5
asvb..........LOVED THE STORY! Wow.........how many people can say they stuff blocked Flo Hyman?? Okay, you've totally earned my RESPECT  BYU's Hartsock is an excellent swing blocker....last season, she touched a lot of balls. Lexi on the other hand was always late and just kinda threw up her hands lazily where as Hartsock would make every effort to contact the ball.......even when Lexi was in position she couldn't block....I better stop |
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Post by azvb on Sept 21, 2005 18:09:49 GMT -5
asvb..........LOVED THE STORY! Wow.........how many people can say they stuff blocked Flo Hyman??Okay, you've totally earned my RESPECT BYU's Hartsock is an excellent swing blocker....last season, she touched a lot of balls. Lexi on the other hand was always late and just kinda threw up her hands lazily where as Hartsock would make every effort to contact the ball.......even when Lexi was in position she couldn't block....I better stop . |
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Post by Wolfgang on Sept 21, 2005 19:18:35 GMT -5
In 1976, at the exact moment azvb stuffed Flo Hyman, my mother was changing my diapers.
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Post by azvb on Sept 21, 2005 20:18:01 GMT -5
In 1976, at the exact moment azvb stuffed Flo Hyman, my mother was changing my diapers. Ouch |
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Post by chipNdink on Sept 22, 2005 2:22:38 GMT -5
In 1976, at the exact moment azvb stuffed Flo Hyman, my mother was changing my diapers. Hmmm, if you can remember that exact moment, then either you were too old to be still wearing diapers or at least too old to have your Mom changing them for you.  |
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Post by fabulous on Sept 22, 2005 4:27:05 GMT -5
swing blocking sounds like a new rap craze -- throw your hands in the air and wave it like you just dont care
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Post by cyberVBmidwest on Sept 22, 2005 8:19:59 GMT -5
I believe that you need to have a certain level of athleticism in order to pull it off. The team I'm working with now uses it. It's like anything else, some players can execute it well (and should therefore use it), while others are better suited for static blocking (and should use that). I'm not convinced that it's the best technique for all of the players I'm currently working with, but it's not my call so I deal with it. My son was taught swing blocking in his club years and it definitely improved his blocking. Since his whole club used it, the blocking schemes worker pretty well. However, when he went into the HS season, no one else could swing block. As an outside he would swing block in the left third of the net and would static block in the middle of the net to avoid running into the middle (who was almost always late to the block or never made it over). In summary, if the all of the players can execute the swing block, it can be great. If some can and some cannot, an individual player can use it well in certain situations but could cause havoc (maybe even injuries) in others. |
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Post by cougvb on Sept 22, 2005 18:55:38 GMT -5
AZVB-What a great story. Not that I doubted you, but I asked one of your former teamates if it was true. They confirmed it, including the part about slapping everyone's hand in the gym.
And, I agree-Lexi is a Julia Roberts look-a-like. Top ten most beautiful blockers. And, I think she knows it.
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