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May 16 -17 and 30 -31
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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
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! 


4 Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals Tactics That Stop Front Row Hitters

It's so important to know these four volleyball blocking fundaments to use with your team's defensive strategy so you can block more balls for points at the net.

What block volleyball tactics is your team going to use to stop an opposing team's attack hits? (Ralph Aversen)What volleyball blocking fundamentals and tactics are your team going to use to stop an opposing team's attack hits? (Ralph Aversen)


These volleyball blocking fundamentals are super important for you when you're in the front row because you need to be able to work together with your back row teammates on defense so everybody is on the same page about each other's responsibilities. 


Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals
Off Side Blocker Strategies

Cal State Bears off side blocker digs the tip attack hit from the opposing team which is aimed to land behind her blockers. (RRaiderstyle)Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals: Cal State Bears off side blocker digs the tip attack hit from the opposing team which is aimed to land behind her blockers. (RRaiderstyle)


The primary responsibility of the offside blocker in volleyball is to dig the sharp cross court hit, or depending on the team's defensive blocking strategies, may be to pick up any tips that are supposed to land to an open space behind your blockers or to the middle of their court.

In this picture below of the Arizona State volleyball players in defense, the left side player wearing the number 12 jersey was the offside blocker because the Cal Bears left side hitter (seen crouching at the net with the white jersey with the yellow stripe) was set the ball.

The Cal Berkeley hitter tipped the ball to the middle of the court over the Arizona State double block while the A State off side blocker attempts to dig the ball in defense.(RRaiderstyle)4 Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals Tactics That Stop Front Row Hitters: Cal Berkeley hitter tipped the ball to the middle of the court over the Arizona State double block while the A State off side blocker attempts to dig the ball in defense.(RRaiderstyle)

The Cal Berkeley hitter tipped the ball to the middle of the court over the Arizona State double block and is watching as the left side off blocker is playing defense in an effort to keep her tip off the ground.



Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals
What Is The Purpose Of  Having Two Players Block?


A two-player block reduces the amount of court a hitter can hit the ball to.


How To Block Volleyball Players: Two Texas blockers form a "double block" to take away the cross court area along the net which forces the hitter to tip (photo) (Ralph Arvesen)4 Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals Tactics That Stop Front Row Hitters: Two Texas blockers form a "double block" to take away the cross court area along the net which forces the hitter to tip (photo) (Ralph Arvesen)


With two players blocking against a hitter, the hitter doesn't have as many open spaces on the court to hit to and is forced to hit to the area of the court the double blockers are not covering.


How To Block Volleyball Players: The hitter may choose to hit down the line if the double block is "covering" or blocking their cross court. (Al Case)4 Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals Tactics That Stop Front Row Hitters: The hitter may choose to hit down the line if the double block is "covering" or blocking their cross court. (Al Case)


The hitter may choose to hit down the line if the double block is "covering" or blocking their ability to attack the ball to the cross court area along the net...


How To Block Volleyball Players: The hitter may choose to hit down the line if the double block is "covering" or blocking their cross court...(White and Blue Review)4 Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals Tactics That Stop Front Row Hitters: The hitter may choose to hit down the line if the double block is "covering" or blocking their cross court...(White and Blue Review)


....or they will hit hard cross court if the blocker volleyball tactics have the block take away the line.

Below in the picture of the players at the net, the Missouri State blockers have successfully taken away the hitter's ability to hit the line shot, so they are forcing her to hit around their hands past the block to the cross court area of their court.


Blocker Volleyball Tactics: The players at the net, the Missouri State blockers have successfully taken away the hitter's ability to hit the line shot, (White and Blue Review)4 Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals Tactics That Stop Front Row Hitters: The players at the net, the Missouri State blockers have successfully taken away the hitter's ability to hit the line shot, (White and Blue Review)


They closed the seam of the block and positioned themselves so their hands took away the hitter's option to hit down the line so they are "channeling the ball" to their defense laying in wait in their Zone 5 area.


4 Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals Tactics That Stop Front Row Hitters 
Why Do Teams Double Block?

Blocker Volleyball Tactics: A double block in front of a hitter "takes away" an area on the court like her line shot and to force her to hit cross court or vice versa. (Michael E. Johnston)Blocker Volleyball Tactics: A double block in front of a hitter "takes away" an area on the court like her line shot and to force her to hit cross court or vice versa. (Michael E. Johnston)

Why do teams place a double block at the net?

Teams place a double block in front of a hitter to:

Because its probably one of the blocker volleyball tactics they've decided to use against this particular hitter.

They may have decided to "take away" or to block her line shot and to force her to hit cross court where they probably have their libero or best defensive player waiting cross court ready to dig her spike up.

If they do, they can replay the ball and run the offense they planned to run in an effort to score a point.


How To Block Volleyball Players: Penn State Volleyball Player Tipping Over A Double Block (Photo by John O'Brien)4 Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals Tactics That Stop Front Row Hitters: Penn State Volleyball Player Tipping Over A Double Block (Photo by John O'Brien)


When faced with a double block, hitters are more likely to use other options like the "tip", where the hitter at the height of their jump will tip the ball softly over the double block in hopes that the ball lands in an open area of the court, out of the block's reach and away from the defense.


How To Block Volleyball Players: The hitter at the height of their jump will tip the ball softly over the double block in hopes that the ball lands in an open area of the court (Michael E. Johnston)4 Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals Tactics That Stop Front Row Hitters: The hitter at the height of their jump will tip the ball softly over the double block in hopes that the ball lands in an open area of the court (Michael E. Johnston)


4 Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals Tactics That Stop Front Row Hitters 
What Makes a Good Double Block?

The job of the players forming a double block is to keep the space between the two of them, especially the area between the blocker's hands, closed while they are block jumping.(White and Blue Review)4 Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals Tactics That Stop Front Row Hitters: The job of the players forming a double block is to keep the space between the two of them, especially the area between the blocker's hands, closed while they are block jumping.(White and Blue Review)

What makes a good double block?

If the players forming the double block don't keep their hands close enough to each other or close enough to their blocking partner's hands, it renders their block less effective.


How To Block Volleyball Players: When faced with a double block that hasnt closed up the seam between them, a hitter can hit through the hands of the two blockers.How To Block Volleyball Players: When faced with a double block that hasnt closed up the seam between them, a hitter can hit through the hands of the two blockers.

Instead of forming a solid wall that should stop the hitter, they have a hole in that wall that a savvy hitter can aim for and hit through.


How To Block Volleyball Players: Villanova attacker hits through the seam of the North Carolina double block. (Charlie J)How To Block Volleyball Players: Villanova attacker hits through the seam of the North Carolina double block. (Charlie J)


The job of the players forming a double block is to keep the space between the two of them, especially the area between the blocker's hands, closed while they are block jumping.


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)

4 Volleyball Blocking Fundamentals Tactics That Stop Front Row Hitters 
Where do you need to go now?

Here are three options: 

  1. Learn more about the volleyball words, terms and tactics 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 Tactics section in the drop down menu at the top of the page. 

Read more about tactics used in volleyball on these pages. 



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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.


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

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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

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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.

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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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Read more about terms used in volleyball on these pages.