Four Volleyball Blocking Tips These're Basic Rules for Better Blocking

To learn what is legal and what common fouls and faults are allowed in the game read this article about volleyball blocking tips.

4 Volleyball Blocking Tips and block rules are established so players, teams and coaches compete fairly in their quest to win a match. (Ralph Aversen)

Blocking is the first line of defense.  

To block well you are required to

1. have good footwork  
2. have great body control while moving laterally and vertically 
3. read your hitter to anticipate where and how she plans to attack 
4. penetrate your hands over the net to block the ball by deflecting it back into your opponents court

1. You can jump and place your arms, hands and shoulders over the net to stop a hitter or setter from attacking the ball into your court. But...

• a volleyball player can't touch the net on the way up or on the way down with any parts of the body while the ball is in play.

While blocking in volleyball a player can't touch the net on the way up or on the way down with any parts of the body while the ball is in play. (Neon Tommy)

2. While blocking, your feet may come in contact with the centerline also known as the halfcourt line. But...

• a player can't step over the half court line during a rally in a way that keeps the opposing team from safely playing the ball.  

3. While your team is on defense you can block any attacked ball but...

• Only front row players in defense are allowed to block a volleyball. 

Volleyball blocking tips: Texas Longhorns double blockers are front row players in defense who are allowed to block a volleyball. (Ralph Aversen)

4. While on defense in the front row, you can come off the court on the opposing team's side to retrieve a ball back into your court but...

• while in pursuit of a ball a player, (usually its a blocker) is permitted to enter into the free zone of the opponent's court as long as doing so doesn't interfere with the action going on.  

This usually occurs when a blocker steps over the center line and for some reason, often in transition, lands and steps outside of the sideline (but into the free zone) of the opponent's court.

Volleyball blocking tips: Make sure when you get to the front row, you know what you can do and what you can't do while blocking a ball. (Ralph Aversen)

Because the free zone is considered the playing area of the court, this is legal and one of the few times a player is permitted to step across the center court line during a rally. 

Volleyball block rules are established so players, teams and coaches compete fairly in their quest to win a match. 

Volleyball blocking tip: Blocking is the first line of defense. You can jump and place your arms, hands and shoulders over the net to stop a hitter or setter from attacking the ball.

This page is written to provide you with important information that should help you improve your defensive skills in volleyball.  

Make sure when you get to the front row, you know what you can do and what you can't do while blocking a ball.

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. 

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