Blocking footwork
Shuffle and crossover patterns from zone 3 to zones 2 and 4, then a press-and-land.
Volleyball Blocking Drills
Blocking drills should train footwork along the net first, then hands and timing. Players learn to move from the middle to the antennas with shuffle or crossover steps, jump straight up without touching the net, and press their hands over to the other side. Once the moves are clean, add a live hitter so blockers learn when to jump.
- Drills on this page
- 1 core + 2 linked
- Players needed
- 1 to 9
- Equipment
- Net, optional box or hitter
- Typical block
- 10–20 minutes
- Rule to know
- A block touch does not count as one of your 3 hits
The drills
Six-on-six wash
Blocking against live hitters with real game decisions.
Hitting lines
Add one or two blockers on the far side (Progression 2) to get blocking reps while hitters train.
Key coaching principles
- Feet before hands. If the blocker is not in front of the hitter, good hands don't matter.
- Jump straight up. A blocker who drifts sideways hits teammates or the net, and leaves seams.
- Hands over, not up. Press the hands across the net toward the ball, thumbs up, fingers spread and strong.
- Hitter, not ball. Watch the ball to the setter, then the setter, then the ball, then the hitter. Jump on the hitter's timing.
- No net, no line. Contact with the net between the antennas while playing the ball is a fault. A foot may cross the center line only if part of it stays on or directly above the line.
- Know the rules. Back-row players may not complete a block, and the libero may not try to block (FIVB). A block touch does not count as a team hit, so your team still has three contacts. See the rules for beginners.
Watch it
Video: Four Athletes on YouTube. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.
Safety
Blocking means repeated jumps next to teammates and the net. Land on two feet on your own side, watch for feet under the net, and space blockers so they cannot collide. See common injuries and ankle braces.
Health note: General information, not medical advice. Young athletes should train under a qualified coach, and anyone with pain or an injury should see a doctor or physical therapist.
Frequently asked questions
Does a block touch count as one of the three hits?
No. A block touch is not counted as a team hit, so your team still has three hits after it.
Can a back-row player block?
No. Back-row players may not complete a block, and the libero may not even attempt one.
Is it a fault to touch the net while blocking?
Yes, touching the net between the antennas while playing the ball is a fault. That includes the jump, the attempt and the landing.
What is the first blocking drill to teach?
Footwork along the net without a ball. Once players move and jump cleanly, add hands and then a live hitter.