Attacking the Rotation Defense
Posted on Dec 09, 2007 under Technical Instruction |All defenses have their strengths and weaknesses. Coaches choose their defensive schemes based on the abilities of their own athletes and the offensive tendencies of the opposition. Playing a rotation defense denies the offense from tipping directly over the outside blocker, while also defending the line with a digger. However, as with any defense, the rotation defense has its weaknesses to attack.
Hard Angle
The rotation defense places a lot of pressure on the off-blocker to dig the hard angle shot. The off-blocker (left front in the diagram) must pull off the net and handle all shots inside the block.
Tip Inside the Middle Blocker
With the right back responsible for the tip, tipping along the net, inside the middle blocker, forces her (right back) to make a long move to the ball. The other individual who can play the ball is the left front, who is working to get deep and play the hard angle shot. This shot can be very effective when the outside hitter has an established double block or in transition, when the defense is on their heels.
High Seam
Attacking to zone 6 of the court is easy when the block is late to close and the attacker can hit the ball between the hands of the blockers. It is obviously more difficult when the block is closed, but a talented player can hit a shot over the blockers into the same area. Often teams will run a rotation defense when the outside blockers (mostly setters) are small. Hitters often try to bang over the short blocker and make mistakes (hit out or into the small blocker).
A smarter shot is to hit a deep shot over the small blocker, but to zone 6, rather than zone 1. This forces the line digger to dig behind where she is moving.
The rotation defense has its strengths and can frustrate many hitters. As a coach it is your job to give your attackers the knowledge and skills to beat any defense. Scouting reports and repetitions against this defensive alignment will give them the confidence they need to beat the opposition.
