Blocking is the first line of defense. A well-formed block takes away the hitter’s best angles and funnels the ball to the back-row defenders.

1. Eye-Work Sequence

Good blockers use a specific visual progression: Ball-Setter-Ball-Hitter.

• Ball: Track the pass to evaluate the quality.
• Setter: Read the setter’s body position to anticipate the set location.
• Ball: Briefly track the set’s direction and trajectory.
• Hitter: Lock eyes on the hitter’s approach and shoulder to determine the angle of attack.

2. Footwork Options

• Shuffle Step: Used for short distances. Keep hips square to the net, step, and bring the trailing foot to close.
• Crossover/Swing Block: Used for longer distances (especially middles moving to close on the outside). Directional step, crossover step, and square up while jumping.

3. Penetration

• Pressing Over: A block is only effective if it invades the opponent’s airspace. Shrug the shoulders and aggressively press the hands over the net. Do not just reach “up.”
• Hand Positioning: Spread the fingers wide and angle the outside hand inward to funnel the ball back into the center of the court.