How to Improve Blocking in Volleyball

By Mississauga Volleyball Research Staff

Blockers are volleyball players, who are responsible for team’s defense. The main responsibility of blockers is to resist the attacks of the opposing team and not allow the ball to land on their side of the court.

Blockers have to position themselves near the net on the court. When a moment comes, a volleyball blocker has to jump high in the air and do a successful block.

A ball usually goes in an unpredictable direction after a block. That means that a block may turn into a successful attack hit. If this happens, blockers will be able to earn some points for their team.

Every blocker has to perform on the court in the best possible way. There are different ways to improve blocking in volleyball. Today, we will provide the tips that volleyball players need to follow to get better at volleyball blocking.

So, let’s get started.

Increase a Vertical Jump to blocking in volleyball 

A vertical jump is a key element of blocking in volleyball. A volleyball player has to jump as high as possible to do a block successfully. A blocker, who can jump high during a game, can create a lot of problems for the opposing team’s hitters.

It’s incredibly important for volleyball blockers to strengthen their legs. It’s also important to note that blocking in volleyball requires explosive movements. That means that blockers should also put a lot of focus on explosiveness. Strong legs allow volleyball players to make explosive movements and jump as high as possible when such a need arises.

It goes without saying that strong legs are a key to the success of volleyball blockers. There are the exercises that volleyball players can do to strengthen their legs and increase a vertical jump.

The best exercises that volleyball blockers can do to strengthen their legs include: alternating knee lifts, calf raises, knee curls, leg extensions, lunges, side hip raises, squats and others. And of course, it would be better to include these exercises in the blocker’s volleyball training program.

Watch the Game Carefully

Game watching is crucial for the success of volleyball blockers. That’s why blockers should constantly work on such an important skill. Volleyball blockers should watch the game carefully to find out when they should start preparing for an attack hit. When watching the game of volleyball, blockers should pay close attention to the opposing team’s hitters. Also, the ball should be constantly under the blocker’s watch.

Learn How to Select a Moment for a Block

A volleyball blocker has to be at the right place and at the right time during the game. A volleyball player should start preparing for a block in advance. Preparation should begin when a volleyball player sees that the opposing team is organizing an attack hit.

Timing is crucial for the success in volleyball blocking. A volleyball blocker shouldn’t start resisting attacks either too early or too late. It’s necessary to find the golden mean. In other words, volleyball players should try to select the best moment for a block.

A blocker must be ready for resisting an attack hit when the opposing team’s players are about to hit the ball. A volleyball blocker should analyze the situation on the court carefully during the game. A blocker should make lateral movements and change his/her position depending on the situation.

Interact with Other Volleyball Blockers

The task of volleyball blockers is to leave no chance for the opposing team to carry out a successful attack hit. Blockers should create the defense line for their volleyball team. It’s widely known that hitters aim to find the holes between blockers. That’s why the main task of volleyball blockers is to close all possible holes in the team’s defense line and make it difficult for their opponents to carry out a successful attack hit. Volleyball blockers should work closely on the court and try their best to resist as many hits as possible.

Do Blocking Drills

Performing the right type of drills help volleyball players succeed in blocking. There are certain drills that help volleyball players improve their blocking drills. Now, we’ll talk about these drills in detail.

Mirror Blocking

This drill should be performed by four volleyball players. Two blockers should go to one side of the court. Two other blockers should go to the other part of the court. Volleyball players on one side have to move a blocking movement. While volleyball players on the other side have to mirror the movement. So, blockers should mirror each other. The volleyball drill of this type has two important benefits. The drill teaches volleyball players how to react to the game and how to make movements correctly.

Block Hitter on Box

This drill has to be performed by two volleyball players: a hitter and a blocker. A hitter stands on a box on one side of the court. A blocker should go to the opposite side of the court.

A hitter, who stands on the court, hits the ball to the opposite side of the court. A volleyball player should aim to hit into the block. The task of a player on the opposite side of the court is to block a hit and prevent the ball from landing on the court.

A blocker should react to a hitter quickly and successfully. Initially, a blocker penetrates the net. At the next stage, a blocker should aim to get both hands on the ball. By doing this, a volleyball player will be able to block a hit and resist an attack.

Attack the Hole

It’s widely known that a hitter should aim to hit the ball to the holes between blockers. The task of volleyball blockers is to close these holes. This volleyball drill is mutually beneficial for hitters and blockers. When performing the drill, hitters will learn how to attack the hole. On the other hand, this drill will teach blockers how to avoid holes in defense line.

A hitter and a setter should go to one side of the court. Two blockers should go to the other side of the court.

A drill begins when a setter sets the ball to a hitter. So, a hitter does his/her work. A hitter should aim to hit between blockers. However, blockers on the other side of the court shouldn’t allow this to happen. Blockers should cooperate with each other and do their best to close the holes in defense line. By doing so, they will be able to make it difficult for hitters to do their work.

This volleyball drill is some kind of competition. A setter and a hitter on one side compete with blockers on the other side. Let’s assume that a hitter has managed to hit through blockers successfully. In this case, a hitter and a setter earn a point. Let’s say that a hit has been blocked successfully. In this case, blockers earn a point. A drill is performed until volleyball players on one side of the court earn 5 points. After that, volleyball players have to do rotation.

Final Thoughts

Thank you so much for reading this article. There has been a lot of talk about the importance of blockers for a volleyball team. It goes without saying that the success of a volleyball team depends a lot on its blockers. Volleyball blockers, who can resist many attacks during the game, can help a team win the game and contribute greatly to its success.

As you can see, blockers have to work on many important aspects to get better. Blockers should aim to increase a vertical jump. Blockers should watch the game carefully. It’s incredibly important for volleyball players to choose the right moment for a block. Blockers should be able to communicate with each other to be able to cooperate successfully on the court. But most importantly, blockers should do the right type of drills to be able to improve their skills. Follow our tips to get the most out of training and get better at volleyball blocking.

Best of luck!