In the first installment of by the position, we took a look at the Pivot, sometimes referred to as the No.1 position, and what qualities pertain to the position.
The No. 2 player can be called a number of different things depending on the language your team uses. In the 1 through 5 scheme, the No. 2 position is the second blocker on the floor, just behind the Pivot. Some teams may use the term 1st blocker, designating the pivot as a position superlative to the other blockers. The blocker playing behind the pivot thus becomes the first blocker.
Today, we’ll go down the roster and look at the No. 2 position.
If we look at positioning on the track, the pivot takes the pivot line, and her blockers line up behind her. The player behind her on the inside may be called the Front-Inside or Inside.
The next two names for the No. 2 position include Wing or Shadow (or more appropriately, Shadow Pivot). Generally in this setup, the player becomes an extension of the Pivot.
For sake of simplicity, we will just refer to all of these things as the No. 2 position. For help and clarification, we turn to Melissa "Mo Payne" Dittberner and Libby "Pbr" Claeys of the Sioux City Roller Dames,
PBR: (The No. 2) goes with the Pivot. Usually covering that inside line is where I like them to be. Their objective is to help hold a solid front on a wall while having the option to chase down a jammer or build a bridge if need be. Offensive/defensive switch needs to be ready!
Mo: Some people call this shadow pivot, I think that is pretty self explanatory there. Make sure you are on that inside line or a step over next to the pivot. This position is where I would put my newer players.
In its most simple form, the No. 2 position works closely with the Pivot serving as a helper. The No. 2 player becomes available to do tasks assigned by the Pivot: Wall, Inside, Chase, Bridge, etc.
A fast and agile Pivot may designate the No. 2 as an Inside 2, essentially taking on all the duties a Pivot may need to fulfill, such as holding the front-inside position. Other 2s work better controlling the middle to outside lanes of the track. In a pinch, the Pivot may “sacrifice” her No. 2, pushing her to the outside lanes to impede or block a forthcoming jammer.
The Pivot will generally cover the left side of the track, while the No. 2 will cover the right. A good 1-2 combination of Pivot and 2 is an amazing thing to behold, as the two are almost always in sinc, communicating through telepathy. The No. 2 is the Pivot's right hand, eyes and skate. Being able to cover a wider area than the pivot is important, because covering the outside of the turns is more area than the inside.
Inexperienced players often learn a great deal working the No. 2 position, so long as they are willing to take direction and go where the Pivot tells them (or pushes them). Learning to work laterally with a partner will greatly enhance the No. 2’s skill level.
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A breakdown of the two...PBR started the Sioux City Roller Dames and before the beginning BFF Mo Payne was on board to make this team happen. The girls also belong to the Sioux City Korn Stalkers, Mo as coach and PBR as head NSO and the best organizer in the world for local events. These two chicks also started the Norfolk Bruisin Bettys after they put on a killer charity bout in
Read the rest of the series:
By the position – An introBy the position – Pivot/No. 1
By the position – No. 2
By the position – No. 3
By the position – No. 4
By the position – Jammer/No. 5
