Blocking

Among volleyball playing opportunities, the first mode of defense that can be performed right at the net is blocking. Students in the first line, jumping up into the air at the net, putting their hands in the way of the offensive contact, prevent the ball from getting into the defended court. The block is successful if:

• the ball returns from the block directly to the opponent’s court, where it forces the offensive team to attack again
• the ball returns from the block directly to the opponent’s court, thereby the defensive team score a point
• the attack is so much weakened by the block that the ball can thereby be played much more easily, and the counter-attack can be organized much better

Students much be made aware that after the blocking contact the offensive team have three more opportunities to contact the ball. The outcome and the success of the game are greatly influenced by the use of blocking and its proper technical performance. In this age-group there are relatively few offensive contacts that are finished by a hit, nevertheless the students must be instructed consciously and in an organized way. In the playing situations defense has a major significance, and its practice is an indispensable task, as its good performance requires a lot of practice; it is a difficult technical element.

The block can be:

• single
• double
• triple block