Tokyo (Japan)


A quick attack on the right side of the net is a peculiarity of Woman Volleyball attack system.

How it works is: the middle blockers, starting from the three meters line, begin the approach going closer to the setter, who should be in the middle of the net.
At that point, the attackers change unexpectedly the approach direction.
They turn to the right, running parallel to the net and jumping close to the antenna (the thin pole with red and white stripes fastened on the net).

Jumping with only one foot, they attack the ball in many different positions, relying on the “sliding jump”.
The hop won’t be perfectly vertical because they are taking off on only one foot whilst running. Actually the athletes will land in a different position.

Try to wear the shoes of the blocking player: you have to watch the setter’s hands to foresee their setting plan. Then you give a quick glimpse to the three attackers and, at the end, you look only at the player under your specific responsibility.
You cannot stay too close to the centre nor wide, because you risk being in the wrong position: you have to find the right compromise. Furthermore the spiker could jump higher because she can exploit the running speed.

That’s why is so common witnessing a lot of “sliding jump” in Women Volleyball: they can jump higher and hit the ball in different position depending on the hitting time.

This morning I asked to the six team the name they used to indicate this quick attack. All of them have a different word for the same scheme.

Thailand:  “Lai Yaw”
Serbia: “Korea”
Italy: “Fast”
Dominican Repubblic: “Pie” that could be “largo” (wide) or “corto” (short).
Japan: “Ido Kogeki” (Ido means movement and Kogeki attack)
Korea: "Idong Gongyuk" (as for Japanese Idong means movement and Gonkyuk attack in Korean language)

Then I know that Brazilian call this scheme “China” and North American “Slide”.

Why Serbia won: although the Serbian team started the match slow-moving, Thailand team didn’t’ seem dangerous. In the second games Terzic’s players made too many errors (mostly serving) losing confidence. On the other hand Thailand girls enhanced highly their game level relying on a excellent passing and quick attack. At the very end of fourth set, several Serbian digs were crucial: the set finished 26-24 and Thailand wasted a great chance to last longer the match.

Why Italy won: Italian team made very few errors during the three straight set match. Piccinini replaced Secolo in starting line up. Barbolini is running a planned turnover because of saving energy for the crucial matches. Dominican Republic making easier the Italian victory, playing poorly technically and emotionally.

Why Japan won: In a very typical match among Asiatic squads, the rallies were long and struggled. In this part of the Earth, the teams are much more talented in back row fundamentals than blocking or attacking. Thus, the four sets match was quite long due to the mutual defense aptitude. Yanagimoto’s team (Japan) could count on three or four good spikers. Chul Lee Jung (Korea’s coach) have to rely on Kim Yeon-Kong, excellent spiker without help.


Bye bye andrea zorzi