NOVEMBER Group Training with Coach April Registration is NOW open for Group Training Sessions with me Coach April For BOYS on SATURDAYS 11/8, 11/22, 11/29 For GIRLS on SUNDAYS 11/9, 11/23, 11/30 From 10-11am at the Its All Volleyball gym. Email: info@improveyourvolley.com to register or for more informationNOVEMBER Group Training with Coach April Registration is NOW open for Group Training Sessions with me Coach April For BOYS on SATURDAYS 11/8, 11/22, 11/29 For GIRLS on SUNDAYS 11/9, 11/23, 11/30 From 10-11am at the Its All Volleyball gym. Email: info@improveyourvolley.com to register or for more information


The Volleyball Block:
Improve Defensive Skills With Tips on Blocking

Improve your volleyball block and front row defensive skills by focusing on good footwork movement along the net and great body control when blocking. 

Knowing how to put up an effective volleyball block will keep the opposing team from scoring points from their front row while they are on offense.(Matt Pendleton photo)Knowing how to put up an effective volleyball block will keep the opposing team from scoring points from their front row while they are on offense.(Matt Pendleton photo)


The block is your squad's first line of defense against an opposing team’s outside hitters or any attack hits by their players in the middle blocker position.

The block in volleyball is one of the most dynamic and most exciting parts of this crazy game we love to play.

The volleyball block is your squad's first line of defense against an opposing team’s outside hitters or any attack hits by their players in the middle blocker position. (Matt Van Winkle)The volleyball block is your squad's first line of defense against an opposing team’s outside hitters or any attack hits by their players in the middle blocker position. (Matt Van Winkle)

The Volleyball Block
Tips on Volleyball Blocking

After serving every front row player on your team should be focused on keeping your opponent from spiking the ball down onto your court's floor. (Ralph Aversen)After serving every front row player on your team should be focused on keeping your opponent from spiking the ball down onto your court's floor. (Ralph Aversen)


At the beginning of a rally, after the whistle blows and your team serves the ball into the opposing team's court, every front row player on your team should be focused on keeping your opponent from spiking the ball down onto your court's floor.


Watch what "BSBH" means! 


Once the ball hits the floor or hits a blocker's hands and goes out of bounds, that's a point for the opposing team, and you don't want that to happen.

Knowing how to put up an effective volleyball block will keep the opposing team from scoring points from their front row while they are on offense.


Florida Gators Volleyball block (Matt Pendleton Photo)Florida Gators Volleyball block (Matt Pendleton Photo)


At the beginning of a rally, if your team is on defense, after the referee blows their whistle and your team serves the ball into the other team's court, the players in zone 2, zone 3 and zone 4 on your side should be laser focused on keeping your opponent from spiking the ball across the net and into your court.

In order to do that the front row players need to start by checking their upper and lower body blocking ready position so that they can be as efficient and as fast as they can.

So that when they move along the net also known as moving laterally, which means from side-to-side along the net before jumping to block a ball their opponent is trying to hit, they are in a well balanced position to stop the ball.


Before jumping to block a ball their opponent is trying to hit, blockers should be in a well balanced position to stop the ball.Before jumping to block a ball their opponent is trying to hit, blockers should be in a well balanced position to stop the ball.

As a blocker, you need to position yourself in a way to create a barrier using your arms and hands to deflect any hit or spike attempts from an opposing team's spiker back into their court.


Volleyball Block: You need to position yourself to create a barrier using your arms and hands to deflect any hit or spike attempts from an opposing spiker back into their court. (Aversen)Volleyball Block: You need to position yourself to create a barrier using your arms and hands to deflect any hit or spike attempts from an opposing spiker back into their court. (Aversen)

You are in fact trying to make yourself into a human wall, and that wall should prevent an outside hitter or middle hitter or back row attacker from the team on the other side of the net from hitting the ball onto your side of the court.




Tips on Volleyball Blocking:
What Should Your Feet, Knees and Lower Body Be Doing?

As a blocker you want to start in a balanced position with your feet so that they are parallel to each other. (Ralph Aversen)As a blocker you want to start in a balanced position with your feet so that they are parallel to each other. (Ralph Aversen)


As always when I coach volleyball skills to players, I like to start at the bottom, with what you're supposed to do with your feet.

What should your feet be doing and where should they be positioned?

  • You want to start in a balanced position with your feet so that they are parallel to each other.


Olympic gold medalist, David Lee gives a master class on the block in volleyball. 


  • They should be perpendicular to the net so that you can maintain a balanced position that will allow you to move quickly to your right, to your left or backwards off the net to get back in defense or to transition so you can begin your spike approach if necessary.

You want to be in a position to be able to move laterally along the net quickly, which means your knees should be in a slight squat.

This is also called a "loaded" position. 


You want to be in a position to be able to move laterally along the net quickly, which means your knees should be in a slight squat.You want to be in a position to be able to move laterally along the net quickly, which means your knees should be in a slight squat.


The ideal position for your lower body is to have your hips, midsection and upper body “squared to the net.”

When you hear the phrase squared to the net, it means that your body is completely parallel to the net. When all parts of your body are facing the net then your body is squared up to the net.


Thanks for visiting. Be sure to check out more of my volleyball passing articles by clicking one of the links below! (April Chapple)Thanks for visiting. Be sure to check out more of my volleyball passing articles by clicking one of the links below! (April Chapple)

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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!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!


Follow me on Pinterest Volleybragswag to improve your game even faster!

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. 



How To Play Volleyball:
Where Do You Go From Here?


We know where you need to go now! Here are three options: 

  1. Learn more about Blocking by clicking one of the links 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 How to Play Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page to get started. 
  4. Before leaving this page Say "Hi" to Mr G.B Blash, the Bear, wearing the #11 jersey below. "G.B" aka "Great Big" is the starting middle blocker for the All Beast VolleyBragSwag All Star team. 


Mr G.B Blash, the Bear, wearing the #11 jersey below. "G.B" aka "Great Big" is the starting middle blocker for the All Beast VolleyBragSwag All Star team.

Be sure to check these out these volleyball block pages!



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NOVEMBER Group Training with Coach April Registration is NOW open for Group Training Sessions with me Coach April For BOYS on SATURDAYS 11/8, 11/22, 11/29 For GIRLS on SUNDAYS 11/9, 11/23, 11/30 From 10-11am at the Its All Volleyball gym. Email: info@improveyourvolley.com to register or for more informationNOVEMBER Group Training with Coach April Registration is NOW open

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Click to Download Your Pre Serving Ritual Mastery Checklist pdf:

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Thanks for stopping by. Hope you learned something today that will help you reach your volleyball goals.

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as seen as on USA News InfluencerTennessee Athletics Honors April Chapple at Champions Weekend for Legendary Volleyball Achievements
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Congratulations to my seven Boys-18s Vegas Volley club players who played in two state championship finals yesterday, the 3A and 5A State champinship finals at Sunrise Mountain High School.

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS! In It To Win It Tournament, May 2-4, 2025 Tournament A-1 Vegas Volleyball Club Gold Medalists, 18s Premier Division

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May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament

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Vegas Volleyball's Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Moms with Peace Love Volleyball Shirts

In the city that never sleeps, my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are your 24/7 support system. Las Vegas pulses with endless energy, and as a volleyball mom, you're the powerhouse behind your player's non-stop journey.In the city that never sleeps, my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are your 24/7 support system.
More than just clothing, my shirts are a tribute to the tireless spirit of Vegas volleyball moms.More than just clothing, my shirts are a tribute to the tireless spirit of Vegas volleyball moms.
With motivational messages and vibrant designs, they mirror the dynamic energy of our city while celebrating your constant presence in your player's volleyball adventure.With motivational messages and vibrant designs, they mirror the dynamic energy of our city while celebrating your constant presence in your player's volleyball adventure.
In a town that's always on, you're the ever-present force driving your player's success.In a town that's always on, you're the ever-present force driving your player's success.

Ready to energize your volleyball mom journey?

Subscribe to my 'Producing Powerful Passionate Peaceful Players' email list above on ImproveYourVolley.com.

You'll receive energy-boosting tips, exclusive insights from me,        Coach April Chapple on maintaining momentum in volleyball.

Let's power up the Vegas volleyball scene together!


Struggling with the unique demands of being a volleyball mom in the desert? My Peace Love Volleyball shirts offer both comfort and inspiration for the challenges you face. From dealing with intense heat during outdoor practices to long drives across the valley for tournaments, Vegas volleyball moms face obstacles that others might not understand.Dear Vegas Volleyball Mom, I know that balancing Vegas life with volleyball commitments can feel like walking a tightrope, but my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are here to support you every step of the way.
As the Vegas volleyball scene grows, so does the pressure on players and moms alike. My Peace Love Volleyball shirts are here to remind you of your inner peace amidst the chaos.As the Vegas volleyball scene grows, so does the pressure on players and moms alike. My Peace Love Volleyball shirts are here to remind you of your inner peace amidst the chaos.
In a city known for its high energy, finding moments of calm can be challenging, especially when juggling the demands of volleyball life.In a city known for its high energy, finding moments of calm can be challenging, especially when juggling the demands of volleyball life.
My volleyball mom shirts aren't just about looking good - they're about feeling good too.My volleyball mom shirts aren't just about looking good - they're about feeling good too.
With messages that promote mindfulness and positivity, they serve as a wearable reminder to breathe, center yourself, and approach each volleyball challenge with a peaceful mindset.With messages that promote mindfulness and positivity, they serve as a wearable reminder to breathe, center yourself, and approach each volleyball challenge with a peaceful mindset.
In the fast-paced world of Vegas volleyball, these moments of zen can make all the difference.In the fast-paced world of Vegas volleyball, these moments of zen can make all the difference.

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