10 Hitting Tactics Short Volleyball Players Use Against Big Blockers 

These are 10 hitting tactics that short volleyball players, can rely on hit against and sideout and score against teams with big blockers in the front row.  


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šŸ“ YOUR SHORT HITTER ROADMAP

This is your starting point. After reading this guide, explore these specialized deep-dives based on what you want to master:

šŸ‘‡ Keep reading to learn the 5 core strategies, then jump to any deep-dive above.


These hitting strategies are things to work on during your practices that will help you improve your scoring abilities when hitting in the front row.

The good news is that alot of these tactics give shorter hitters options to use to score when they face two big blockers at the net. 

  • Practice your roll shots that go over the block to the middle of the court. 
Hitting Tactics: Practice your roll shots that go over the block to the middle of the court.


This spot is often out of the opposing defenders reach.

I have plenty of video of Vegas players during rallies this past season continuously tipping the ball behind the opposing block, where the defender is waiting to pick up balls. 

You can end rallies alot faster if you learn to make points by aiming for the middle of the court with off speed or roll shots.

By doing this regularly, especially when your team is in serve receive and you need to sideout,  you could see plenty of playing time as well as score a ton of points. 



"The majority of the best volleyball players in the world right now are 6’4″ or very near!  Speed is something that a smaller player can bring to help offset any disadvantage there might be. That is what I try to do offensively… hit as fast a ball as possible to maximize my chances of success.

It would be silly to listen to any coach that says you can’t do it!"

Volleyball Coach Quotes From Olympic Gold Medalist Reid Priddy To USA Development Coach John Kessel

from the USA Volleyball article "Am I Too Short To Play Volleyball" by USA Volleyball Coach John Kessel


  • Hit to the deep corners of the opposing court 
Hitting Tactics: Hit to the deep corners of the opposing court


In long rallies, quite often the defensive players on the opposing side usually start creeping up in the court towards the ten foot line, leaving lots of area in the back row wide open.


10 Volleyball Hitting Tactics Short Volleyball Players Use Against Big Blockers 


  • Remember Zones 1 and 6 are usually wide open in long rallies so just hit high and aim long to the back corners to score a point or sideout.
Hitting Tactics: Remember Zone 1 and Zone 6 are open during long rallies


You can be any height to hit high and deep. This takes practice so learn to do it when you have scrimmages and competitions in practices.


  • Learn to hit high, contacting the ball at its highest height 
Hitting Tactics: Learn to hit high, contacting the ball at its highest height


You may have to tell your setter to set you a bit further off the net to stay behind the ball and still be able to see the court and the block while hitting deep and long. 


  • Hit a lot of ā€œhigh, long, and deepā€ hitting reps so your body and arms learn and memorize what strength and ball speed it takes to get the ball to fall in these deep corners
Hitting Tactics: Learn to hit deep shots to far corners of the court


Playing doubles, triples, and four against four in practice is a good time to do this. 


10 Volleyball Hitting Tactics Short Volleyball Players Use Against Big Blockers


  • Hit the imperfect set, not just the perfect set.

Learn to hit those balls that the op- posing team and everybody in the gym thinks you are going to tip or roll shot over. 

Hitting Tactics: Hit the Imperfect set not just the perfect one


That means the ball that is above the height of the net but a little outside or a little inside or a little off the net.

Learn to be comfortable, with doing the uncomfortable.

Want to become a fearless and respected hitter? Then get good at hitting the imperfect sets. 


  • Attack high free balls over to the opposing team and reduce the number of easy free balls you give them. 
Hitting Tactics: Attack high free balls, be aggressive.


Be aggressive.

Think about attacking the ball first when it is high enough to make a decent approach.

If it’s coming at you fast, then pass the free ball deep, deep to Zone 1 to force the opposing setter to pass the first ball.

But if you can take an approach, then take the approach and send a more powerful ball over the net. 

Don’t give the opposing team anything free or easy if you can help it.

Your job is to make it difficult for them to score points on you, not make it easy for them. 


10 Volleyball Hitting Tactics Short Volleyball Players Use Against Big Blockers


  • Against a tall block in front of you, imagine the blocker’s arm closest to the antenna has a bull’s eye with your name on it, where you take aim at as a target
Hitting Tactics: Against a tall block aim for the outside arm


Follow through with your armswing so the ball travels off the blocker’s arm and back outside of the sideline.

Point for you. Get good at performing this hitting tactic. 


  • Soft tip into the block on purpose
Hitting Tactics: Soft tip into the block on purpose to force a replay


Practice aiming the tip into the opposing blocker’s wrists or upper forearms so the ball will bounce off high and back into your court if you get a trap set.

Your teammates who are covering you (they better be) will have a chance to replay the ball and run an offensive play again. 


10 Volleyball Hitting Tactics Short Volleyball Players Use Against Big Blockers 


  • Save broken plays by having the courage to aim the ball for the block 
Hitting Tactics: Save a broken play by tipping into the block to force a replay


Increase your skill at this play and you will learn a trick that elite players use to give themselves another opportunity to attack the ball. 



šŸ“ YOUR SHORT HITTER ROADMAP

This is your starting point. After reading this guide, explore these specialized deep-dives based on what you want to master:

šŸ‘‡ Keep reading to learn the 5 core strategies, then jump to any deep-dive above.


šŸ“š EXPLORE THE FULL SHORT HITTER RESOURCE LIBRARY

Dive deeper into any topic that interests you:

šŸŽÆ TACTICAL BREAKDOWN

10 Hitting Tactics Short Volleyball Players Use Against Big Blockers
Get 10 specific, actionable tactics for short hitters with detailed explanations and practice drills.

⚔ SPIKE VARIATIONS

Short Volleyball Player Spikes: Score Points Against Big Blockers
Master tips, roll shots, and cut shots—the secret weapons for short players.

šŸ’Ŗ COMPREHENSIVE SKILLS

Essential Skills for a Hitter in Volleyball: Tips For Short Attackers
Build complete attacking skills with special attention to jump training for shorter players.

šŸ FUNDAMENTALS

Volleyball Tips on Playing Better and Improving Your Basic Skills
Strengthen your foundation across all 6 volleyball skills (passing, setting, spiking, digging, blocking, serving).

šŸ“‹ COMPLETE TRAINING SYSTEMS

Ready for structured, step-by-step training? Browse all our spiking checklists:
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Smart Tactics for Short Volleyball Players Playing Volleyball: 
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