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- Volleyball Blocking
- Two Volleyball Blocking Strategies:
Two Volleyball Blocking Strategies: The Stuff Block and Read Blocking
There are two volleyball blocking strategies players use in defense to stop hitters from spiking the ball across the net, one is read blocking and one is the stuff block.
What's a stuff block?
A stuff block is a volleyball block that was so efficiently performed that it didn't allow the hitter enough time to really finish his or her full hit to the ball so that it crosses the plane of the net... so the ball when its blocked stays on the hitter's side of the net.
The blocker was able to penetrate their hands so far over the net that they literally "stuffed" the ball back into the opposing team's court leaving the hitter no opposing court to hit to.
Don't miss this volleyball blocking clinic that the BYU women's volleyball team puts on in one of their matches which ends in a stuff block and a point for BYU.
Volleyball Blocking Strategies:
What is read blocking?
Read blocking occurs when a blocker has been assigned a particular hitter to block and as the play develops they follow, or read where their assigned hitter is going to attack the ball and the read how their assigned hitter is going to contact the ball.
The blocker's job now is to follow that player no matter where she is and to block her based on what she thinks she sees the hitter doing.
The read block in volleyball occurs most often in higher levels of competition and in beach volleyball where a blocker will read the hitter in an attempt to anticipate how to block them or to decide what area of the court they will take away from that hitter.
As a blocker it takes a combination of timing, anticipation, and quick reflexes to be able to read the hitter's body language and then position yourself in the right spot at the right time to stop a hitter by blocking them.
Volleyball Blocking Strategies: Read Blocking Volleyball Technique
The Importance of Keeping Your Eyes Open When You Block So You Can Read The Hitter
Keeping your eyes open while you are block jumping is another secret to good read blocking because if you watch the ball for too long then you can't see until its too late where the hitter intends to hit the ball.
Volleyball Blocking Strategies: Iowa Players Reading The Block And Sealing The Net Photo by Matt Van WinkleAbove, in the picture of Iowa volleyball players blocking, no. 17 has her eyes open throughout the whole blocking process watching and reading her hitter to see where she goes and where her hitting arm is angled so that she can get clues as to how she needs to angle her blocking hands and arms so that she can block her.
Volleyball Blocking Strategies
What does “BSBH” Mean?
What does “BSBH” mean?
it means Ball- Setter-Ball-Hitter and is one of the volleyball blocking strategies used by players to block a ball.
As a defensive player at the net, which is what a blocker is, you will block a ball by
* watching the ball while the opposing team's passer passes it to their setter
* then you'll watch the setter to see where she sets the ball from, how fast she sets it, and who she intends to set the ball to
* once the setter sets the ball you'll watch the ball, tracking the set as it leaves the setters hands and travels to the hitter
* finally you'll watch the hitter to quickly determine where her spike approach is taking her to meet the ball and see where her arm is swinging so you pick up clues on where she intends to spike the ball
This eye sequence pattern is called “BSBH” or Ball - Setter- Ball - Hitter.
Its what both, the diggers. in the back row and blockers in the front row do or better yet 'how they watch the offense' in order to try and be in the right place at the right time in order to stop a ball at the net..or keep the ball from hitting their court floor.
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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 Strategies:
Where Do You Go From Here?
We know where you need to go now! Here are three options:
- Learn more about Blocking by clicking one of the links in the Related Links below.
- Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
- 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 the volleyball technique and terms on these pages
Four Types of Volleyball Blocks Varsity Volleyball Players Should Know
These blocking terms describe the four types of volleyball blocks varsity players know to do: one-on-one blocking, double block, triple block and swing blocking.
What's The Block in Volleyball?: Where Do Blockers Place There Hands?
Another way to learn how to block in volleyball efficiently is to keep the palms of your hands up close to your shoulders in a ready position before the rally.
2 Double Block Volleyball Skills Help Front Row Players To Block Balls
Two double block volleyball techniques help you improve blocking the ball at the net. Learn skills like how to hold your hands, how to jump and what to watch.
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 Is Blocking In Volleyball? Rules That Varsity And JV Players Know
What is blocking in volleyball? When the serving team's on defense with 3 front row blockers who try to stop opposing hitters from hitting into their court.
Volleyball Block Training Learn 3 Ways Blockers Stay Ready At The Net
Volleyball Block Training: Learn 3 ways to block more balls by staying an arm's length away from the net, stay square to the net and how to take cross court.
3 Types of Blocks in Volleyball Block Assist Block Touch Block Attempt
I describe 3 volleyball blocking terms and 3 types of blocks in volleyball specifically what is the block touch, the block assist, and the block attempt.
Blocking Tips Volleyball Players Use To Seal The Net With The Block
My blocking tips volleyball players use to improve technique used when sealing the net with arms close to the net when stopping hitters from attacking the ball.
Four Blocking in Volleyball Tips To Improve Your Defensive Skills Fast
An important blocking in volleyball tip is to watch the hitter you are going to block in order to pick up important clues that'll help you block the hitter.
Middle Blocker Tips! Hey Middle Blockers Who Are You Gonna Block?
These middle blocker tips help you decide if you need to block certain hitters cross court or down the line and what team blocking strategies are going to be.
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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 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
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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!
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In It To Win It Tournament
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