Javier Concepcion | Craziest Middle Blocker in Volleyball History !!! Javier Concepción is one of the most important pieces of the Cuban national volleyball team, a powerful and athletic middle blocker who represents everything that Cuban volleyball stands for. Born in Havana in 1997, Concepción quickly developed into a high-level player thanks to his explosive physical abilities, impressive vertical jump, and strong presence at the net.
He gained international attention very early in his career, even participating in the Olympic Games Rio 2016, which is a rare achievement for such a young player. Since then, he has become a consistent member of Cuba’s national team, competing in major tournaments like the Volleyball Nations League and the FIVB World Championship, where he continues to deliver solid performances both in attack and in blocking.
As a middle blocker, Concepción’s role is crucial. He is known for his quick first-tempo attacks, excellent timing on the block, and ability to move fast along the net. His physical dominance allows him to challenge even the best attackers in the world, while his offensive efficiency makes him a reliable scoring option in the middle. Over the years, he has also improved his reading of the game and defensive positioning, becoming a more complete and intelligent player.
During the Volleyball Nations League 2024, Concepción showed just how valuable he is to the team, scoring consistently and contributing both offensively and defensively. His performances confirmed his status as one of Cuba’s key players, especially in a system that relies heavily on strong middle blockers to stabilize the game and create opportunities for outside hitters.
At the club level, Concepción has built a diverse and experienced career, playing in multiple countries including Argentina, Poland, France, Russia, and Iran. This international experience has helped him grow as a player, adapting to different styles of volleyball and competing in some of the strongest leagues in the world.
Javier Concepción may not always be the most highlighted player on the court, but his impact is undeniable. He is a true system player—reliable, powerful, and essential for his team’s success. Without players like him, the structure of the Cuban national team simply wouldn’t function at the same level.
This video takes a closer look at his journey, his playing style, and why he remains one of the key figures in modern Cuban volleyball.
AI Generated·May contain errors
Janusz, a soft, safe one.
Sexy on with a contentious little backflip there.
I don't think there's anyone in the world that can play those shots better.
I mean, all it was missing was a tennis racket there.
I mean, super little shots.
That's it.
We see Egepeth with his behind the head at wide where he turns his back on it.
This is just...
It's 10 p.m. local time here in Rio.
Pretty late to be playing volleyball.
Oh, what do you like?
A round-the-back half-moon swing.
I mean, this match has been fun because I feel like we've seen it all.
We've seen crazy play after crazy play.
And there's another one.
The no-looky-cookie going behind the head.
And coach incredibly pressed.
Kurek.
Yeah, picks that one up.
Sets you on tries and other like those.
A little topspin backhand.
Just keep him front court and let him keep doing those.
This overhead camera is going to show you so much.
It's so cool.
Just makes it look so easy.
Hold from this side.
That tip is picked up.
And a clever little backhand touched through the middle by Concepcion.
Look how tricky this is.
Wow.
Looked like it was going to be a fake there for a second, but...
Oh, it's lovely.
Concepcion, he just jumps so high.
Even though he was in front of the ball.
He's still able to do something with it.
From Lopez.
Oh, back to the 80s from Concepcion.
But he was right on top of the ball.
So it's kind of a push to bank, not a push, because that's not banked.
But great tempo.
He's up and high.
He gives time to get something to set to.
And almost demanding the ball by his physical presence.
And he's hitting that at the top.
Use that middle attack.
OK, knocks him on that time.
But no worries.
The same outcome.
Lovely angle again is Concepcion.
He just slots in there and dumps it down.
Keeps his shoulder.
Yes, lovely.
Concepcion banks his one.
That's the situation where the middle takes the first contact.
They have the best idea of the rhythm.
They need to be moving out to approach this ball forward.
We see the service sub now coming in in Gutierrez, Suarez.
Good improvisation.
They can recycle and Concepcion comes up with the point.
So Lopez reaping the benefits of having a little bit more patience.
It was an interesting shot, but controlled it well.
And Concepcion ready.
Thundercat, really nice set from that position.
Good serve again.
Maso scrambled up by Volkeria, pushed over with two hands by Nikolov.
The one hand set from Gomez, kicked up by Petkov, kept alive.
Cuba comes again.
That time, Concepcion!
Oh, my goodness.
Man, he is so good in the offense.
First of all, scrappy play by both teams to keep it live.
But as soon as it's a free ball,
you can see the libero stepping into taking it, Concepcion.
Cuba, big freedom on the swing, on the serve.
Collision underneath the net there.
Oh, Concepcion puts it away as the Cubans run on to court to celebrate.
Cuba leads 25-22.
Realizing that, hey, we've got a gamer on the other side.
Let's go back to our gamer in the middle, Concepcion.
Kind of trading haymakers a little bit here in the third set.
China goes big, Cuba comes back.
Concepcion for his second time through the middle.
Sasuk, nice pickup from Camino.
Here's Concepcion ripping it.
Like how he was fading away there.
Yeah, he kind of floats in the air like a butterfly and then stings like a bee
because look at the way he's just in the air for an extra couple of seconds.
And he's got opposite when you're saying position four.
Oh, it was the windup, a windmill of passion from Concepcion.
That one had flames coming off it, I'm pretty sure, once it left his hand.
And then shift towards the same.
Even with a good choice on block.
Won the first, those days are gone.
Middle attack, Concepcion delivers.
Gomez, that is the center, had a quick word with the coach as that timeout began.
Here's Lopez.
Oh, what a serve.
But Wong Bin's got it up.
Gee's going to bump it over. Free ball chance, Cuba.
Here they come, everybody available.
They go with Concepcion and he windmills it down.
Nice delay.
One of his best shots is this cross body, sprints his arm around.
You think his name is Stephen Marr or something?
Used to be Robert Landy's teammate at Piacenza.
A little trouble here.
This is going to be a free ball chance for Cuba to get to 21.
Boom. Concepcion.
Pressure from the inline.
Gives Cuba a chance to put down the free ball.
Well played.
Concepcion with authority.
Jakob Nowak, the 20 year old
and the old windmill swing from Concepcion.
Yeah, the roundhouse.
He just hit Bulgaria trying to
climb back into the driver's seat in the match.
Concepcion hammers that one goes down on a tumble afterwards.
Gutierrez just sacrificing his body to put that ball perfectly in the hands of it.
So far, they've already got five on Cuba.
Oh, wow.
Well, Blanchini was talking about Concepcion's previous attacks.
That was nothing like that.
How do you slow that down?
How do you that just the speed and.
Won the championship in Poland this year.
With Lublin, there's Concepcion with the hammer.
I mean, that's a statement swing, if ever I've seen one.
Fourteen points in the game for the Cuban captain.
Byzantine couldn't finish.
Maybe Concepcion can. Yeah, he can.
Deep hit by Concepcion.
No need for a big snap because he sees that corner just wide open.
Look how far to the.
By the way, Huang Zhilong from China is the first referee in the match.
Here comes the serve from Matias Sanchez.
Gomez sets it up and Concepcion delivers.
Concepcion has such a windmill swing.
He uses his entire arm to go around the world and find that ball at the very top.
And there's just nothing you can do about it.
I just love the way Cuba plays.
I mean, any time they have an open net or even just one little lane,
they are putting their entire body into every single swing.
Barely a sliver between the block.
Start of the game with lefty serving.
He's serving again.
Oh, my goodness.
Concepcion, what a swing.
This angle is ridiculous.
I think we're going to get a replay.
I think it's before the attack line.
OK, just after.
But the ability to cut that back, that's not the way he was facing.
He had to kind of actually change the angle.
