How to Block a Volleyball

Video Transcript

"This is Keith Sewell in behalf of Expert Village. Now in this clip, we're going to talk about how to block a volleyball. Blocking is a key element of a defensive strategy. The team's best chance to score a point is on a powerful, but they're not goin to be able to score if a powerful hit is blocked. A defensive player will need to be positioned at the net when the other side has the ball, prepared to block the ball if the other team decides to spike the ball. A block may only be performed by a front row player, but it can be accomplished by 1, 2, or 3...all of the front row players at one time. Ready position is accomplished by holding your hands up to shoulder level with your fingers spread and your thumbs sticking up. To block, line up your outside hand with the hitter's hitting hand, and slightly turn your outside hand into the court so the deflection will return to the court instead of outside the court, outside the line. You want to make the angle of deflection to the court instead of away from the court. Reach as high above the net as possible and penetrate the net so that the ball doesn't deflect off you and onto your side of the court or your side of the net. You want to shrug your shoulders to reach your maximum height; if you shrug, you're actually adding a couple of inches the top end of your block. If you have to move to the ball, make sure you plant you before you jump. If you don't, you'll drift in the jump and out of position on the block or you can bump into your teammate who's going to help on the block. Often times you'll have to move to get in position to block a ball. When you're on the left side, your foot work will look like this: you want your first step to be with your right foot. It's going to be a big leap-step, crossover with your left foot, open up with your right foot, and position for the block. When you're on the right side, your first step is going to be with your left foot. Take a big step towards the middle, crossover with your right, and finish off with your left to be in position to block with the middle. That way you'll end up with your middle hitter in position to perform a double or even a triple block. "