A player once told me, “Blocking is the biggest adrenaline rush in volleyball.” (Maybe that’s why we have hard core cheers like “the roof is on fire.”) She backs up her point by screaming and cheering every time she gets a touch in a game. In my mind (and hers), there’s no denying, blocking is a pretty big deal. Plus, it’s a mental game changer. One decent block can shut down a hitter for the game. “Yeah, that’s right. I just pwned you.”

Here are a couple videos to demo a style of block called “Swing.” Here are a couple of advantages:

• Use your arms to jump higher: It’s physics.
• Avoid tools (and I’m not talking Dewalt): Jumping straight up without the swing may put you at risk for an easier tool. The swing helps you angle your hands/arms toward the court more naturally, almost eliminating the chance for a tool.
• Quicker movements: A few large, fluid steps will set up a quicker block than a little shuffle. It’s just like an approach to hit. Could you imagine shuffling to hit? Then, why shuffle to block?

We use walls as a good way to teach the girls where they should be facing in the footwork. For teaching sake, let’s say the net is North of the blocker.

The following video is for an outside hitter swinging to the left. (but just do the opposite for a right side blocker)

1. Move both your hands down your sides as you take a crossover step to the left.
2. As you bring your feet back together and plant to jump, swing your arms back and face the west wall.
3. Jump up and make a right hand turn to face the net. Reach your hands and arms over the net (some of us maybe just hands – we’ll talk about “soft blocks” later).
4. Bring your arms almost full circle, land on the ground facing the East wall.

Bonus video!!

This next video is of a middle hitter blocking on both right side and outside. If you’re thinking “Where have I seen that girl before?” She is the same girl who demonstrated the outside block in the above video. She’s just that awesome (It’s ok if you’re jealous).

The steps are the same but did you notice there’s another step in there? (It’s ok if you missed the step, go ahead watch again) See that? She takes one side step first. (This first step is key to getting all the way out to close the block.) Then she crosses over just like the outside block. “Close the block” means, get all the way over there, join your teammate, jump together and “roooooooof!” That’s why they call it a double block. Two girls jumping together make one big monster double block. If you don’t close the block, hope that you have smart diggers who can be in the right spot to compensate for your lack-of-closing-the-block-ness.

What’s your blocking cheer? Don’t be embarrassed, every team I’ve ever played on has a blocking cheer. In fact, “The Roof is on Fire” was a popular song when I played in high school. Enough said. Anyone looking for a good blocking cheer? Share yours in the comments section below.