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Joust in Volleyball: How Blockers & Hitters Win The Ball Over The Net
Master the joust in volleyball with systematic techniques from a pro middle blocker. Learn hand positioning, timing, and mental strategies that win net battles..
A Joust in Volleyball: How to Win the Battle at the Net: A joust occurs when both a blocker and a hitter contact the ball when its above the net, at the same time. (Ralph Arvesen)
A Joust in Volleyball: How to Win the Battle at the Net
Are you tired of losing tight balls at the net
You know the situation: The setter delivers a ball too close to the net. You and the opposing blocker both go up. You both contact the ball at the same time over the net.
And they win. Again.
The ball lands on your side. Your team loses the point. Your coach yells "Push harder!" But you WERE pushing hard.
Here's my truth and what I teach to my players and coaches...
Winning jousts isn't about who's stronger—it's about who's smarter.
I learned this playing middle blocker professionally in Italy, when I first went over.
I wasn't the tallest or strongest middle on the court. But I won 70-80% of my jousts because I understood three things that the best middle blockers took the time to learn:
- Anticipation beats reaction (I knew jousts were coming before they happened)
- Technique beats strength (proper hand position wins more than raw power)
- Mindset matters most (the player who refuses to lose wins most jousts)
Today I'm breaking down the exact systematic approach I used to dominate at the net—the same techniques I teach my college-recruited athletes.
By the end of this guide, you'll know:
- What a joust is and when it happens
- The 5 technical elements that win jousts
- Mental strategies that give you the edge
- Practice drills that build joust confidence
- Position-specific joust tactics
Let me help turn you into a player who WINS the net battle.
What is a Joust in Volleyball?
A joust happens when two opposing players (typically a hitter and a blocker) contact the ball at the same time above the net.
When jousts happen?
- - Setter delivers a tight set close to the net
- - Ball floats over the net in a rally
- - Hitter attacks a ball directly into the block
- - Quick sets (Hut, 31) bring hitter and blocker together
The goal: Push the ball onto the opponent's side of the court before they push it onto yours.
Why jousts matter?
In close matches, winning or losing jousts can determine the outcome.
A single joust won at match point can win the game. A joust lost at a critical moment can shift momentum to your opponent.
Here's an irrefutable truth:
Players who win most of their jousts earn more playing time, score more points, and gain their coach's trust in crucial moments.
That player needs to be you.
The 5 Technical Elements That Win Jousts
If you and another player contact the ball at the same time over the top of the net this spiking and blocking action is called a joust in volleyball. (Michael E. Johnston)Element #1: Hand Positioning (Most Important)
The problem most players have:
They reach for the ball with flat hands or loose fingers. The ball bounces off their hands and lands on their side.
The winning technique:
- ✓ Spread fingers WIDE (cover maximum surface area)
- ✓ Angle hand DOWN toward opponent's court (not flat, not up)
- ✓ Lock wrist firm (not loose—ball should bounce off solid platform)
- ✓ Contact top half of ball (gives you leverage to push down
Why this works:
When you spread your fingers and angle your hand down, you create a "roof" over the ball. The opponent pushes up against your angled hand, and the ball deflects back to their side.
Quick test:
If the ball bounces straight up off your hands during a joust, your hand position is wrong. It should deflect toward the opponent's court.
Element #2: Timing (Be the Last to Touch)
Here's what separates good joust players from great ones:
Great joust players wait a split-second longer before pushing.
The strategy:
In 99% of jousts, the second player to touch the ball has the advantage. Here's why:
- First player pushes→ Ball moves toward second player
- Second player pushes→ Ball moves back with momentum
- First player is descending→ Less power
- Second player is ascending→ Maximum power
How to be the last to touch:
- Anticipate the joust early (see tight set coming)
- Jump slightly later than opponent (0.1 - 0.2 seconds)
- Reach full extension as they're starting to descend
- Push through the ball with maximum force
The key to winning the joust in volleyball: Don't rush. Wait for them to touch first, then ATTACK the ball on your way up.
Pushing Power (Push THROUGH, Not Touch)
The mistake: Most players rush to TOUCH the ball first during a joust. They make contact and hope the momentum helps them push the ball over.
The winning approach: PUSH THROUGH the ball like you're trying to drive it through the opponent's hands after the opposing player has their hands on the ball.
How to develop pushing power:
- ✓ Use full body weight (not just arms—engage core and shoulders)
- ✓ Push continuously (don't stop mid-joust—push until ball crosses)
- ✓ Lock out arms completely (full extension = maximum power)
- ✓ Never give up mid-push (many jousts are won in the last 0.2 seconds)
"When I jousted in Italy, I imagined pushing the ball THROUGH the opponent's hands and onto their floor. Not just 'over the net'—THROUGH their hands. That mental image made me push 30% harder. Try it."
Element #4: Anticipation (See It Coming)
How to anticipate jousts:
Watch the pass:
- Bad pass = tight set likely = joust coming
- Pass behind setter = tight set likely
- Pass too close to net = joust almost guaranteed
Know your setter's tendencies:
- Do they deliver tight sets on bad passes?
- Which sets tend to be tight? (Hut? 31? Back sets?)
- When are they most likely to set tight?
Read the hitter's approach:
- Are they approaching late? (Tight set likely)
- Are they too close to net? (Joust coming)
- Do they look panicked? (Ball is tight)
The advantage: When you anticipate a joust 0.5 seconds early, you can position yourself perfectly, time your jump better, and win the battle before it starts.
Element #5: Mental Aggression (Attack, Don't Defend)
The mindset that loses jousts:
"I hope I can get a touch on this ball."
The mindset that wins jousts:
"I'm going to WIN this ball. The net is MY territory."
How to develop joust aggression:
- ✓ Attack every joust (never defend—always attack)
- ✓ Push with maximum force (don't hold back)
- ✓ Never give up mid-joust (push until the ball is clearly on their side)
- ✓ Celebrate won jousts (fist pump, yell—build confidence and intimidate opponents)
- ✓ Learn from lost jousts (analyze what went wrong, adjust, win the next one)
The competitive advantage:
When opponents see you winning jousts consistently, they start to fear jousting with you. They hesitate. They don't push as hard. You've won the mental battle before the physical one even starts.
Position-Specific Joust Strategies
Middle Blockers (Most Jousts)
Why do middle blockers joust most?
Quick sets (Hut, 31) bring you face-to-face with opposing middles constantly.
Winning strategy:
- - Anticipate tight sets on bad passes
- - Jump explosively (you need maximum height)
- - Spread fingers wide (cover the ball completely)
- - Push with full body weight
- Win rate goal: 65%+ (you should dominate as a middle)
Outside Hitters (Attacking Jousts)
When you joust: Tight sets to Zone 4, balls set too close to the block.
Winning strategy:
- - If set is tight, prepare for joust immediately
- - Don't try to hit around the block—commit to the joust
- - Angle hand down aggressively
- - Push through the blocker's hands
- Win rate goal: 50-55%
Opposite Hitters
When you joust: Tight sets to Zone 2, back sets close to net.
Winning strategy:
- - Watch for tight back sets (common joust situation)
- - Jump late (let blocker touch first)
- - Use your hitting power to push through
- Win rate goal: 50-55%
Setters (Rare But Critical)
When you joust: Dump attempts, emergency plays.
Winning strategy:
- - Focus on technique and timing over strength
- - Spread fingers wide
- - Once you feel thee opposing player touch the ball from the other side push with wrists and forearms
- Win rate goal: 40-50% (you're less experienced, focus on technique)
Want the Complete Joust Mastery Checklist System?
This guide covers the fundamentals, but there's so much more to master:
- ✓ 5-step joust technique breakdown (0.5 seconds to victory)
- ✓ Weekly practice goals (Week 1- 4 progression)
- ✓ 5 joust-specific drills (hitter vs blocker competitions)
- ✓ Joust tracking system (measure your win percentage)
- ✓ 8-week strength training program (wrist, forearm, shoulder power)
- ✓ Mental preparation strategies (visualization, confidence building)
- ✓ Game situation tactics (early match, close score, match point)
Get the complete Joust Mastery Checklist with 50+ detailed checkpoints, practice drills, and tracking systems.
Joust in Volleyball:
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✓Learn exactly what to look for in your player's serving form so you can provide meaningful feedback.
✓Discover how to provide encouragement that actually improves performance and mental toughness.
✓Know exactly what to ask coaches to show you're engaged and help your player develop properly.
✓Simple, effective drills that don't require a gym or expensive equipment.
✓Understand the language coaches use so you can better support your player's development.
✓Help your player develop the psychological aspects of serving that many coaches don't have time to address.
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