Blocking – Sequences and Cues

 Prior to the act of blocking the following sequence should be established

Find Your Hitters

1.        Know who are the front and back row players.

2.        Know the hitter’s tendencies.

·         Where do they like to attack in a given rotation?

·         What are their approach styles?

·         What are their favorite attacking places (i.e. line, seam, or angle).

3.        If the setter is in the front row, does that person like to swing at the second ball or is that person tip oriented?

4.        What is their favorite attack area?

5.        Some teams rarely use a back row attack, which can allow a blocker to narrow their focus. 

6.        Hitting tendencies should be covered before the match (when you have information available about your opponents).  Use of video visualization works well when you have video available.  You should be able to draw on this information before each serve.  This can help in the establishment of the initial block alignment.

Read the Pass

1.        Is it tight to the net or an overpass?

2.        Where is the pass taking the setter?

3.        Can the setter even play the ball?

4.        How many attacking options are available?

5.        Has the pass taken one of the hitters out of the attack?

6.        Is the pass conducive to a quick or a slower tempo attack?

7.        Does the type of pass allow you to cheat to certain slots along the net?

8.        The weaker the pass the more likely the ball will go to the strong side hitter.

Read the Setter

1.        Does the setter jump on every set?

·         If not, in what situations does the setter jump?

2.        Does the setter like to attack?

·         If so, what tendencies are evident prior to the attack?

3.        Where is the setter contacting the ball and what type of set is available?

4.        If the setter has to run off the net, where do the sets usually go?

5.        If the setter has to scramble, what is the most often used attack?

6.        If the setter is running across the net, does the ball go to the outside?

7.        What tempo of offense is the setter able to run?

8.        Who are the setter’s “go to” players?

9.        It is key to respond to the setter release.  Don’t follow the ball with your eyes, move your feet with the set and find the hitter using a broad focus.  The ball will come into view as you focus on the hitter.

Read the Attacker’s Approach

1.      Is the approach inside out or outside in?

2.      Will the attack be tight or off the net?

3.      Where is the attacker’s shoulder facing?

4.      Will the ball be pushed out to the antennae or out past the antennae?

5.      Does the hitter attack the angle of their approach or are they able to hit the cut back?

6.      Does the hitter always have a favorite area of attack?

Eye Focus and Movement – ball, passer, ball, setter, ball, hitter.

Last modified: 05/06/11