Blocking       

The Blockers' job is not to block the ball, but to take away part of the court from the hitters !!    Blockers should funnel the ball to your team's defense and if they happen to get a block on the ball...all the better.        

1.        Before serve---recognize if opponents have a back row or front row setter.

1. If opponents have front row setter(call out  “Setter’s Live”) 2 Hitters
2. If opponents have back row setter(call out numbers of front row players)  3 Hitters

***Make sure your team knows who opponents hitters are***  Say their numbers outloud.

2.        When you are on the serving side –be up at the net with hands up  ----All  Start out toward middle(this creates a screen for your server causing the opponents passes not to see the ball all the way.  *use screen until called by the ref*)

3.        Once ball is received,  watch where ball is passed?  (to setter or someone else)

If back row setter—pick up ball flight(can setter handle ?)

  NO JUMP DUMPS ALLOWED FROM ABOVE HEIGHT of Net WITH Back row SETTER,  Setter must hit ball from below the height of the net.

  **So Look first to middle hitter ***  Back row setter dumps are covered in the Libero Section.

If front row setter-- look first to the dump. (does setter use jump sets all the time or just when dumping ?)

Middle Blockers 

1.  Keep hands up—get ready to jump

           If middle set---get hands above net, Take away side that your setter is on.

2.  If no middle hit, get to outside block,   Jump up for outside hit

1. Beware of back row hitters running decoy going through 3-step approach toward net.  This is where it is important to know the numbers of the front row players.

2. Use your own decoys or foot stomps if setter starts anticipating your moves.

3.  When FREEBALL is coming over, be ready to block.  Learn to time block. These are easy points.  Then get back to beginning approach position.  Make sure to stay out of the net.

Outside Blockers

Defensive Strong Side( Right Side )

1.        Set block just inside antenna(work outside in.) with inside hand on the ball to block downline.

2.   Set block just inside hitters inside shoulder for cross court block.  Outside hand on the ball

3.        Make strong-side hitters show they can go down the line before starting to block downline unless you have scouted team previously and know tendencies of certain players.

4.        Turn outside hand in toward court to prevent roll-offs(tooling).

Defensive Left Side

1.        Always block cross court. Unless scouting or coach says otherwise for specific defensive sets. You want to make sure setter does not take the first ball.

2.        If  opponent is picking up blocks---Move hands from one point to another while in the air.  But make sure you move your hands to the spot you normally block.  The players behind you are counting on you to block a spot.  Remember you are taking away part of the court that is not covered by others.

All Blockers

        1. Pretend you are a giant and the opponents are small and you refuse to let them get anything across the net.

                Have Confidence—Dominate the Net

Advanced

* When blocking in the middle use the ball movement to determine positioning and timing.*

Only when opponents middle hitters are jumping in the air before the setter sets do you need to use the middle hitter for timing and positioning.  

Best:  Watch where middle moves on pass, then get eyes back on setter.  You want your jump timing in the middle to be right along with the opponents middle.

Outside hitters jump timing is they jump then you jump.  The further they are off the net, the longer you wait to jump.

More to come.