Blocking help!!!!!?!?!?!?!?

Question

I am a freshman outside hitter and i have a hard time blocking

i know that if someone on the opposite team hits middle i have to go and help the middle hitter block but i don't always get there in time and i don't jump at the same time as her

i can jump really high and get my hands over the net but i sometimes end up in the net and the other team gets a point

i need some advice on how to block better (etc. steps, arm position, things like that)

help is really appreciated!!!!! thanks so much in advance!!!

Answer 1

practice jumping straight up and down, that way you will get into a routine not to go into the net. also make a punishment for yourself when you do go into the net so you will want to do it less and less

Answer 2

jump on a trampoline everyday =]

itll really help you to jump higher and straighter.

and when you block just think your jumpin on that trampoline and lift your arms as high as you can like your tryna touch the ceiling.

=]]] hope that helpssss!! =]

Answer 3

As for jumping at the same time as the middle blocker on your team what you need to do is not worry about when she jusmps! When you are blocking you need to jump when the hitter jumps and make sure you take your momentum up instead of forard into the net! And try to keep your arms up so that when you go to block you dont lift them into the net! Well, i hope you got something out of this rambling that i just did well anyways good luck with volleyball & i hope you have  great season!

Answer 4

I just want to add that it is better to go up correctly and in the wrong position than strain to get in the correct position and go up wrong.  

If you go up in the wrong position but correct technique, your team will still be able to dig the ball through the gap in the  double block.  If you lean and use poor technique, you will hit the net or be used by the attacker or make it impossible for your back row to dig.  (We called the guy on our team "Wrench" since the other team "tooled" him so much.  We were better off if he did not go up and let us dig the spike than ending the play in their favor when he tried to block.)  Poor techniques mean points for the other team.

Answer 5

train woman! train!!

Answer 6

watch the ball. and the players.

you need to determine the kind of pass coming from the passers. if its a bad pass, than its most likely not going to the right side hitter. then you need to determine if the setter is going to the outside of the middle.

watch the position of the setter or where they move, if they're close to the middle, then MOVE!

open your right leg, cross your left infront, shuffle your right over, and JUMP!

for height, you might want to try a swing block, so start your arms down and swing up and press. this helps me gain more height on my blocks.

Answer 7

watch the ball at all time think were it is going and act!!!  Pay attention!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And remember the setter has the hardest job so always compliment and praise her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am also an outside hitter!

Answer 8

what you want to do is skim the net. when you jump, curve your body so that you can be about a foot away from the net and still block without getting tangled up. as far as getting to the right place, you want to take 3 steps. open up, cross, and hop, then you're ready to jump!

Answer 9

A couple of things to help...

1.) Spacing on the net is important.  I tell my athletes to put their elbows to their ribs and touch the net with their middle finger.  That's how far you want to be off of the net.  Not too close & Not too far.  That will keep you out of the net if you jump straight up.

2.)  If you need to block the 0 tempo attack out of the middle, you need to work with the middle and block it.  If your coach doesn't have you starting next to the middle, ask him/her if you can start there first and move outside for the back set later. Then jump together and penetrate on the hitter.

3.)  Blocking Fundamentals.  First - blocking comes from your whole body - arms, shoulders & especially your core.  Flex all of them as one whole piece when you block.  Second - penetrate over the net.  Beat the ball to the net by contacting it on the other side of the net.  Third - grab the ball.  You'll never have it stick, but by attempting to grab it, you'll get the most surface area on the ball.  Finally - start in a "coiled" position (think snake).  Stay somewhat low with your hands up so you are in a "pre-jumping" position.  Move low and POUNCE on the ball.

Good Luck and have a good season!

Answer 10

Unless you are taller than most girls your age, blocking the middle is not usually required by outside hitters.  Some teams try, but at your level (Freshman in high school I'm assuming?) most girls don't have the footwork to get there in time.  The key here is FOOTWORK.  Ask your coach for help with the footwork.  It's not your jumping, but the way you step and move to the inside to cover the block.  That is key!

Answer 11

Well, this is a huge question. I just want to add a few more tips:

1> More sit-ups in practice. It will help you better control your body (not to throw yourself into the net).

2> Check with your setter and make sure that there is no one between you and your middle blocker, when you move to middle for a block. Sometimes when you tried to run around your setter, you would end up in the net (and not in time). Also when you move sideway (sliding along the net) you only need to worry whether you would crash into your middle blocker.

3> You don't always have to jump at the same time your middle blocker jumps, but your hands have to "be there" when the hitter contacts the ball. Your middle blocker has to jump when your opponent's middle hitter jumps, but you may have to make your own decision.

4> Always stay closer to the middle in defense as that is where a quick set/hit happens. You will have more time moving to block the outside hitter (you will have to coordinate with your middle blocker not to let her crash you on her way to her block). By the way, should the set go to the outside hitter on "the other side", you would need to move backward one step and cover the ground (instead of staying at the net).

5> Practice. The whole team needs to practice defense for each rotation, including whether you block the middle and how your back row players cover you in each scenario.