Is it ok to drift when you blocK?

Question

I have heard many coaches tell their players not to drift when they are blocking. They say it is easier for the defense to work with a stationary block.

However, I've seen some of the best blockers in the world using swing blocks to get up higher, and they definitely drift.

So is it best for unexperienced players to not drift, but ok for higher levels?

Answer 1

The intent of the swing block is to increase the vertical by approx. 10%.  When you look at the Olympic players, you're are looking at the top athletes in the game.  For example, Soto from Puerto Rico has over a 50 inch vert.  Blockers need every inch they can get against that kind of attack.  Even with this being said, even our US team doesn't commit to just one type of block.  Hugh McCutcheon, the head coach for the mens national team, has said the US team must use swing and static blocking becuase of the dynamic nature of the sport.  Jenny Lang Ping, the head women's national team coach has said she doesn't train swing blocking for our women's national team.

Refering to the swing block as drifting, I don't feel, is entirely accurate.  The movement of the arms counters the movement of the body presenting a relatively stationary block when compared to a static block that floats and opens up seams in the block.

So after all that, here is my opinion:

1.  If you are not getting the added height from the swing block, don't waste the energy.

2.  Blocking has a scheme just like offense, if only one person is swing blocking at the net, your blocking scheme goes out the window.

3.  Blocking is your first line of defense, for younger teams to attempt an advanced skill such as swing blocking can be as difficult as running a zero tempo middle and a second step set to the pin without great passing and setting.  It's better to learn a solid static block before attempting to learn the swing block.

4.  Blocking is all about positive touches.  Touches that allow the rally to continue, or terminates the play in favor of the blocking team.  If you don't get the positive touches, change your scheme.

5.  If you have desires to play collegiate ball, LEARN TO SWING BLOCK, but don't argue the point with your current coach.  If they use a static block, learn it, and find other opportunities (open gyms) to practice swing blocking.  

So here is a load of BS with some good nuggets of info, hope it helps

Answer 2

I would think drifting increases the chances that your body will not be positioned correctly, thus directing a blocked ball the wrong way (i.e. out of bounds!).  Plus, if you're drifting, it's harder for the folks behind you to prepare for a hit... the angle is changing up until the ball is hit.

Answer 3

swing block is just using your arms to get up higher not drifting, drifting when you block could hurt you or other players and that's why your not supposed to do it, because you could land wrong or land on another player...

in high level volleyball they have quicker sets and hits so they have less time to get to the block, and they have no choice but to drift sometimes

Answer 4

If one knows how to swing block one will NOT drift.

When you swing block you swing to the right or left,

plant your feet and jump straight up.  If you fail to go

straight up when you swing block you will still be drifting

to the left or right because you didn't plant your feet.  

Drifting is dangerous because you are out of control and

you could turn an ankle on someone's shoe or visa versa.

Drifting is also ineffective because the block becomes

smaller as the blocker's hands become too close to

cover enough of the net properly.

Answer 5

My university coach tells us that too...it is more for the middle hitters not to drift for safety, if the middle hitter drifts he will contact his teammate blocker during the block and then there is nothing but problems and one of the two are almost guaranteed to have a injury. So thats the injury side of the drift.

If your righside/power blockers drift then it makes it harder to cover defensively behind the block. Because the middle has to come over a longer distance they  know where to go up and block by getting shoulder to shoulder with the outside blocker, now if the outside blocker drifts then the middle can't compensate and then a seem opens up and hitter will get through it if they are half decent.

However you are right with some of the best players swing blocking, that is because they are experience and their arms can cover more area and they get up higher anyway (this is called a "Crash Block")

For my university team I drift a little bit, but that is because I am a bit shorter (5'9" setter, so i block power) so i need a bit more momentum so i take a block approach almost as if i was a middle closing. However i have learned to go straight up after my approach and the middle i block with we adjust so that his block drifts a little to close my gap. So we can get away with it becuase we are a bit more experienced.

But if you can avoid it it is best not to drift, if anything else it can result in ankle or lef injury's.

Answer 6

My understanding of swing blocking is where you still jump straight up.  You present your arms for a cross court block and "swing" your arms over to block the line instead.  

Drift blocking looks the same as far as your arms are concerned.  Your arms start cross court, but end up blocking the line.  But your feet are different.  You could land on your outside or the hitter since your lower body is out of control.  And usually, your arms go out of control as well.  The tendency is to try to reach too far when you drift to get your arms into position.  Excellent tool material for the hitter.  

Since you are easier to tool and more likely to get injured, I STRONGLY recommend against drifting.

Answer 7

i do think that it is best for younger/ developing players to not drift when they block, but it is okay at higher levels. The younger, inexperienced players need to practice the technique and the defense is also still learning, and they need to learn to read the block, and it is easier for them to learn with a stationary block. The stationary block makes it alot easier on the defense to read the hitter and know where to be to dig the ball. As these players grow and begin to play at a higher level, they start swing blocking and drifting. This is because as the level of play gets higher, the higher, larger, and stronger the block needs to be. Swing blocking definitely is stronger, higher, and just more effective than a stationary block. Also, with players playing at a higher level, they are also stronger and bigger than when they were inexperienced, allowing them to put up a more powerful and stronger block. But i do believe younger players should start with a stationary block, to learn the technique and figure out what is more effective, at any level.

hope i helped!

Answer 8

when you drift, you have a possibility of 1]missing the block 2]not reaching your full jump height 3]most importantly, landing wrong or hurting other players. so the best thing is to try not to.

swing blocks DO get you higher because of your armswing, but i would stick with a stationary block for anyone not REALLY experienced, not only to avoid drifting, but because its easier.  if you do want to swing block, make sure you move your arms quickly upward to avoid drifting. players use this block because it has the same effect as your hitting approach: you convert your forward momentum into upward momentum. so if you feel comfortable with a swing, then go for it.

Answer 9

Swing blocking and drifting when you block are two different things. Drifting would be when you go up with a stationary block but then drift through the air. This has the possibility to hurt someone and you also lose the amount that you can penetrate the net. Swing blocking is different because although it is not like a stationary block you still jump up and do not drift. Swing blocking is a technique that helps you get higher

Answer 10

Swing blocking is not about drifting or height, it's more about quick movement and surprising the hitter.  A good hitter should be able to see a block in front of them and be able to hit around it, with swing blocking, it eliminates that time between the set and the attack contact for the hitter to be able to move around the block.

That being said, drifting is never good.  The problem with young players is that they start to "drift" out of control, especially middles with little experience.  This is a major accident waiting to happen.  I've seen blown out knees, sprained ankles, black eyes and tons of bruises, among other things.  Not to mention net violations and injury to opposing team mates.

This is why many coaches hate to use swing blocking, it's too hazardous and one slight misstep can injure some great players.  

Many upper level coaches still do not use swing blocking (collegiate level) because good footwork, eyework and strength are just as good.  If a person has great eye work (ball setter ball hitter is a great drill for this!) and can do their footwork, they work just as good if not better than a swing blocker.

So, to finally answer your question, no.  Drifting is never ok because it means the player is out of control and can cause some serious damage.