- Improve Your Volleyball with Coach April
- Improve Volleyball Skills Using Drills Focusing on the 6 Basic Skills
- A Beginners Guide To Volleyball Blocking
A Beginners Guide To Volleyball Blocking A Step By Step Block Tutorial
This is my ultimate blocking volleyball guide of 12 actions to take before, during and after your team hits the ball over the net.
If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.
Struggling with passing consistency?
I help talented passers tired of getting pulled from games because of inconsistent serve receive skills BUILD passing confidence without expensive private lessons using the same 3-step system that's helped dozens of my athletes get recruited.
Download my eBook for $7.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.
My 12 point beginners guide to volleyball blocking checklist is a simple breakdown, step-by-step of the action steps you need to take as a blocker.
From the moment the opposing team's server has the ball in their hand all the way to after you finish your blocking action.
A Beginners Guide To Volleyball Blocking A Step By Step Block Tutorial
Before The Serve -
What You Should Do
Establish blocking assignment/position quickly
Know the block style and volleyball tactic of the opposing team.
(That means you need to quickly read, commit, cheat towards a primary attacker)
- Are you going to block traditionally or are you going to swing block?
- Can you cheat towards the hitter that's been scoring the most points so you stand in front of/or are closer to her/him just before the server serves
Identify where the setter is, as well as the number and location of eligible attackers
- Is the setter front row? If so, there are two more hitters plus possible backrow attackers. Where are they?
- Is she backrow? Then there are three hitters that could possibly receive a set
Identify the style of offense
- Are they running a high ball to the outsides, or are they running play-set combinations?
- Are the middles running quick sets
- When do they use their backrow hitters and who are they?
- Does the setter dump?
- Identify these possibilities by talking about what you've seen them run previously or what you know they do from your scouting report options while standing at the net waiting for the serve
A Beginners Guide To Volleyball Blocking A Step By Step Block Tutorial When Ball Is Served - What You Should Do
Assume your final correct floor position
Be prepared for an overpass
(Be ready if the first thing that happens is the other team's first pass comes right back over the net.)
- The first thing that could happen is an overpass, where the ball could come right back over the net from the opposing team's bad pass that shoots back over the net instead of going to the setter. Don't be surprised by an overpass, be ready to block it, just in case
A Beginners Guide To Volleyball Blocking A Step By Step Block Tutorial:
Ball Is Passed - What You Should Do
As the ball is passed, glance at the attacker in your zone.
- Verbalize/Talk about if she is leaving your zone and entering another teammate's as you move to your adjusted block position/area of responsibility along the net
See the pass and assess the setter options
- Is it a good pass that's in-system? if so, the setter can run all her options so be ready.
- If it's a bad pass, then the setter has to move from her base to set an out-of- system ball which means she may only have one or two teammates she can set to
- Decide quickly if you still need to block or not based on the pass you see
As the pass nears the setter, maintain a low ready position and focus on the setter's body language and position in relation to the ball.
A Beginners Guide To Volleyball Blocking A Step By Step Block Tutorial
Ball Is Set - What You Should Do
Watch the setter deliver the ball. On higher sets, follow the set no further than its apex (peak.)
- Immediately shift focus to the approach angle of the hitter.
- The outside blocker sets the block according to pre-determined tactics (are you blocking line or cross court?)
If not swing blocking - from your squat... jump, squaring your shoulders to the net.
- Arms need to "seal" the net (choke the ball) on the way up and extend as far over the net as possible
If swing blocking - use the footwork - crossover step together - with both arms swinging back then forward as you travel to the outside of your court to front the hitter
The 12-Step Beginners Guide To Volleyball Blocking: Time your block so you jump and penetrate the net with your arms ..just before the hitter contacts/spikes the ball.
A Beginners Guide To Volleyball Blocking A Step By Step Block Tutorial:
Ball Is Attacked - What You Should Do
A Beginners Guide To Volleyball Blocking A Step By Step Block Tutorial:
Time your block so you jump and penetrate the net with your arms just before the hitter contacts/spikes the ball (R. Arvesen)Timing - Blocker should be in "optimum" position
- At the peak of your jump with maximum penetration, your hands should be positioned to deflect the ball back into the middle of the opposing team's court a split second before the hitter hits
If the ball passes by your blocking hands, follow the attacked ball with your eyes and head while landing in a balanced position as you then quickly pivot off the net.
A Beginners Guide To Volleyball Blocking A Step By Step Block Tutorial: This is my ultimate blocking volleyball guide with a list of 12 actions to take before, during and after your team hits the ball over the net ready to block.Be prepared to handle the ball (this could be the first thing that could happen) if you're not the primary setter before transitioning to the ten foot line to prep to attack.
- In case the ball is tipped high and just behind your blocking hands you may be the first person who has to pass or set the ball right back up to your setter.
- Land from your block, play the ball, then transition off the net to prep to attack.
Scroll down to read more information about how to improve your blocking volleyball technique.
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These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis.
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I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.
Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.
If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list.
Meet G.B. Blash the Grizzly Bear and Middle Blocker on
VolleyBragSwag's All Beast Team
A Beginners Guide To Volleyball Blocking A Step By Step Block Tutorial
Where Do You Go From Here?
No need to guess where you need to go now? Here are three options:
1. Learn more about Blocking Skills by clicking the related links below.
2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
3. Or visit the pages in the How To Play section in the drop down menu at the top of the page to get started
You might like these volleyball skill pages below.
Volleyball Setter Training: Techniques to Improve Your Setting Skills
This volleyball setter training reviews step-by-step each body part and what it does so you learn how to correct your mistakes and improve your setting skills.
Mastering The Bump in Volleyball: A Technical Skill Step-by-Step Guide
Some of your passing problems happen when you bump in volleyball because you don't keep your eyes on the ball until it crosses the net to your court.
Quickly Elevate Your Game With A Deadly Jump Float Serve in Volleyball
In this simple guide, I teach you how to improve your jump float serve in volleyball by measuring your steps, create a serving ritual and how to fix your toss.
How to Jump Float Serve: 3 Pro Volleyball Player's Secret Serving Tips
Why do college players rely on the jump float serve? It combines power with unpredictable movement. Learn how to jump float serve like the pros in this guide.
Master The Float Serve in Volleyball: A Guide for High School Coaches
Master the float serve in volleyball with my step-by-step guide tailored for Freshman, JV, and Varsity coaches. Elevate your coaching game for the preseason!
Volleyball Topspin Serve: How To Score Aces With Power and Spin
Want to add 3-5 aces per game? The volleyball topspin serve combines power and spin to score points. Learn the technique that makes passers fear your serve.
Three Types of Serves Volleyball Players Use To Score More Points
Turn volleyball passing challenges into strengths. Learn to handle tough serves, overcome anxiety, and develop unshakeable confidence on the court.
4 Types of Serves in Volleyball Overhand, Underhand, Topspin and Jump
There are four types of serves in volleyball varsity players learn. Beginners learn the underhand serve first, then the overhand serve, then topspin and jump serve.
Varsity Volleyball Sets: A Guide to Offensive Plays and Set Tempos
In order of the slowest set to the fastest set that's run as a part of a school's varsity volleyball sets collection to each of the front row zones for players to hit
Consistent Tossing in Volleyball Is How To Improve Your Overhand Serve
Tossing in volleyball for your overhand serve needs to be consistent in height and placement in order for you to improve your volleyball serve skills.
Volleyball Passing Challenges: From Nervous Wreck to Confident Passer
Struggling with volleyball passing challenges? Learn how to handle tough serves, overcome anxiety, and how to develop unshakeable confidence on the court.
If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.
Struggling with passing consistency?
I help talented passers tired of getting pulled from games because of inconsistent serve receive skills BUILD passing confidence without expensive private lessons using the same 3-step system that's helped dozens of my athletes get recruited.
Download my eBook for $7.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.
From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Honored At UTK Champions Weekend
Lady Vol volleyball legend and record holder Coach April Chapple a University of Tennessee, Knoxville Hall of Fame Inductee, 3-time All American, 3-time SEC Champion, SEC Tournament MVP, 2-time All SEC Team is celebrated with her 1984 SEC champion teammates at Neyland Stadium during Champions Weekend on November 1-2, 2024.
- the first First Round Draft Pick for the first American pro indoor women's league
- named to the first First Team All-Pro team for Major League Volleyball in USA volleyball history
- former USA National team member
- one of the few American women players named as an Italian Pro League D-I Championship Finalist, Italian Cup Finalist and Cup of Cups Tournament Finalist
April Chapple The first First round Draft Pick For Major League Volleyball the first American Women's Pro League Honored At Athlete Unlimited Pro Volleyball Match
Coach April's 2025 Private and Semi private Volleyball Training
Pre-Registration now open for 2025 Private and Semiprivate Training Sessions with Coach April . Get prepared for club tryouts or train with me during club season!
Email now for information on semiprivate or private indoor skills, individual or small group training volleyball classes and my Breakfast Club for College Players training for 2025.
Invest in your improvement while preepping for your next level and college goals while working hard and training smart.
Email me right now to register or for more information.
info@improveyourvolley.com
Serving slang is not just about individual techniques; it also relates to overall game strategy. A coach might instruct a player to serve a "short serve" or a "deep serve" to target specific areas of the opponent's court or exploit weaknesses in their serve receive formation.
Ari, my private training client and I are working specifically on serving on jump float cross court serves ...short to Zone 2
There's so much we work on to get to this point where she can contact the ball with
- the same toss height and same toss location
- the same armswing speed
- the same timing for when her serving hand contacts the ball
- the middle of the hand contacting the middle of the ball every single time
- getting use to watching her serving hand contact the ball at the highest point of her jump ...before she starts to land
- and finally contacting the ball in the precise spot on the ball so it goes where the coach wants the player to put it so in this case ..a short serve in the farthest short right corner on the court also called Zone 2.
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Read my open letter to Las Vegas Jr high/high school volleyball parents about my predictions on individual and small group volleyball training trends for 2019/2021
From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?
Congratulations to my seven Boys-18s Vegas Volley club players who played in two state championship finals yesterday, the 3A and 5A State champinship finals at Sunrise Mountain High School.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!
A-1 Vegas Volley VBC
In It To Win It Tournament
May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament
Gold Medalists
18s Premier Division
Making A-1 Vegas Volleyball history as the very first TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS! In the In It To Win It Tournament,
May 2-4, 2025 Tournament,
A-1 Vegas Volleyball Club
Gold Medalists, 18s Premier DivisionWhat Are You Looking For?
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