Volleyball Blocking 101: Techniques for Beginners

volleyvibesclub
May 29
8 min read

Of all the skills in volleyball, blocking is the one that most reliably generates excitement in a gymnasium. A perfectly timed block — hands stuffing a powerful spike back to the floor — is one of the most satisfying moments in the sport, for players and spectators alike.

But blocking is also one of the most misunderstood and under-coached skills at the youth level. Many beginner programs skip it entirely for the first few months, treating it as an advanced skill. At Volley Vibes Club, blocking is introduced progressively from the beginning — because understanding how to block changes how every player reads the game, even before they're tall enough to execute it effectively.

This guide gives you everything you need to know about volleyball blocking — what it is, how it works mechanically, and how young players can begin developing this critical skill.

What Is Blocking in Volleyball?

Blocking is the act of a front-row player jumping at the net to intercept or redirect an opponent's attack before or just as it crosses the net. A successful block either:

Stuff the ball back to the floor on the attacker's side (the most dramatic outcome)
Slows or redirects the ball into a more manageable trajectory for the defence to dig
Puts psychological pressure on the attacker, forcing them to hit around the block rather than through it

Blocking is the first line of defence in volleyball. Before the back row can dig, the front row must attempt to stop or redirect the attack at the source.

In competitive volleyball, the block is so important that teams dedicate significant training time to blocking schemes — coordinated systems that coordinate the movements of two or even three blockers simultaneously. At the beginner level, the focus is on individual blocking mechanics before any team scheme is introduced.

Who Blocks? The Positions Involved

All three front-row players are eligible to block in volleyball — the left-side hitter, the middle blocker, and the right-side (opposite) hitter.

However, in youth volleyball, blocking responsibilities are typically divided as follows:

Middle Blocker: The primary blocker on every play. The middle blocker's job is to read the setter, identify which attacker is receiving the set, and move laterally to form the block at the point of attack. This is the most athletically demanding blocking role — requiring rapid lateral movement across the full width of the net.

Outside and Right-Side Hitters: Block from their respective sides of the net. Their blocking role is simpler (less lateral movement required) but still critical — a one-person block against a powerful outside hitter is very difficult to stop.

For a full understanding of positions and their responsibilities: Understanding Volleyball Positions – A Guide for Kids

The 5 Components of an Effective Block

Component 1: Ready Position at the Net

Before a blocker can react to anything, they must be in the correct starting position. Front-row players ready to block should:

Stand approximately 50–60cm from the net — close enough to reach over but not so close that they risk touching the net on takeoff
Face the net with feet shoulder-width apart
Knees slightly bent — not deeply bent like a passer, but loaded enough to spring upward quickly
Hands up at shoulder height, elbows bent and in front of the body — ready to extend immediately
Eyes on the setter's hands — the setter's next contact will tell you where the ball is going

This is fundamentally different from the deep ready position used in back-row defense. Blockers need to be upright and close to the net, ready to jump — not low and ready to dig.

Component 2: Reading the Setter

The most important skill in blocking isn't jumping — it's reading. A blocker who jumps at the wrong moment or moves in the wrong direction is worse than no blocker at all (they create gaps in the defence and disrupt the back-row coverage).

What to read before the set:

Where is the setter positioned? A setter near the right antenna is more likely to back-set
Which attackers are approaching? Track their approach angles to anticipate where they'll hit
What has this setter done in similar situations before? Pattern recognition from previous plays

What to read during the set:

Setter's hand angle: Forward-angled hands suggest a forward set; hands angling back suggest a back set
Ball height and distance from the net: High sets go to outside hitters; quick, low sets go to the middle
Setter's eyes: Where are they looking just before contact?

This reading skill is a direct application of volleyball IQ — the cognitive game intelligence discussed in How to Read the Game: Volleyball IQ for Young Athletes

Component 3: Footwork — Getting to the Block

Once a blocker reads where the set is going, they must move to the correct position before the attacker jumps. This is where middle blockers face their greatest challenge — covering 2–4 meters of lateral distance in under one second.

Footwork patterns for blocking:

Slide Step (short distances — 1–2 meters)For small lateral adjustments, the blocker uses a quick side-shuffle step — staying parallel to the net, feet never crossing. Efficient for minor position corrections.

Crossover Step (longer distances — 2–4 meters)For larger lateral movements (middle blocker closing to the outside), the blocker leads with a crossover step — crossing the trailing foot in front of the lead foot for maximum lateral distance per step. This is the same footwork used in defence but applied in an upright position near the net.

Key footwork rules for blockers:

Arrive at the blocking position before the attacker jumps — not simultaneously
Face the net throughout the movement — don't turn sideways to run parallel to the net
Plant both feet simultaneously before jumping — a two-foot plant maximizes jump height and control

Component 4: The Jump and Arm Extension

Once in position, the blocking jump itself:

Jump timing: The blocker should jump slightly after the attacker — this is the most common timing mistake beginners make. Jumping too early means the blocker is descending when the attacker contacts the ball, resulting in a late block or a net violation. Watching the attacker's hitting elbow (not their feet) is the best cue for jump timing.

The jump: Push off both feet simultaneously. Unlike the spike approach where the jump is forward into the net, the blocking jump should be straight up — jumping into the net creates net violations and poor blocking position.

Arm extension: As you reach the peak of your jump:

Extend both arms fully above the head
Reach over the net as far as possible without touching it — the further over, the less angle the attacker has
Keep arms shoulder-width apart — too narrow creates a gap the attacker can hit through; too wide reduces penetration over the net

Component 5: Hand Position and Angle

This is the detail that separates effective blocks from ineffective ones:

Correct hand position:

Fingers spread wide — like you're pressing two large handprints against a wall
Wrists firm — a floppy wrist deflects the ball unpredictably
Thumbs pointing upward and inward slightly — this angles the hands forward over the net

Hand angle determines where the block deflects the ball:

Hand angle	Ball direction
Hands straight up	Ball goes straight up — uncontrolled
Hands angled toward the line	Deflects ball toward sideline
Hands angled cross-court	Deflects ball into court — ideal for defense to dig
Hands angled back	Ball deflects back toward blockers — net violation risk

For beginners, focus first on simply getting hands over the net with fingers spread. Direction control comes with experience and repetition.

The Joust: When Both Players Contact the Ball Simultaneously

A joust occurs when both the attacker and the blocker contact the ball simultaneously at the top of the net. In a joust:

The player who pushes harder and maintains firmer wrists usually wins
Neither player commits a fault — the contact is legal for both
Keeping wrists firm and pushing forward through the contact is the key

Jousts are exciting, chaotic, and genuinely fun — and they happen regularly in competitive volleyball. Teaching young players to expect and embrace them removes the surprise that often causes injury from flinching.

Common Blocking Mistakes Beginners Make

Mistake 1: Jumping Too Early Result: Blocker is descending when the ball arrives — no block or deflected ball straight up Fix: Watch the attacker's elbow, not the setter's release

Mistake 2: Jumping Forward Into the Net. Result: Net violation — point to the opponent Fix: Jump straight up, not forward. Keep toes slightly behind the net when jumping

Mistake 3: Arms Too Close Together Result: Ball goes through the gap between hands Fix: Shoulder-width apart on every jump — muscle memory comes with repetition

Mistake 4: Watching the Ball, Not Reading the Setter Result: Always reacting late — blocked too far from the attack point Fix: Read the setter first, read the attacker second, watch the ball third

Mistake 5: Not Penetrating Over the Net Result: Block has no effect — ball deflects straight up from the top of the net Fix: Reach as far over the net as possible without touching it

Blocking Drills for Beginners

Drill 1 – Wall Jump Reach (no ball)Stand facing a wall, mark a target 30–40cm above your standing reach. Jump straight up and touch the target with both hands simultaneously. Focus on explosive two-foot takeoff and full arm extension. Goal: 15 consistent touches in 20 attempts.

Drill 2 – Shadow Blocking Partner stands across the net and performs a spike approach with no ball. React to their approach: read their angle, move to the correct position, jump, and extend arms over the net. No contact — just position and timing.Goal: Correctly read and position for 8 out of 10 approaches.

Drill 3 – Chair Blocking An attacker stands on a chair or box on the other side of the net (safer and more consistent than a jumping attacker for beginners). They push the ball over the net at a moderate pace. The blocker reads, moves, jumps, and attempts to block. This eliminates the timing variable of a full attack. Goal: Contact and redirect 6 out of 10 attempts.

Drill 4 – Two-Player Block Closing Middle blocker starts at the center net, outside blocker starts at the antenna. The coach signals which side is attacking. The middle blocker crossover-steps to close with the outside blocker, both jump and block simultaneously. Focuses on communication ("I'm closing!") and synchronized timing.

Blocking and the Full Defensive System

Blocking doesn't exist in isolation — it's the first layer of a coordinated defensive system. The block's job is not always to stop the ball completely; often it's to channel the attack into zones where the back-row defence is positioned.

Understanding this changes how players view a "failed" block. If the block redirected a powerful cross-court spike toward the libero who dug it cleanly — that block was successful, even though the ball wasn't stuffed.

At Volley Vibes Club, blocking is taught as part of the full defensive picture — how front-row blockers and back-row defenders communicate, read together, and create a coordinated system that is far harder to beat than individual efforts.

For the passing skills that dig blocked balls: The Beginner's Guide to Volleyball Passing (Bumping)

Develop Your Blocking at Volley Vibes Club

At Volley Vibes Club in Markham, blocking is introduced as part of the complete volleyball development program — not left until players are "ready" or "tall enough." Coach Hani and Coach Minoo teach blocking mechanics as a reading and timing skill first, and a physical skill second.

Players who understand blocking early develop better court awareness, better defensive positioning, and become significantly more complete volleyball players.