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Coach April's
May 30 -31
Spiking and Hitting clinics

COACH APRIL’S MAY HITTING CLINICS AT ITS ALL VOLLEYBALL For serious players ages 11–17 who want to improve: - approach footwork - hitting mechanics - power - ball placement - attacking confidence Perfect for: NYS players newer club players club travel players who need more focused hitting work DATES May 2–3 May 16–17 May 30–31 TIMES 10am–11am ages 11–13 11am–12pm ages 13–15 12pm–1pm ages 15–16 1pm–2pm ages 16–17 $40 one session $80 two sessions $120 three sessions Email info@improveyourvolley.com to register today
COACH APRIL’S MAY HITTING CLINICS AT ITS ALL VOLLEYBALL For serious players ages 11–17 who want to improve: - approach footwork - hitting mechanics - power - ball placement - attacking confidence Perfect for: NYS players newer club players club travel players who need more focused hitting work DATES May 2–3 May 16–17 May 30–31 TIMES 10am–11am ages 11–13 11am–12pm ages 13–15 12pm–1pm ages 15–16 1pm–2pm ages 16–17 $40 one session $80 two sessions $120 three sessions Email info@improveyourvolley.com to register today

Email: info@improveyourvolley.com for info or to register for this weekend's clinics! 


Whats The Correct Ready Position In Volleyball For Blockers At The Net

The ready position in volleyball for blocking means your feet are shoulder width apart and parallel to each other with whole body squared and facing the net.  

This ready position in volleyball for blocking permits you to jump up quickly to penetrate your hands over the net to block a ball without touching the net on your way up (Bill Shaner)This ready position in volleyball for blocking permits you to jump up quickly to penetrate your hands over the net to block a ball without touching the net on your way up (Bill Shaner)


My blocking advice starts with the correct ready position at the net. 

When learning how to block a ball correctly, you want to be in a "ready position" at the net before the rally starts.

The "ready position in volleyball blocking" starts with your feet at shoulder width apart and parallel to each other and both feet are perpendicular to the net.

For the lower body positioning, your hips and whole body are squared up and facing the net.

Knees are in a slight squat in a ready loaded position which allows you to either

a) side step,

b) cross over step or

c) shuffle step along the net

either to the right or left or to jump up quickly if they need to stop a quick attack.


Ready position In Volleyball Blocking: Illini blockers watching the opposing setter in a loaded Blocking Ready Position in Volleyball (Photo Richard Yuan) (Richard Yuan)Ready Position in Volleyball: Illini blockers watching the opposing setter in a loaded Blocking Ready Position in Volleyball (Photo Richard Yuan) (Richard Yuan)

You, the blocker, should be about half your arm's length away from the net.

This ready position in volleyball blocking safely permits you  to jump up to penetrate your hands over the net to block a ball without touching the net on your way up which you would be whistled for.

The starting position for your arms are with elbows bent at 90 degrees and with hands, widespread fingers and open palms facing the net just at or above your shoulder level.


The ready position in volleyball blocking for arms: elbows bent at 90 degrees with hands, widespread fingers and open palms facing the net just at/above shoulder level. (Aversen)The ready position in volleyball blocking for arms: elbows bent at 90 degrees with hands, widespread fingers and open palms facing the net just at/above shoulder level. (Aversen)

Your hands need to stay at the level of your shoulders or a little bit higher.

When blocking your hands and arms are in a ready volleyball position so you go up and block the ball, sealing the net, using very little time and movement to get over the net.When blocking your hands and arms are in a ready volleyball position so you go up and block the ball, sealing the net, using very little time and movement to get over the net.

When the block is performed, your hands and arms are in a ready volleyball position to just go up and block the ball, sealing the net, using minimal additional time and movement to get over the net.


Middle Blocker
Ready Position in Volleyball


Some coaches advise their middle blockers  to have their hands even slightly higher.

Say, just above their head when they're in their "ready position in volleyball" because this places their hands closer to the position they need, to be able to penetrate the plane of the net faster, in order to stop a quick attack.


How is the ready position in high school varsity volleyball used?


Before the start of a rally, in defense at the net, your upper body ready volleyball position should be with your shoulders squared up--that means parallel---and facing the net.

The blockers in their ready position should always be looking at the opposing team's setter, the ball she sets and the available hitters across the net.


The blockers in their ready volleyball position should always be looking at the opposing team's setter, the ball she sets and the available hitters across the net. (Aversen)The blockers in their ready volleyball position should always be looking at the opposing team's setter, the ball she sets and the available hitters across the net. (Aversen)

Blockers should call out and identify to their teammates which hitters are eligible to hit.


Ready Position in Volleyball Advice For High School Varsity Front Row Blockers

Blockers in ready volleyball position calling out the block. As a front row blocker on defense, you should never turn around to watch your server serve the ball. (Laurie T Mayers)Blockers in ready volleyball position calling out the block. As a front row blocker on defense, you should never turn around to watch your server serve the ball. (Laurie T Mayers)


As a front row blocker on defense, you should never turn around to watch your server serve the ball.

If you do this it means you are turning your back on the opposing team and not paying attention to what the opposing team's offense could be and who could be running an attack. 

This means you are not identifying who could be getting the next ball from the opposing setter or even more importantly which hitter could be running an offensive attack that will bring them to your area of the net.

In the photo above, you can tell that the front row blockers are paying attention to the other team's hitters in serve receive and that they are calling out the locations and jersey numbers of these hitters that are in the front row.

They are also holding up their fingers to indicate how many front row hitters are in the opposing team's front row.

By doing this, they are making sure that their  backrow players know

  • how many hitters could be hitting the ball and
  • where these hitters are located in serve receive.


All these actions are a part of the front row player's ready position in volleyball for blocking responsibilities.

This has been an important message by your favorite volleyball coach! That's me!!

Thanks for visiting.

Be sure to check out more of my volleyball articles by clicking one of the links below!  (April Chapple)

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Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience. 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. Sign up now!Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience. 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. Sign up now!


Follow me on Pinterest Volleybragswag to improve your game even faster!

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. 



High School Varsity Volleyball: 
Where Do You Go From Here?


What do you need to do now? You have three options: 

  1. Learn more about Serving and Basic Skills
  2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page  Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
  3. Or visit the pages in the How to Play Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page to get started. 

You might like these articles for high school varsity volleyball players. 


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.

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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 $17.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.

Volleyball Player Whisperer in Vegas Restoring Power + Peace + Passion To Burnt Out Players, High Performance Volleyball Coach, ImproveYourVolley Web Author, Peace Love Volleyball CollectionVolleyball Player Whisperer in Vegas Restoring Power + Peace + Passion To Burnt Out Players, High Performance Volleyball Coach, ImproveYourVolley Web Author, Peace Love Volleyball Collection

AUTHOR BIO

April Chapple is an elite private volleyball trainer, former USA National Team member, and University of Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee who has coached in Las Vegas for 15+ years, training hundreds of athletes and helping numerous players reach college volleyball, including Division I standouts.

She's also the head coach for girls and boys 18s at Squad VBC and offers coaches consulting on technical teaching and player development. Connect with April on LinkedIn or at ImproveYourVolley.com, where her eye for overlooked talent sets her apart.


From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?

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Click to Download Your Pre Serving Ritual Mastery Checklist pdf:

🎯Volleyball Pre Serving Ritual Guide -

Players! Learn How To Transform Your Serve from Weak to Weapon

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🎯Parent's Volleyball Serving Checklist Guide

Parents! Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves (Even If You've Never Played)


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Hi there!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you learned something today that will help you reach your volleyball goals.

Be sure to subscribe to my email newsletter so you can learn more each week!

Stay strong! Stay motivated!

-Coach April


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as seen as on USA News InfluencerTennessee Athletics Honors April Chapple at Champions Weekend for Legendary Volleyball Achievements
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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! In It To Win It Tournament, May 2-4, 2025 Tournament A-1 Vegas Volleyball Club Gold Medalists, 18s Premier Division

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!

A-1 Vegas Volley VBC

    In It To Win It      Tournament   

May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament

Gold Medalists

18s Premier Division



Vegas Volleyball's Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Moms with Peace Love Volleyball Shirts

In the city that never sleeps, my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are your 24/7 support system. Las Vegas pulses with endless energy, and as a volleyball mom, you're the powerhouse behind your player's non-stop journey.In the city that never sleeps, my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are your 24/7 support system.
More than just clothing, my shirts are a tribute to the tireless spirit of Vegas volleyball moms.More than just clothing, my shirts are a tribute to the tireless spirit of Vegas volleyball moms.
With motivational messages and vibrant designs, they mirror the dynamic energy of our city while celebrating your constant presence in your player's volleyball adventure.With motivational messages and vibrant designs, they mirror the dynamic energy of our city while celebrating your constant presence in your player's volleyball adventure.
In a town that's always on, you're the ever-present force driving your player's success.In a town that's always on, you're the ever-present force driving your player's success.

Ready to energize your volleyball mom journey?

Subscribe to my 'Producing Powerful Passionate Peaceful Players' email list above on ImproveYourVolley.com.

You'll receive energy-boosting tips, exclusive insights from me,        Coach April Chapple on maintaining momentum in volleyball.

Let's power up the Vegas volleyball scene together!


Struggling with the unique demands of being a volleyball mom in the desert? My Peace Love Volleyball shirts offer both comfort and inspiration for the challenges you face. From dealing with intense heat during outdoor practices to long drives across the valley for tournaments, Vegas volleyball moms face obstacles that others might not understand.Dear Vegas Volleyball Mom, I know that balancing Vegas life with volleyball commitments can feel like walking a tightrope, but my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are here to support you every step of the way.
As the Vegas volleyball scene grows, so does the pressure on players and moms alike. My Peace Love Volleyball shirts are here to remind you of your inner peace amidst the chaos.As the Vegas volleyball scene grows, so does the pressure on players and moms alike. My Peace Love Volleyball shirts are here to remind you of your inner peace amidst the chaos.
In a city known for its high energy, finding moments of calm can be challenging, especially when juggling the demands of volleyball life.In a city known for its high energy, finding moments of calm can be challenging, especially when juggling the demands of volleyball life.
My volleyball mom shirts aren't just about looking good - they're about feeling good too.My volleyball mom shirts aren't just about looking good - they're about feeling good too.
With messages that promote mindfulness and positivity, they serve as a wearable reminder to breathe, center yourself, and approach each volleyball challenge with a peaceful mindset.With messages that promote mindfulness and positivity, they serve as a wearable reminder to breathe, center yourself, and approach each volleyball challenge with a peaceful mindset.
In the fast-paced world of Vegas volleyball, these moments of zen can make all the difference.In the fast-paced world of Vegas volleyball, these moments of zen can make all the difference.

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