Ep 44: Why Middles Matter With LJ Brothers
About this episode
The episode explores the unique role of middle blockers in volleyball and offers insights into the recruiting process from a coach's perspective.
What's volleyball life really like for the players in the middle? In this episode, the second in Bump, Set, Mic's planned series of episodes on each on-court position, Chuck and Brian sit down with college, TNT, and high school coach LJ Brothers to talk about his volleyball journey, unpack what makes middle blockers great, and share tips on how families can navigate the recruiting process. They cover the realities of playing middle at a high level, what college staffs truly look for, how to build effective highlight reels, and smart strategies for showcases, Nationals, and overall long‑term development. Segment 1 – The Modern Middle Blocker: Role, Mindset, and Development Chuck and Brian open with LJ's journey into volleyball and quickly pivot into what makes the middle blocker position unique today. LJ explains why middle is both exciting and demanding, pushing past the stereotype of "just be tall and hit hard" and into reading hitters, moving efficiently, and influencing the game on every rally. The conversation gives players and coaches a framework for how to think about the physical and mental skills involved in middle play. Segment 2 – The Recruiting Lens: What Coaches Want…
More episodes of Bump, Set, Mic...The Junior Club Volleyball Podcast by TNT
- Ep 45: From Player to Coach: Emily Poole's Volleyball Journey
- Ep 43: Should I Stay or Should I go: Quitting Mid-Season & Choosing Your Next Club
- Ep 42: The Libero: What It Is, Why It Matters, and What Coaches Actually Want
- Ep 41: The Truth About Sandbagging: Medals vs. Development
- Ep 40: The Mental Side of the Game With Stephanie Hutchman and Annemarie Tester
- Ep 39: Serious. Fun. From The Armory to MLK Weekend
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