The keys to good blocking volleyball skills are positioning, timing, and movement.

To be an effective blocker, you need to stay in a balance position ready to anticipate.

Good blocking volleyball skills consists of moving into good position to jump up and penetrate the net with your hands and arms to deflect or block your opponents attack.

Keep hands up and feet ready to move

You want your hands up rather than at your sides so that you can quickly get them above the net to block. Also, by having your hands up you are less likely to brush your hands with the net as you jump up.

Hands position

Your fingers should be spread as wide as possible when blocking. By spreading them wide you cover more area and help tense them up which makes them stronger for blocking. Strong tense fingers prevents jamming or injuring your fingers during blocking.

Always penetrate the net

Don’t try reaching high to block. Instead, make your opponents hit over you. If they try to hit over you they won’t do it consistently. The more you penetrate the less of an angle hitters will have to hit around you. Also, the more you block the ball on your opponent’s side of the net, the more likely the ball will come down on their side.

Three step crossover

This is to travel a greater distance sideways at the net. To move left, take a step with your left foot, then cross your right foot over in front of your body (your body is now sideways). After you have planted the right foot, turn and face the net. Jump straight up to block.

Two step lateral

To perform this move, you basically start by jumping laterally off of one foot. To move to the left, take a big step (or jump) to your left foot. Follow with your right foot, land, and jump straight up.

Two important points:

• You want to jump lined up in front of where the hitter will be contacting the ball.
• You want to make sure you are balanced before you jump.