Volleyball Middle Blocker Footwork and Timing Help Make A Good Block

There are three types of footwork patterns in volleyball middle blockers should know including the hop step, shuffle step and the swing block footwork. 

Blocker volleyball footwork and block timing is essential to stopping the ball at the net.

There are three different types of volleyball middle blocker footwork patterns used in the front row.

• Hop Step
• Shuffle step
• Swing Step

From easiest to hardest...

The hop step footwork is the quickest step to use and covers the shortest amount of distance along the net.

This is basically a short sideways jump done with one foot at a time. Often used by the middles so they can cover short distances quickly. 

The shuffle step blocking footwork is the step work I prefer to use the most for middle blockers and outside hitters working to improve defensive skills in volleyball. 

My players learn to shuffle step quickly by picking up the outside foot of the direction they are moving towards. 

So if they need to move to the right, they learn to pick up their right foot first and then if they need to move to their left then they pick up their left foot first.

In my opinion the shuffle step, when practiced often can be as quick as the hop and is safer because it keeps you lower to the ground. (You are less likely to hop onto someone else's foot.)

Its also the step I have backcourt players use the most while digging in volleyball.

I want front court and back court players to move the same way, see the same thing and react in a uniform way. 

Volleyball Middle Blocker Footwork and Timing Help Make A Good Block. The shuffle step blocking footwork is used the most by middle blockers and outside hitters when moving laterally to a ball.

The swing step blocking footwork is what I teach our more advanced players and I teach what the USA Volleyball High Performance program teaches in that your first step is the cross over step...with no prep step..

When moving to the right..you cross over with the left and when moving to the left ..you cross over to the right.

When taking your cross over step your body is

• turned perpendicular to the net with both arms swung back until you
• swing both arms forward as you bring your back foot around parallel to the crossover foot.

The swing block is designed to give the blocker more elevation and helps you get your hands and arms further over the net while blocking a fast attack. 

Timing this type of block is very important. 

Speaking of timing, during your block, you want to wait until, just before the opposing player spikes the ball, then you jump.

Volleyball Middle Blocker Footwork and Timing Help Make A Good Block. During your block, wait until the opposing player starts to swing, then you jump. (Penn State News)

As you jump, you want to extend your hands, arms and shoulders over the net or if you can’t reach over, then as high as possible in order to grab the ball.

If you haven’t been instructed by your coach to take an area of the court away with your volleyball block, then your goal is to literally try to stop the ball before it passes over the net.

Keep your hands spread and your fingers wide apart in order to cover as much area above the net away from the hitter.

This is how you "block" the ball.

Volleyball Middle Blocker Footwork and Timing Help Make A Good Block (Photo by Penn State News) Widespread fingers, straight arms, rigid wrists deflect the ball into your opponents court.

Once you block the ball, your widespread fingers and straight arms which are backed by your solid rigid wrists should just deflect the ball back into the middle of your opponents court.

Let me repeat. Imagine that you are making a wall with your hands and arms that you will use to redirect the ball back into the middle of your opponent’s court.

Volleyball Middle Blocker Footwork and Timing Help Make A Good Block: Make a wall with your hands and arms that you use to redirect the ball into your opponent’s court. (Ralph Arvesen)

That’s the best way to think about how you should be blocking a ball.

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

Follow me on Instagram @coach_apchap 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. 

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 Positions 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.  

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