Thread by @blakjackal, Why it is not so weird that Hibarida spared a spot for [...]

Why it is not so weird that Hibarida spared a spot for an extra libero instead of a middle blocker: a little analysis on the japanese national team roster

[feel free to repost/use the edit below]

[just credit me please bc i'm not an artist and drawing Aran's jersey was hard]

Before I start, I'd like to explain the title a little bit:

According to the current rules, the Olympics allow each NT to take only 12 players to the games. With this reduced number of spots, coaches usually lineup 2 setters, 4 outside hitters, 2 opposites, 1 libero and 3 MBs.

It's important to note that there's no rule for this. Volleyball is strict regarding to the rotations but not so much about player positions actually, so the different positions that we see today are more like a convention everyone abides to than an actual rule.

And it's pretty much the same with the number of players of each position on Olympic teams. Basically, liberos are less likely to get injured in a game because since they don't have to jump for blocking, spiking and setting (most times), they're not so exposed to impact.

That's why Olympic teams only go with one libero, and then the last opening goes to a 3rd middle blocker.

Besides the possibility of one of the active MBs getting injured and having to be replaced by another MB, it's always important to have another MB in the bench so,

in the occasion of playing against a team that's more powerful, you have the resources to sub out one of the wing spikers (OHs or OPs) in the net for an extra MB to raise the block level and thus increase the chance of stuffing strong hitters.

Whereas with liberos... well. You can always have one of your OHs wear the off jersey and play libero (the liberos are flagged to the referees just before each game starts). Or play without a libero altogether.

So when I first saw the Haikyuu NT roster with only 2 MBs and 2 liberos I was like WHAT THE FUCK ARE THESE PEOPLE DOING??!!!

(Pause for drama)

But then I recalled: "Ahhhh, Hinata of course. The guy used to be a middle blocker DUHHH"

So yeah. It's obvious. Call me dumb or whatever.

But then. This small realization has unleashed the biggest tactical brainrot possible in me, and I kept realizing a bunch of stuff that brought me to the conclusion that this NT is actually quite strong tactically, because of the

all-rounder nature of all its players, but mostly, Hinata.

And now, finally getting to the point, that's what I'd like to share.

Both Gao and Hyakuzawa used to be wing spikers before they switched to MB (most likely bc of height), the former was an OP and the latter, an OH.

With Hinata playing OP, whether it's besides Hyakuzawa or Gao in the rotation, that tactical substitution I mentioned some tweets above - with an extra MB coming to raise the block level and strength - IS IN PLACE AT ALL TIMES HINATA IS IN THE FRONT ROW

WHILST KEEPING THE OFFENSIVE POWER OF THE OP AND MB IN A POTENTIAL COUNTERATTACK

Absolutely mindblowing

And naturally, with Ushijiwaka playing OP instead of Hinata, Hinata would be available to sub in for the tactical substitution at any given moment, ensuring a strong block whenever the blockers need backup too.

Besides this one simple tactical sub I mentioned, there's another

one in which Hinata could be useful for the team in the same way: the 5x1 inversion

This inversion happens when the OP is up to serve and the setter is in the front row, meaning there are only 2 spikers available in the net for counterattacks in case the receiving team doesn't

score a sideout.

The setter in the bench subs in for the OP and goes to serve, and the OP in the bench subs in for the setter in the net, reversing the rotation and giving the setter that's now in the back row 3 options of spikers on the net for quick counter attack.

Now visualize: Ushijima is serving. The setter is in the front row. Japan can't afford to lose the point. So Hibarida subs out Ushijima for the setter that's benched atm, and Hinata goes to the net.

By doing so he 1) immediately increases the number of spikers for counterattacks

2) gives the setter the option of 2 QUICKS (the usual MB and Hinata too, because he does that) in a potential counter

and 3) bulks up the block with a former MB - which could work to either ensure the counterattack with a soft block OR end the point right there with a kill block

ABSOLUTELY MINDBLOWING 2

And aside from all the tactical subs, the possibility of having Hinata take over the role of MB still exists in the unfortunate occasion of either Hyakuzawa or Gao getting injured.

So basically, Hinata is not only a proficient OP, but also a strong and importat support for the MBs, as it all leads me to believe. And that is what gives Hibarida room to VERY comfortably draft 2 liberos for the Olympic NT, instead of 3 MBs.

All in all, it's a HUGE responsibility and I am 100% sure that Hibarida wouldn't go with this extremely bold option if Hinata himself hadn't agree to take the challenge on, I must say.

Now to wrap it all up, all the Yaku and Komori stans say "thank you" to Hinata for his service

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