The key to great blocking lies in developing good court vision and judgment. If you learn to watch the ball, the setters, and the hitters, then you can begin predicting where a ball is going to be set long before the play actually happens. This will allow you to get in position for the block and time your leap in plenty of time to get the job done. The best way to develop court vision is simply to watch your opponents and pay close attention. Learn how particular players pass and set and which side they seem to prefer moving towards. Identify the front row players and learn to recognize their different styles of attack. How do they approach the ball? Do they hit straight down or do they try angled shots when attacking? The more you know about your opponent, the easier it is to predict their movements and make a solid block.

When moving into position for a block, use a shuffle-step to move from one area to another. This will keep you from turning your hips away from the net and help you stay squared towards the opponent. The shuffle-step will also prevent you from tripping up on your feet or stepping into another teammate’s area. Remember to constantly communicate with your teammates to let them know where you are and what you are doing. This will prevent confusion and collisions on the court.

A blocker’s ability to time and execute their jumps is also crucial. A block jump requires balance and stability, and you need to be able to consistently put yourself in the right position. This means not jumping too early or too late and not letting your momentum carry you sideways and past the opponent.

When you go up for the ball, keep your fingers firm and spread out, and make sure your thumbs are pointing up so that the ball doesn’t jam your fingers. Don’t allow enough space between your hands for the ball to sneak through, and learn to angle your hands and fingers to deflect balls back at your opponent and not out of bounds. If the ball is able to get through your hands or is deflected past your fingers, you may wind up with a serious facial bruise, so work on smothering the ball and sending it back where it came from.