How to Block a Volleyball

Step 1

Obtain a volleyball net that can be set up in your yard or at a park. A good product is the Franklin Advanced Volleyball Set, which sells on Amazon for around $42.

Step 2

Technique: Position your hands so that your palms are open and facing away from your body. "Ready position" means that your knees are slightly bend, and your arms are facing outward and your hands at about eye level.

Step 3

Bend your knees to prepare to jump, loading weight on your lower body.

Step 4

Jump off the ground in an attempt to get your hands over the net. Take your hands and instead of being at eye level, straighten your arms out so that they are over the net, preventing the attacker on the other side from hitting the ball by you.

Step 5

Make sure that your palms are open and your thumbs are pointed toward the sky. Try your best not to touch the net while you are blocking, as this is a violation and will result in a point for the other team.

Step 6

After blocking the ball, land on the ground with your hands still above your head in the blocking position. This is in case the attacker is still swinging at the ball when you land. Your hands will still be at a high level so that you are able to partially block the ball so that your team has a chance to control the ball and score a point.

Step 7

In order to work on your blobking technique, practice this in sets of 10, doing 10 jumps in a row before taking a break. Do 3 sets of 10 reps, and once you are done you can have a partner swing and hit a ball at your hands from the other side of the net.

Step 8

Make sure that your hands are penetrating the other side of the net, your shoulders are squared toward your opponent, and you are looking straight ahead, not down. Try to keep your eyes open if possible to follow the ball.