You Don't Know These Blocker Terms Used in Volleyball? Change That Now

These six terms used in volleyball blocking practice are words and volleyball jargon coaches use to describe blocking technique used to stop an attack hit. 

Blocker Terms Used in Volleyball: The block is the first line of defense where the blockers attempt to stop any attack hits by the hitters on the opposing team. These six basic blocking terms used in volleyball closing the block, penetration over the net, screen, seam, off side blocker, double block, (Mark Shaiken photo)

The volleyball block is the first line of defense for the serving team where the front row blockers attempt to stop any attack hits by the hitters on the opposing team. 

These six basic blocking terms used in volleyball

• closing the block
• penetration over the net
• screen
• seam
• off side blocker
• double block

explain various blocking techniques blockers need to know to perform the act of blocking at the net while on defense in the front row. 

You Don't Know These Blocker Terms Used in Volleyball? Change That Now: The volleyball block is the first line of defense for the serving team where the front row blockers attempt to stop any attack hits by the hitters on the opposing team. (Matt Van Winkle)

You Don't Know These Blocker Terms Used in Volleyball? Change That Now: Texas middle blocker (#21) closes the block covers holes between her and outside blocker (Micaya White #1) making it difficult for the opposing hitter to hit the ball between them. (Ralph Arvesen)

Closing the block occurs when two players while jumping to block an attack hit at the net, successfully close off any holes, or seams or spaces that are created between them when blocking. 

If they do this successfully, (like the blockers in the photo) then the hitter they are blocking, can't hit the ball between their hands or at the seam.

You Don't Know These Blocker Terms Used in Volleyball? Change That Now: The hitter is now forced to hit over the block, outside the block, or try to wipe the ball off of the outside blocker's hands in an attempt to score a point or win a side out.

The hitter is now forced to

• hit over the block
• outside the block
• try to wipe the ball off of the outside blocker's hands 

in an attempt to score a point or win a side out.

Penetration refers to the act of a player penetrating or reaching with their hands and arms far over the plane of the net at the highest point of her block jump in her attempt to stop the ball from crossing the net into her team's court. 

Blocker Terms Used in Volleyball: Penetrating the plane of the net...Micaya White reaches as far over as possible to close the block. (Ralph Arvesen)

She does this by placing her arms and hands as far over the net as possible at the highest height of her block jump so that she can stop the ball on the opponent's side of the net after they've attacked the ball.

The photo shows the Texas player #1 "roofing" the opposing hitter by penetrating the plane of the net by stretching her arms as far over the net as possible at the highest height of her jump, which results, as you can see, in the ball staying on the hitter's side of the court in other words, successfully blocking the hitter.

Blocker Terms Used in Volleyball: Texas blockers arms go up instead of going over the net. (Michael E. Johnston)

You Don't Know These Blocker Terms Used in Volleyball? Change That Now: The blockers can't form a "wall" or a screen with their bodies that prevents the passers on the opposing team from seeing the server serve the ball. (Ralph Arvesen)

A screen is when one, two or three players on defense at the net,  intentionally or unintentionally, stand so close to each other that one or more of the opposing team players in serve receive  can't see the server or the ball in the server's hands.

A screen is illegal according to basic volleyball rules. 

You Don't Know These Blocker Terms Used in Volleyball? Change That Now: The blockers of a team on defense cannot form a "wall" or a screen with their bodies that prevents the passer or passers on the opposing team from seeing the server serve the ball.

The blockers of a team on defense cannot form a "wall" or a screen with their bodies that prevents the passer or passers on the opposing team from seeing the server serve the ball.

In beach volleyball doubles, if one player obscures the view of the server before the start of the rally, the opposing team can stop the play and insist that the blocker re-position themselves so both receivers have a clear view of the server.

Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience. These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis. Sign up now!

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I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 

Terms Used in Volleyball
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1. Learn more about the volleyball words, terms and terminology 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 Terms Used in Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page. 

1. Improve Your Volleyball Performance with Private Volleyball Coach April Chapple
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2. Words Used In Volleyball: Basic Terms, Slang, Phrases, Jargon, Lingo
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3. Blocker Terms Used in Volleyball Blocking Skills Practice Players Know

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