Blocking the Outside Hitter

 "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition." Technique and execution define success. 

Success arises from symmetry. "Control what you can control" and that includes becoming a student of the game. 

• Score more points on serves, attacks, blocks.
• Defend more points on receives, blocks, coverage.

Blocking is defense and defense is attitude. Develop the attitude of "the stopper." CARE = concentrate, anticipate, react, execute. 

Melrose's greatest blocking pair was Rachel Johnson and Kayla Wyland, a.k.a. "The Great Wall." 

In this sequence, the first block is from Sarah McGowan and Kayla Wyland. 

"The Great Wall" 

More of the same.

 

And again. 

• Scout opponents if possible
• Anticipate. 
• Move. You have to get there. 
• Hands and arms over the net (height, extension)
• Outside blocker angles the hand in the keep the block in
• Keep the block "stiff" to stop ball penetration

I asked ChatGPT Plus for a short summary:

Quick guide: Blocking the left-side (strong-side) hitter

• Eye sequence: ball → setter’s hands → hitter’s approach (shoulders/plant) → ball. Don’t stare at the hitter the whole time.

• Footwork & timing: shuffle/crossover to close the seam with the middle. Arrive early → jump late (on set release).

• Hands & press: get over, not just up. Outside hand turns in to take cross; inside hand seals seam with the middle. Thumbs down, elbows locked, press to the attacker’s shoulder.

• Take away their best shot: vs. power OH, start slightly line and bait deep cross for your defense; vs. wrist-away/shot maker, start more neutral and read.

• Close the seam: middle commits to the set call; pin waits a beat to close hip-to-hip—no daylight.

• Read cues: wide set + fast approach → take cross first; tight set/shoulders to line → sit line; late/inside set → expect tool off your outside hand (press harder over).

• Block→transition: land balanced, peek the rebound, and open to attack—don’t admire the block.

Common errors: drifting (fix by planting early), hands above net but not over (press), leaving a seam (communicate “I’ve got seam/line”), swinging arms (keep them strong and still through contact).

One-line cue: “Arrive early, jump late, seal the seam, press over.”

Longer-term developing athleticism (lateral quickness, vertical jump, upper body strength) will serve you.