Blocking Tips

*The First Line of Defense and Guide for Back Row Defensive Play *

In general:

*Studythe other teams offense; best hitters, setter’s strengths and weaknesses,hitters = right or left handed.

*Talk and tell your teammates where and how many hittersare in front row. Is the setter back or front row?

*Watchthe pass and decide setter’s options - good pass=3 hitters, not so good pass=1or 2 hitters, bad pass=hale marry set or back row set.

*Watchhitter’s approach, arm swing and hand for clues of ball direction.

*Don’tclose your eyes, watch so you can adjust.

*Armsextended from shoulders, fingers spread, press arms to ball don’t swing like ahit, direct ball into court by turning hands into court.

Middle Blocking:

*Knowyour hitter(s) and keep your eyes on them. What hand do they use? Whatdirection do they approach from?

*Talk and tell teammates what you see happening = “middle,two, outside, back slide, back, etc…”.

*Whenblocking 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 toohigh you might not be able to get to an outside block if you got faked in themiddle).

*Whenblocking a “2”; if the approach is straight in or from the your left and the hitteris right handed, the hit will usually go towards your right side or yourservice area (area 1) so block the to the hitters left. Blocker on your leftcan help out with a double block here. So all directions are covered.

*Whenyour hitter is sliding to the back or out in front for low quick sets, talk and get help from outside blockers. Follow yourhitter and block them. They are your responsibility.

*Youmust get outside to help block. Once you know the set is going outside (frontor back), turn and run! focus on the outside blocker’s shoulder not the ball and close the block (you have 3 seconds at the most to 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.