Dutch pair Christian Varenhorst/Jasper Bouter has five FIVB World Tour top 10 finishes under its belt in 2018 and placed fifth at the CEV European Beach Championships last week.
A big reason for their success is the blocking of the 6-foot-11 Varenhorst. At the CEV Championships, the 28-year old discussed his the skill.
“It is quite a mental game: trying to anticipate what the opponent is going to do, what am I showing?…” Varenhorst said. “Sometimes I step left and block right or the other way around. Sometimes you step early and block late. There are all kinds of different tricks. For every blocker there is a different strategy. I am just one blocker trying to figure out a new way to block these attackers.”
He went on to say that teamwork with his partner is a big factor in his blocking.
“For certain a shot can be a blocking tactic, so my defender can dig the ball, but also my defender can help me get a block,” Varenhorst said. “It is a cooperation between these two.”
Next up for Varenhorst/Bouter is the Vienna Major from July 30 to August 5. The duo finished ninth in Gstaad on July 15 and 25th at the Fort Lauderdale Major in March.
Varenhorst finished fourth at the World Championships in Vienna last August alongside Maarten van Garderen after the pair earned a wildcard entry.
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