Short characterization SERBIA

PLAYERS		STARTING SIX - SUBSTITUTES	RANKING 2000 - 2008
1	KOVACEVIC, Nikola		OG 2000	1
4	JANIC, Bojan
5	PETKOVIC, Vlado		WCH 2002	4
6	TERZIC, Milos
7	SATNKOVIC, Dragan		WC 2003	3
8	SAMARDZIC, Marko (L)
9	GRBIC, Nikola		OG 2004	5
10	NIKIC, Milos
12	RASIC, Milan		WCH 2006	4
14	MILJKOVIC, Ivan
15	STAROVIC, Sasa		WC 2007	-
17	PETROVIC, Borislav
18	PODRASCANIN, Marko		OG 2008	8
19	ROSIC, Nikola (L)

General remarks about the team and about the playing-style

• Good performance in Complex I and II.
• Athletic players proficient in ballhandling.
• Good combination of universal playing abilities and individual strength.
• Technical and tactical adaptation in playing actions.
• Very good fighting mentality.
• Good communication between setter and opposite.
• Opposite ranked nr 2 best scorers.

Serve

• Power-service, sometimes precision and tactical efficiency adapted to opponent.
• Using controlled jump services to disrupt Complex I play of opponent.
• Most players are able to do float and jump serve.
• Tactical floats to player or position (in combination with block strategy).
• Quick and efficient followthrough to first defence position.

Serve reception

• Reception is secure.
• Before ballcontact on floatservice the reception players (libero) make lots of little “tennis like” hops.
• Final hop is in forward direction, foot pointing to server, straight upper body.
• On power jump trying to speed off the ball by rolling backwards during contact.
• Three players in reception formation.
• Backline floats and jump floats: Formation 3 (the field position of the third player makes it possible to become incorporated into serve reception, but in most cases he is preparing the attacking action. Both back and front row attack).

Set/Attack - Complex I and Complex II

· Mostly jumping setting techniques: with takeoff and landing with both feet, sometimes running and take off by one foot. Easy adapting to the reception.

· Shoulders square angle to the net. Sometimes lateral set.

• One handed set used smoothly in combination with 1^st tempo attack.

• Variable distribution of the sets, mainly with short movement impulse (active wrist actions).
• Easy steps from starting position to target. During the steps moving with front or with back in the direction of the net, depending of the situation. Pivot by right or left foot.
• Quick and precise sets from nearly all the positions in the court.
• In Complex II all players are able to take over the second ball. And they do.

• Quick sets to position 4, especially when playing longline.

Block and Defense

· Trying to execute as much 3 blocks as possible.

· Middle blockers much tension on legs when opponent setter has ball.

· Very quick and agile middle blockers, securing tipballs at their own postion as well. (2nd phase block action).

· Blocking on the ball, hands outside shoulders. With very stable trunk.

· Different step combinations and blocking positions adapted to the play situation.

· Individual blocking using 1 hand technique to increase range.

· Both middle blockers (7 Stancovic and 18 Podrascanin) in top 10 ranking.

· Good communication/coordination between block and diggers.

· Diggers make backward hop just before attacker hits the ball.