Blocking Tips
The First Line of Defense and Guide for Back Row Defensive Play
In General:
• Study the other teams offense; best hitters, setter’s strengths and weaknesses, hitters = right or left handed.
• Talk and tell your teammates where and how many hitters are in front row. Is the setter back or front row?
• Watch the pass and decide setter’s options - good pass=3 hitters, not so good pass=1 or 2 hitters, bad pass=hale marry set or back row set.
• Watch hitter’s approach, arm swing and hand for clues of ball direction.
• Don’t close your eyes, watch so you can adjust.
• Arms extended from shoulders, fingers spread, press arms to ball don’t swing like a hit, direct ball into court by turning hands into court.
Middle Blocking:
• Know your hitter(s) and keep your eyes on them. What hand do they use? What direction do they approach from?
• Talk and tell teammates what you see happening = “middle, two, outside, back slide, back, etc…”.
• When blocking a “1”; get in front of the hitter’s approach; jump with the hitter; only jump high enough to get your hands in front of the ball (if you jump too high you might not be able to get to an outside block if you got faked in the middle).
• When blocking a “2”; if the approach is straight in or from the your left and the hitter is right handed, the hit will usually go towards your right side or your service area (area 1) so block the to the hitters left. Blocker on your left can help out with a double block here. So all directions are covered.
• When your hitter is sliding to the back or out in front for low quick sets, talk and get help from outside blockers. Follow your hitter and block them. They are your responsibility.
• You must get outside to help block. Once you know the set is going outside (front or back), turn and run! focus on the outside blocker’s shoulder not the ball and close the block. Do not watch the ball’s path. You will be late. You must beat the ball to the hitter.
• If you don’t make it to the block, go up where you are or drop off the net and play defense. Don’t just stand at the net.
Outside Blocking:
• Know your hitter and keep your eyes on them. What hand do they use? What direction do they approach from?
• Talk and tell teammates what you see happening “middle, two, outside, back slide, back, etc…”.
A. Blocking the Oppositions Left Side Hitter:
• This means you are in your court area #2 (Right side).
• Since there are usually more right than left handers, most teams put their stronger hitters on their left side (area #4). The harder they hit, the harder the ball goes down!!
• Your ready or starting spot should be about 3 feet from the antennae with hands above shoulders.
• Watch the pass to the set and then, when you know it is coming out to your hitter, talk and tell everyone in the gym it is “outside!”
• Regardless of what hand they use, line your body up on the hitting side of their body as they approach.
• The middle blocker should be closing the block just before your hitter goes up. Wait for the hitter to jump!! Then say aloud to the middle blocker “NOW!” If you jump the same time your hitter jumps you will be early and will be coming down when the ball is hit. Since the middle blocker should not be watching the path of the ball and just running to your shoulder, you must tell them when to jump
• If the ball is set past the antennae, do not follow, block inside he antennae at least a foot if not more.
B. Blocking the Oppositions Right Side Hitter:
*This means you are in your court area #4 (Left side).
*As above, most teams have more right than left handers so the tendency for most of them will be to hit cross court. Don’t count on it, be sure
*Your starting spot should be half way to the middle blocker so you can help with the middle in blocking 2s or quick back sets. Hands above shoulders.
*Watch the pass to the set and then, when you know it is coming back your way, talk and tell the world “back or slide or whatever!”
*Regardless of what hand they use, line your body up on the hitting side of their body as they approach.
*The middle blocker should be closing the block just before your hitter goes up. Wait for the hitter to jump!! Then say aloud to the middle blocker “NOW!” If you jump the same time your hitter jumps you will be early and will be coming down when the ball is hit. Since the middle blocker should not be watching the path of the ball and just running to your shoulder, you must tell them when to jump
*If the ball is set past the antennae, do not follow, block inside he antennae at least a foot if not more.