Blocking and defending systems

1Why this matters

A spike can travel faster than 100 km/h, which is too fast to react to after it leaves the hitter's hand. Good defence is therefore about reading the attack early and standing in the right place before the hit. The block at the net and the defenders behind it work as one system.

2The block

• Only front-row players may block.
• Blocks can be single, double or triple.
• Timing: watch the setter to see where the ball goes, then watch the hitter. Jump just after the hitter jumps.
• Offensive block: reach over the net with firm hands, palms angled down into the opponents' court, to send the ball straight back down.
• Soft block: hands up above the net with the palms tilted back, to slow the ball and deflect it upwards for your own defenders.
• Never touch the net. A block touch does not count as one of your three contacts.

3Receiving and digging

• Ready position: feet wider than the shoulders, knees bent, weight forward on the balls of the feet, arms relaxed in front. Take a small split step as the hitter swings, so you can move any way.
• Dig (forearm pass): join your hands, lock your elbows to make a flat "platform" of the forearms, and angle it towards the setter. Get your body behind the ball and let it rebound off the platform. Do not swing your arms.
• Serve receive: beginners often use a W formation, with five receivers in a W shape and the setter free at the net. Stronger teams use three receivers.

4Defensive systems

• Perimeter ("6-back") defence: the back-row defenders spread towards the edges of the court and the middle-back player stays deep, for teams facing hard hitters.
• "6-up" defence: the middle-back player moves up close behind the block to catch tips, for teams facing many soft shots.
• Coverage: when your own hitter spikes, the other players crouch round them to dig any ball that rebounds off the opponents' block.
• The libero is a defensive specialist in a different-coloured shirt. The libero may replace any back-row player without it counting as a substitution, but may not block or attack a ball that is completely above the net.

Worked example: setting up against an outside hitter

The opponents set high to their zone 4 (left-side) hitter. Which of your players block, and where do the others go?

1. Their left side faces your right side, so your zone 2 (right-front) blocker sets the block and your zone 3 (middle) blocker joins to make a double block.
2. A line shot runs along their left sideline, which is your right sideline, so your zone 1 defender guards the line.
3. A cross-court shot goes diagonally to your left back, so zone 5 digs cross-court.
4. In a perimeter defence zone 6 stays deep; your zone 4 player, who is not blocking, drops back off the net to cover the sharp angle and tips.

Practice

Solution. No. Only front-row players may block.

Solution. An offensive block reaches over the net with the palms angled down to send the ball straight back down; a soft block keeps the palms tilted back to slow the ball and deflect it up for teammates.

Solution. The "6-up" system, with the middle-back player moving up behind the block to cover the tips.

Solution. Their right side faces your left side, so your zone 4 (left-front) player sets the block, helped by the middle (zone 3).