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The technique of blocking

Assuming a state of readiness is such a waiting state where the student can react to the opponent’s performance of the attack at the right time. Changing positions is realized by 2-3-m steps sideways, parallel to the net. The eyes follow the opponent’s movement, the arms are in a ready state, bent at the elbows, the palms and the spread fingers are about at the level of the head. After aligning, a vertical jump up follows, the body is extended; the arms reach toward the net in high position. The block is good if the ball cannot get through the arms and the hands, and bounces from the contact surface toward the ground. This can be achieved by bending the wrists forward. Both the jump and the landing are with both feet, so that the landing results in a new state of readiness to return actively to the game as soon as possible.

The movement of the blocking player depends on:

  • the direction of the location of the hit
  • the distance of the ball from the net
  • the height of the ball

The exercises are available at the link below.

For the sake of success, the block can be double, when two students in the first line jump up at the same time in the right or the left corner. Typically aligning to the attacks, double blocks can be formed anywhere at the net. Triple blocks can be formed at the middle part of the net, and their performance already requires great concentration, cooperation and coordination from the students.

Exercises:

  • The pairs face each other; claps overhead while hopping in place.
  • With the help of a wall board or other object, practise touching the ball put up above the level of the net (blocking contact) and landing.
  • The pairs at the net move back to the attack line without the ball, then run to the net, jump up with both feet, clapping above the net.
  • The pairs at the net jump up without the ball three times, clap above the net, then after three steps sideways, repeat the jumps.
  • The pairs move at the net stepping sideways, jump up at every other step, and clap above the net.
  • The pairs at the net have a ball, at the third step sideways hand the ball to each other over the net.
  • The pairs at the net have a ball, at the second step sideways jump up at the same time, the player with the ball contacts the ball into the blocking palm of the player without the ball, then takes it on, and they repeat the exercise.
  • Contacting (blocking) the ball kept above a level tape or string.
  • Blocking a ball, coming from the opponent’s court, in place.
  • Blocking a ball thrown from the opponent’s court, coming from two players, stepping sideways between them, getting to the blocking contact.
  • Blocking a ball coming from ahead, from the opponent’s court, in pairs (double block).

The exercises are available at the link below.