
Volleyball: Height & Position
of the Hands When Blocking
The position of the hands relative to each other and to the net are vital elements in making an effective block.
Height of the |Hands & Position Over the Net
Many beginning volleyball players make the mistake of jumping too high when attempting to block shots. (If you're teaching children who are only three feet tall, this obviously won't be an issue).
In fact, 95% of opponents' shots will travel just over the ribbon, so the best position for blocking is with the palms slightly over the top of the net. Any higher and the hands will be above optimal blocking height. This means your students only have to get their hands less than eight feet into the air in order to make an effective block.
When blocking, players should attempt to penetrate as far as

Hand Orientation & Width
When blocking, the hands should be tilted so the thumbs rotate upward towards the ceiling. This widens the area that the hands can cover and also improves the strength of the fingers.
Often, the hands are rotated so the thumbs point down. However, this puts the tops of the fingers in a weak position - a lot of hard-hit balls will be able to push the fingers backwards and fly through the block.
Also, and this is another common error, the hands should not be held close together. Instead, they should be shoulder-width apart — at about the width of the head. This expands the blocking area.

References:
1. Bond Shymansky, “Gettin' Better! 40 Tips for Outside Hitting and Blocking.”
Championship Productions, DVD, 2006.
http://www.championshipproductions.com
2. Coaching Cue for Sealing the Net, PE Update.com
3. Blocking: Arm Position Tip, PE Update.com
4. Blocking - Keep the Head Down, PE Update.com
All photographs courtesy of Championship Productions.com

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