Blocking in volleyball is one of the least taught but most important skills. Blocking is a laughing line of defense against an opponent's attack and results in a smaller field area for the defense to defend. By following the steps below, you can become a great blocker in volleyball.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Getting in the Ready Position
Step 1. Always be on the alert
Timing is one of the most important aspects of blocking; milliseconds can make the difference between successfully blocking an opponent's attack and failing to clear the ball. Putting yourself in a ready position will ensure you can move more efficiently when trying to block.
Step 2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart in front of the net
Keeping your feet a proper size will help with your stride, which is another important aspect of blocking skills. With your shoulders and hips perpendicular to the net, you'll be able to jump straight up faster.
Step 3. Keep your knees bent
Keeping your knees bent is an important part of the ready position. By doing this, you are ready to jump immediately rather than having to lower your body before jumping to block. Be careful and don't be lazy and stand tall while you wait for a chance to block.
Step 4. Keep both arms raised
Keep your arms and elbows high, raised in line with your shoulders. This will also shorten the time it takes to raise your arms when you want to block your opponent's ball. If the arms are only left hanging at the sides of the body, then both still have to move further to be able to lift into the air.
Step 5. Point your palms towards the net
This ensures that your palms are at the right angle to block, and, again, shortens the time it takes to get your hands into position, so you can become a faster blocker.
Step 6. Keep yourself half an arm's length from the net
If you touch the net while trying to block the ball, you will be considered a foul. Leave enough space between your body and the net to ensure you don't accidentally touch it.
Part 2 of 3: Using the Right Technique
Step 1. Learn the correct timing
Watch the ball before it reaches the setter, then watch the setter. After noticing the setter, follow the ball and watch the hitter. Paying attention to this entire sequence rather than just focusing on the hitter or the ball will help you prepare for the blocking in the best possible way.
- Watch the setters and look for clues. If the pass to the setter is made in a certain position or angle, this may limit the setter's options for hitting the set. You can also pay attention to the angle of the setter's shoulders or where his eyes are looking to guess where his set of balls is going.
- Watch the ball immediately after the set to help you strategize your blocking. If the ball is far from the net after a set stroke, the hitter may not be able to hit it right away and will need more time to prepare. You have to delay your jump a bit and reach high to block his shot. If your set is close to the net, then you have to block as deep and as deep as possible. If the set is very low, then you will need to jump faster because the ball will also be faster.
- Watch the hitters for clues. Check out the angle of approach to find out where you should wait while preparing to block. If the hitter's shoulders and upper body are in a twisted position, he may be preparing to shoot the ball in a straight line. If his shoulders or elbows are hanging loosely then he's probably preparing to hit hard.
- Jump as soon as the hitter touches the ball. You may have to adjust the timing of your jump a bit, depending on the position of the ball and the hitter.
Step 2. Communicate with your teammates
Most teams will choose one person (usually a blocker in the middle) as the captain of the block to assist communication in the defense strategy. The captain will coordinate the other blockers to prepare the best blocking strategy.
- Paying attention to hitters and setters is very important because they are the people your defense has to anticipate when blocking.
- It is better for the blockers to be aware of the position of the setter and who the opposing team's hitters are before the serve is made. This is important so that your team can prepare to defend.
Step 3. Use correct footwork
Moving quickly and precisely is essential so that your body can be in front of the shoulders of the hitter who fired the ball, so that you can block successfully. There are two footwork patterns you can use to quickly get your body into the right position: the sidestep pattern and the crossover.
- Sidestep is used when the hitter is at a distance of 0.9-1.5 m from you. Step once with the foot closest to the hitter, then step the other foot following this foot to keep them shoulder-width apart. Keep your hips and shoulders parallel to the net as you walk. If you need more than two steps to reach the hitter, then use the crossover pattern.
- Crossovers are used when you need to cover a larger area, for example if the hitter is more than 1.5 m away from you. Step first with the foot closest to the hitter and then cross the other leg in front of your body. While your hips may point toward the hitter as you do this, your shoulders should remain straight toward the net. Step again with the foot closest to the hitter to correct the position of both feet so that they are shoulder width apart and perpendicular to the net.
Step 4. Jump right away
Position yourself directly in front of the hitter's shoulders and jump quickly to try to block. Make sure you are balanced before jumping and jump at the same time the hitter touches the ball.
Step 5. Bend your arms inward at an angle as if you were holding the ball
Your hands should be close together (about 10-15 cm between them) and bent inward as you block. This will direct the block to get the ball back into the opponent's court and reduce the chances of deflection from other defenders on your team. Keeping your hands close to each other will prevent the ball from slipping through the gaps.
- Don't let your hands form a flat surface or the ball will bounce in different, unwanted directions.
- If you're near the edge of the court, position your forearm at an angle and point your hand inward in anticipation of the shot bouncing back onto the court instead of out.
- If you're a short player and can't get past your opponent's defense for this or another reason, keep your hands bent back. This will slow down the ball through touches for the defenders rather than block it.
Step 6. Keep your fingers extended and relaxed, but straight
Keeping your fingers outstretched will create a larger surface area for the ball to touch and ensure that your fingers are slightly softer so the ball doesn't bounce haphazardly. Indiscriminate bounces can make it difficult for other defenders to reach the ball.
If your fingers stay tense, strong, and firm, you'll have a hard time aiming the ball. Often, the ball will bounce off the field even if you block it. Make sure your fingers are straight and strong without being too stiff
Step 7. Keep your wrist stiff
Do this in anticipation of a hard spike. Be careful not to hurt or hurt your wrist.
Step 8. Position your arms at an angle above the net
Both arms should be straight and over the net as high as possible. This will ensure you can get closer to the ball. Even if you lose some height with this technique, it's better to be able to penetrate deeper into your opponent's court than to increase your height. This way, the ball will bounce back onto the opponent's court instead of going elsewhere.
- Make sure that when you do this, you are not leaning your hips forward. Set your upper body in a forward angle with your stomach tensed so that your body is close to your opponent's hitter.
- If you're a small blocker, keep your arms straight up, with your fingers slightly bent back. You can also do this if you react too late and can't break through your opponent's defences.
Part 3 of 3: Practice Blocking
Step 1. Practice your jumping skills
Height, arm length, and jumping ability can really help a person to block while playing volleyball. You can't change your height, but you can work on your jumping skills, for example by doing squads, calf training, or strength training. Train yourself to jump at maximum height to improve your jumping ability.
Step 2. Practice your footwork
Fast footwork is an important aspect of any blocker. Games can happen very quickly and involve trickery to distract you. Practice your sidesteps and crossovers.
- Sidestep is used when the hitter is at close range. Step in with the foot closest to the hitter and then follow with the other so that your feet are back shoulder width apart. Keep your hips and shoulders perpendicular to the net as you sidestep. Practice this step while walking back and forth in front of the net, keeping your footsteps as light and fast as possible.
- The crossover step is used when you need to cover a larger area. Step first with the foot closest to the hitter and then cross the other leg in front of your body. While your hips may point toward the hitter as you do this, your shoulders should remain perpendicular to the net. Step again with the foot closest to the hitter to make sure your feet are back shoulder width apart and your hips perpendicular to the net. Practice this step sideways by walking back and forth in front of the net, making sure that your steps are as light and fast as possible.
Step 3. Practice hand and arm positions
Have an assistant hold the ball on the opposite side of the net. Jump and catch the ball and aim it to your side of the court. Your hands and arms should be bent over the net without touching it. This movement trains the correct hand and arm position to block..
- The ball should be as far away from the opposite side as possible for you to practice developing your skills.
- You should not straighten your arms while blocking, but should bend them slightly above the net. This exercise reflects correct technique when blocking.
- Both hands must be in a position next to each other when holding the ball. This position is the correct technique when blocking.
- To continue training, your assistant must move the ball left and right to help you practice blocking different types of shots, such as angled and sharp shots.
Tips
- Always keep your arms firm and extended, and do strength training so you can jump higher and stronger.
- Outside hitters will always want to block with their inside hand and cover with their outside hand, while middle blockers will want to block with their outside hand and cover with their inside hand (unless they block alone in the middle).
- While physical ability can help blockers, the mental aspect of blocking is very important. The ability to initiate and properly time the jump is a crucial factor in achieving successful blocking.
- No matter how good you are as a blocker, you will always run into some hitters who can't be easily blocked. Don't give up and keep practicing and improving your skills.
Warning
- Always jump and land on both feet so you don't hurt yourself and lose your balance in the air.
- Be careful not to touch the net when blocking. If the referee sees you touching the net, he will give the opposing team a point.
