Dominate the Net: Volleyball Blocking Terms for High School Blockers

Grow your knowledge of volleyball blocking terms with this overview of crucial words, tactics and blocking communication strategies for players and coaches.

Blocking Volleyball Terms and Definitions For Players On Defense at the Net: Learn important action words for volleyball blocking like what it means to "seal the net" while you are blocking in front row defense...(Penn State News photo)

Blocking is a fundamental defensive skill in volleyball that requires proper technique, timing, and communication.

As a front-row player, understanding and applying the right volleyball blocking terms and techniques can significantly improve your ability to defend against opposing attackers.

In this article, we'll explore essential blocking terms, such as "seal the net," and provide insights on how to execute effective blocking techniques.

Whether you're a varsity player, junior varsity player, college athlete, or high school coach, mastering these blocking concepts will help you and your team succeed on the court.

"Seal the Net": A Crucial Volleyball Blocking Term and Technique

"Seal the net" is a key volleyball blocking term that refers to the ideal positioning and form for blockers at the net.

When you "seal the net," you maintain a position with your shoulders, chest, arms, and hips parallel to the net, minimizing the space between your body and the net without touching it.

This technique allows you to penetrate farther into the opponent's court, increasing your chances of successfully blocking the attack.

Varsity and college players often focus on mastering this technique to gain a competitive edge.

"Press over" is another important volleyball blocking term that describes the action of extending your arms and hands over the net during a block.

When you "press over," you reach as far into the opponent's court as possible without touching the net, creating a larger blocking surface and reducing the available hitting angles for the attacker.

This technique is particularly important for middle blockers, who often have to quickly transition and block attacks from various positions along the net.

High school and junior varsity coaches should emphasize this technique when training their front-row players.

"Read the hitter" is a volleyball blocking term that refers to the ability to anticipate and react to the opposing attacker's movements and hitting tendencies.

Effective blockers must learn to "read the hitter" by observing their approach, arm swing, and body position, as well as considering the set location and the hitter's preferred attacking style.

By developing this skill, blockers can make split-second decisions on where to position themselves and how to adjust their block to maximize their defensive impact.

College and varsity players often spend significant time analyzing opponents' hitting tendencies to improve their blocking effectiveness.

"Blocking footwork" refers to the specific movement patterns and techniques used by front-row players to quickly transition and establish an effective blocking position. 

Proper blocking footwork involves a combination of shuffle steps, crossover steps, and lateral movements, depending on the situation and the hitter's location. 

Mastering efficient blocking footwork allows players to maintain a stable, balanced position at the net, ready to react and jump for the block.

High school coaches and junior varsity players should prioritize practicing and refining blocking footwork to build a strong defensive foundation.

"Blocking communication" is a critical aspect of successful team defense in volleyball. Front-row players must use specific volleyball blocking terms and cues to coordinate their movements, ensure proper alignment, and avoid defensive gaps. 

Common blocking communication terms include "mine," "you," "help," and "switch," which indicate who is responsible for blocking each hitter and when to make adjustments.

Effective blocking communication requires practice, trust, and a clear understanding of each player's role and responsibilities.

Varsity and college teams often develop advanced blocking communication systems to optimize their defensive performance.

Conclusion:

Mastering volleyball blocking terms and techniques is essential for front-row players at all levels, from junior varsity to college.

By understanding and applying concepts like "seal the net," "press over," "read the hitter," "blocking footwork," and "blocking communication," players can significantly improve their defensive skills and contribute to their team's success.

Coaches should prioritize teaching and reinforcing these blocking fundamentals to help their teams build a strong defensive foundation.

As players advance in their volleyball careers, they can refine and adapt these techniques to match the increasing speed and complexity of the game.

Ultimately, effective blocking requires a combination of technical proficiency, strategic understanding, and seamless communication among teammates.

Blocking Volleyball Terms and Definitions For Players On Defense at the Net

Since the block is the first opportunity to stop the opposing team from hitting into your court, your blocking technique and timing have to be on point. 

These blocking volleyball terms and definitions describe blocking technique and form you need to have when you're about to move above the net. 

Blocking Volleyball Terms and Definitions: : Watch how the Texas blockers seal the net against Oklahoma outside hitter (Ralph Arvesen)

This blocking information will help you know what to do and where to be when you are on defense in the front row. 

Blocking Volleyball Terms and Definitions: Iowa State Cyclones double block seals the net in order to block Texas hitter Micaya White from attacking hard into their court. (Ralph Arvesen)

When you "seal the net" it means that in the middle of your block, while you are jumping, you should keep your shoulders, chest, your underarms, upper body including your chest, abs and hips parallel to the net, all while keeping as little space as possible between you and the net...without touching it.

Blocking Volleyball Terms and Definitions: : Watch how the Rice Volleyball Blockers Seal The Net (Photo by Michael E. Johnston)

In these photos of college players blocking, the players are "sealing the net with their block" which can be seen well from this side view.

Blocking Volleyball Terms and Definitions: . Watch as the Florida Gators block are "close down the space between their armpits and the net" in order to get far over the net to block. (Matt Pendleton)

They are "closing down the space between their armpits and the net" in order to get as far over the net as possible to block the opposing team hitter. 

Can you see how little space there is between their blocking hands, arms and bodies and the net?

There's very little if any space.

Blocking Volleyball Terms and Definitions: Oklahoma blockers with armpits close to the net as possible without touching it so arms and hands go OVER the net. That's called sealing the net.

Each player's armpits are as close to the net as possible without touching it. 

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. 

Volleyball Terms and Definitions: 
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. 

Photo Credits and Licenses

1. Improve Your Volleyball Performance with Private Volleyball Coach April Chapple
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2. Volleyball Words and Definitions For Setting Five Fast Offensive Plays
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3. Blocking Volleyball Terms and Definitions To Improve Blocking Skills

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