4 Volleyball Blocking Drills Players Learn To Stop Balls At The Net

These are four volleyball blocking drills players learn at our classes and training so that they learn to move quickly while staying close to the net.   

Blocking Drills Volleyball Beginners Do At Our ClassesBlocking Drills Volleyball Beginners Do At Our Classes


There are a couple of volleyball blocking drills players do in our Volleyball Voice Boot Camp classes and semi-private training to help you improve your blocking skills at the net. 

Blocking in volleyball is a defensive skill that front row players use to try and stop the opposing team from hitting the ball in your court when your team is on defense. 




To block a ball effectively you need to be able to move closely and quickly along the net without touching it, to follow the ball that's set by the opposing setter to her opposing hitter in front of you.   

Then you need to be able to time your block jump so your open palmed hands reach and penetrate over the net just before the opposing hitter hits or contacts the ball to stop it from crossing the net into your court. 


The Volleyball Blocking Drills Players Do To Improve Block Jump Timing Against An Opposing Hitter


One of the simple volleyball drills for beginners I do often is to have a player standing on a box on one side of the net.

Their hands and arms are penetrating over the net. I will hit into their blocking hands which should be angled towards the middle of my court before I hit the ball.

I will hit 10 - 12 balls into their block before giving them a chance to shake out their arms and do another set. 

This gives the player a chance to get comfortable

  • watching or reading the hitter 
  • interpreting the cues that the hitter is showing them and adjusting accordingly
  • feeling a hard hit spike and getting use to having their blocking hands penetrating the other side of the net
  • reinforcing how strong their shoulders need to be while pressing them over the net




Advanced Volleyball Blocking Drills Players Do To Improve Blocking Footwork Along The Net


In every practice I do and I teach my coaches to do a blocking footwork sequence drill at the net. 

It's a series of multi patterned steps and movements that the players do while moving in and out of their "loaded" ready blocking position and moving along the net. 



The focus is to 

  • increase body control at the net while not touching the net
  • moving along the net while not touching the net
  • performing various jump series and footwork series while staying the same arm distance from the net without having to adjust their position
  • using peripheral and wide vision to be able to see their hitter and feel their teammate blocking next to them without having to turn and look at them
These volleyball blocking drills players do in our training and classes will help you control your body so you can increase the number of blocks you have in a match. (Jaroslaw)These volleyball blocking drills players do in our training and classes will help you control your body so you can increase the number of blocks you have in a match. (Jaroslaw)


Now hopefully some of these volleyball blocking drills players do in our training and classes will help you control your body so you can increase the number of blocks you successfully perform in a match.



Frequently Asked Questions About Volleyball's Middle Blocker Position




3. What are the primary responsibilities of a middle blocker?

Middle blockers must:

- Lead the blocking defense at the net
- Close blocks with outside blockers
- Run quick attack plays in transition
- Communicate blocking assignments
- Read opposing setter's tendencies
- Provide offensive options in the middle
- Help defend against tips and dumps

4. Why did you choose a gorilla to represent middle blockers?

I selected the gorilla because of its natural characteristics that parallel elite middle blockers: dominant presence, exceptional strength, surprising agility, and natural leadership abilities.

Like a silverback gorilla commanding its territory, middle blockers must control the net with authority and power.



8. How do I know if the middle blocker position is right for me?

You might excel as a middle blocker if you:

- Are typically taller than your teammates
- Have good vertical jumping ability
- Can move quickly laterally
- Enjoy the leadership aspect of defense
- Have strong court awareness
- Communicate well with teammates
- Like being involved in every play

9. What are common challenges middle blockers face?

Middle blockers often deal with:

- Constant movement along the net
- Quick transition requirements
- High energy demands
- Complex reading responsibilities
- Need for consistent timing
- Leadership expectations
- Multiple blocking assignments

10. How can wearing position-specific gear improve middle blocker performance?

My gorilla t-shirt collection is meant to:

- Reinforce the dominant mindset needed
- Build confidence through position identity
- Remind players of their leadership role
- Create team unity through shared symbolism
- Be a constant reminder about one's blocking responsibilities
- Inspire aggressive net play
- Promote the middle blocker's crucial role


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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. 




Volleyball Blocking Drills:
Where Do You Go From Here?


We know where you need to go now! Here are three options: 

  1. Learn more about Blocking by clicking one of the links in 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 Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page to get started.  

Read more about volleyball blocking drills on these pages. 

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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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.


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

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Stay strong! Stay motivated!

-Coach April


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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!

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May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament

Gold Medalists

18s Premier Division



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