Blocking

Blocking is the front row's defense at the net: you jump with your hands pressed over the net to stop an attack outright, or slow it down for your diggers. Good blocking is mostly position and timing: watch the setter, move to the hitter, and on a high set jump a fraction after the hitter does.

Footwork drill: Blocking Footwork →

Block types

Solo, double, triple

Fundamentals

Body position, timing, hand placement, net penetration

Footwork

Shuffle step, 2- or 3-step crossover

Block styles

Commit, soft

Blocking fundamentals

Only front-row players may complete a block, you may not block a serve, and a block touch does not count as one of your team's three hits. Get these four basics right first:

1. Body position

Stand close to and square to the net, feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent and weight on the balls of your feet. Hold your hands up around shoulder height, ready to jump, and watch the setter to anticipate where the attack will come from.

2. Timing

Jump so your hands are at full reach as the hitter makes contact. On a high outside set that usually means leaving the floor a fraction after the hitter; against a quick attack you jump with them. In a double block, call the timing so both blockers jump together.

3. Hand placement

Reach high with your hands close together, less than a ball's width apart, fingers spread wide and wrists firm. Angle your palms slightly down so the ball rebounds into the opponent's court instead of up and out.

4. Penetration over the net

Reach over the net into the opponent's space rather than straight up. This takes away the attacker's angles and sends blocked balls straight down. You may reach beyond the net, but you must not touch the ball on their side before the attacker has played it.

Watch: middle blocker footwork and tips for short blockers

Videos: Elevate Yourself and VolleyCountry (Jiri Popelka) on YouTube. Learn Volley is not affiliated with these channels.

Blocking footwork

Pick the step that fits the distance to the hitter:

• Shuffle step (step-close): for short moves of a step or two. Step sideways with the foot nearest the target, then bring the other foot next to it without crossing your feet. Keep your shoulders square to the net and your hands up.
• 2-step crossover: for medium moves. Turn your hips toward the target and cross the far (trail) foot in front first, then bring the near (lead) foot around and plant both feet square to the net so you jump straight up, not sideways.
• 3-step crossover (step-crossover-step): for the longest moves, such as a middle blocker going to the antenna. Take a short open step toward the target with the near foot, cross the far foot in front, then close with the near foot so both feet plant square to the net before you jump.
• Arrive, stop, jump: get to the spot before the hitter swings. A blocker who jumps while still moving drifts into their partner or the net.

Solo, double and triple blocks

Solo block

One blocker faces the hitter alone, often against a quick attack or when teammates can't get there in time. A single blocker covers less of the net, so the aim is usually to take away the hitter's main shot and leave the rest to the defense.

Double block

Two blockers, usually the middle blocker and an outside blocker, form one wall. The outside blocker sets the position in line with the hitter's hitting arm, and the middle blocker closes next to them so there is no seam between their hands for the hitter to split. The outside blocker turns the outside hand slightly in so a hard hit isn't deflected out of bounds.

Triple block

Against a dominant hitter, a third blocker can join. That covers more of the net but leaves more of the court open behind the block.

Blocking tactics

Read the setter

Watch the pass first: a poor pass limits the setter's options. Then watch the setter's body and hands for clues. Once the ball is set, switch your eyes to the hitter's approach and arm.

Commit block vs. soft block

A commit block goes all-in on one attacker, often jumping with the quick hitter before the ball is set, to take their shot away completely. It shuts down powerful hitters but can leave another attacker open if the setter goes elsewhere. A soft block angles the hands back so the ball deflects up to your own defenders, keeping you ready to transition; it's useful for shorter blockers or when you arrive late.

Take away a shot

Agree with your defenders which shot the block takes, line or cross-court, so they know where to dig. Adjust your hands to the attacker's direction rather than chasing the ball. The defense systems page steps through both choices and shows where each defender starts.

Communication

• Count the hitters: before every serve, call how many front-row attackers the opponent has ("two up" or "three up"), so you know whether the setter can attack or dump.
• Call the setter: tell your teammates whether the opposing setter is in the front row (able to attack or dump) or the back row, and who blocks which hitter.
• Use signals: agree on hand signals or short calls for the blocking plan, such as a commit or soft block or which shot to take away.
• Keep talking: call out movement and timing during the rally and check your partner's position so you move and jump together.

Common blocking mistakes

• Jumping too early: you come down just as the hitter swings.
• Swatting at the ball: swinging your arms instead of holding them firm leads to net touches and balls tooled off your hands.
• Touching the net: contact with the net between the antennas while playing the ball is a fault.
• Drifting sideways: jumping into your partner opens gaps; get set first, then jump straight up.
• Landing carelessly: land on both feet with bent knees, on your side of the center line, and watch for the attacker's feet under the net. See injury prevention.
• Watching only the ball: after the set, watch the hitter's approach and arm, not the ball.

Frequently asked questions