Blocking Is Important
There are four kinds of blocking formations, namely, one person, two person, three person, and none (otherwise called nobody home). There is a particular time when each system is usually used, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
BLOCKER RESPONSIBILITIES AND TACTICS
The responsibilities and tactics of blockers will vary according to a coach's philosophy and game plan, but the following are some guidelines.
- Many people say that a blocker is the first line of defense. The blocker is also the first line of offense when attacking an overpass.
- Take away the hitter's best shot. Force him to use another shot. Many intermediate hitters do not have one, so they tip. Also, a hitter will divert back to their favorite shot, especially in long rallies.
- One of the blocker's responsibilities is to block an area of the court. This will allow the defensive players to dig less of the backcourt around the shadow of the block. The shadow of the block is the area behind the blockers that does not have to be defended from a spike. Of course, this means that every block is successfully timed and executed.
- Middle blockers are usually involved in every attack. They must be smart, laterally mobile and quick.
- On a perimeter set, the sideline blockers usually set the block and the middle blocker close the block. The outside blocker must set the block early enough to give the middle blocker a target to get to. The outside blocker does not want to adjust out toward the antenna again. This will cause him/her to drift out and weaken his/her block. It will also prevent the middle blocker from closing the block. Having a hole in the block ruins the shadow of the block. It causes confusion with your backcourt and invites the hitter to put a ball to the floor. The area of the block between the blockers' hands is called the seam of the block. Many hitters aim for the seam knowing that it can be a weak area of the block.
- If the sideline blocker takes away a crosscourt hit, the middle blocker is taking up space. This is a tough concept for the middle blocker to accept. The middle blocker needs to understand their responsibility. The middle blocker must be ready to block the ball in case the sideline blocker does not set the block properly or the hitter cuts the ball around the block.
- Generally, the sideline blocker blocks crosscourt and invites the hitter to hit line. This is good percentage play for the blocker because the sideline limits the amount of useable court space. A defensive team can also position a backcourt player to dig a line hit.
- The farther out the set is, the more the block is set in. Players have to see that the antenna cuts the possible angle of the ball can legally be hit into. The whole team, including the diggers, can defent just the crosscourt area. This is a blocking tactic that has to be visualized and trained.
- The farther off the net the set is, the more inside the block should be set. it is more difficult to hit a set off the net down the line than a tighter set.
- Train your players to read the whole play. If the set is off the net, the middle blocker should shift his/her weight onto their left foot to get ready to push off to block an opponent's probable outside hit. A poorer pass usually means another outside set, and the left front blocker should get ready to become an off block digger in the defensive scheme. A bad set could also mean a higher outside hit. A tighter outside set usually means a powerful crosscourt hit or mistiming by the hitter and a possible tip.
- A high outside set that is not pushed out to the antenna is usually hit at a lower part of the set by the hitter. They are looking for a ball pushed out and are ready to make a step to the ball near the sideline. The hitter has to adjust in, and many times does not adjust enough. This is a hit that many blockers can stuff block.
- A blocker should be careful not to reach away from help. This means that the outside blocker should not reach with their outside hand for the ball. If the ball diverts from their hand, it will be hit off the court and away from the defense. This is also true of the middle blocker. Many times we train our middles to "get out and close the block". If they don't get there, many times they reach out. This drops the height of their block. It makes more sense for the outside blocker to close a bad block. They would be reaching in toward the court where their help is.
- If the middle blocker is having trouble planting their feet and keep colliding with the outside blocker, they may be overzealous and are trying to block the ball instead of close a block set by the outside blocker.
- After a successful block, except a tip. After a successful block, expect the setter to set a different hitter.
- During long rallies, expect the other team's hitters to transition less. This can result in the hitter being under the ball. Hitters who are under the set will hit the ball higher with more of a chance to hit the top of the block or go over deep. Some hitters tip or roll shot more.
- If a hitter has an error, expect them to change their shot the next time they are set.
- During practice, a coach can observe blockers from behind, in front, or from a referee stand. When you face the blockers, you can see their faces and head level well. You can also see where they are looking through the entire play. From the referee standd, you can see how much the blockers' hands penetrate the net. From behind, you can see how well they close the block and the footwork. You can also check out where they jump from and where they land.
- Train your blockers to come down from a partial block or tip and play balls within reach of them.
- It is equally important to train your players when NOT to block. Train your blockers not to jump when they recognize a free ball, tip, or roll shot. Some blockers fake a jump to scare an opponent so they will send the ball deeper. Some teams still have the blockers jump to try either block, or force the opponents into a deeper third hit, or to attack a ball. A coach has to decide what their philosophy is and what the success percentage is in these situations.
- Tighter sets are easier to block because the timing is easier. The farther the set is off the net, the more patient the blockers have to be. If it is a double block, the blockers have to be trained to jump in unison.
- Make sure the middle blocker is trained to travel from the middle of the court to the outside with their hands high. Many net touches are made when the blocker lifts the arms to jump.
Excerpt from the book, Coaching Volleyball Successfully
