Read block / blind block

The set comes from behind the blocker, so he does not see the ball until it is already over his head. From that moment he has about a second to choose where he goes and when he jumps. That takes away the one piece of information young players normally block on: the flight path of the ball.

2 players 8 phases ± 15 min 6 balls, half court with a net From U17 upwards

Phase 1 of 8Coach with the ball behind the block, hitter ready on the other side

Blocker Hitter on the other side Coach Ball

This animation comes straight out of the Koach app. In the app you play it at your own pace and the positions carry your players' real names.

Open in the app

How the drill runs

What you are training

Read blocking: the set goes over the blocker's head; timing and position come entirely from the hitter's approach.

Deciding on the basis of the hitter's approach instead of the flight path of the ball.
Moving after the set: see the direction first, then leave.
Timing the jump off the hitter's take-off, not off the moment the ball starts to drop.

Coaching points

Do not leave until you see where the ball is going.

A block that is already moving with the setter's arms is in the right place when it guesses right and nowhere at all when it guesses wrong. Waiting costs you less than guessing wrong.

Jump when the hitter plants his last step, not when the ball drops.

Jumping too early is the most common blocking mistake in youth volleyball: you are already coming down by the time the ball is contacted. On a high outside set there is half a second between his take-off and yours.

Watch the ball until it is over you, and after that only the hitter.

If you keep tracking the ball, you end up with your head tilted back and you miss his approach. The ball comes to his hand on its own.

Take away the angle your defense is not covering with your inside hand.

A block that tries to cover everything covers nothing. Agree on which angle is closed off, and the players behind you know where to stand.

Variations

Easier: The coach sets to the same side every time, so only the timing of the jump is left.
Harder: The coach alternates a high set outside and a short one in the middle. The blocker has to decide for himself whether he moves or stays put.
With six players: Two blockers and two hitters with one coach. After three balls the blockers switch with the hitters.
As a game: The hitter scores when the ball lands in the court, the blocker when the ball comes back down on the attacking side. Ten balls, then swap roles.

Volleyball drills

4 players · 6 phases SafeVolley base round Warm-up 3 players · 5 phases Shoulder activation with band Warm-up 2 players · 6 phases Dynamic movement patterns Warm-up 5 players · 5 phases Core plank with rotation Warm-up

Read on in the knowledge base: read blocking or commit blocking · the signals that let you see a set coming · organizing your block against a strong hitter