A reader named Stuart posed the following scenario:
We had a pretty good high school season in 2021. Took a tough loss in the Regional final. Lost both senior OH’s and our Setter to graduation. The MH/MB are twins and really good athletes. A strong college recruited OP/R. We have an OH that might be able to step in. We for sure will need a new setter. The question is do we move a MH to the OH? Do we move the OP/R to the middle? Do we simply look for new blood in the OH position? Suggestions?
Ultimately, in a performance environment (meaning one where winning is the objective) you have to put the best combination of players you can on the court. In this scenario there are too many open questions to judge player position changes just yet.
- Who is the new Setter and what do they have for capabilities?
- Do you have anyone else who can play the Middle or OPP/RS?
- How strong are the OH options available?
Without knowing those things – and probably some other stuff too – it’s nearly impossible to judge yet whether positional changes make sense.
That said, if I have an off-season training opportunity, I cross-train my players. Get those Middles passing, playing defense, and swinging on the pin. Give that OPP time in the middle, and potentially even at OH and Setter, if those are reasonable options. This way you can really see what they’re capable of, and if you do eventually move them you’ve already started the transition process.
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