Basic Blocking Strategy

The basic blocking strategy on the beach is to always take away the hitter’s favorite shot. For example, if the hitter loves to hit the ball hard down the line, take away that hit forcing the hitter to hit the ball into cross court angle.

When you’ve decided what area you’re going to block, you must let your partner know. The best time to hand signal your partner what you’re going to block is before the serve.

Before the serve, most blockers stand with both hands behind their back and hold up various fingers. Singling one finger means line and two fingers means angle. Three fingers means to fake block. The fake block involves staying at the net until the last second. The blocker waits, pulls off the net, then prepares to dig or run down a shot.

Another signal is the fist. The fist means the blocker is going to guess at the last second.

Successful Blocker’s Take Risks

As with great jump serving, blocking success on the beach involves aggressiveness and taking risks.

It’s really tough to block hitters on the beach because you’re always blocking solo. To be a great blocker, you’ll have to be will to take risks.

Great blockers have the ability to jump sideways at the last second.

The three main types of blocking strategies are blocking angle, blocking line, and spread blocking.

Strategies for Blocking Angle

When blocking angle, the blocker lines up with the hitting shoulder, then at the last second jumps and reaches with both hands into the angle. When using this sweeping technique, you simply show the hitter that the angle is open, then at the last second reach into the angle penetrating the net as much as you can.

Strategies for Blocking Line

The technique for blocking line is just the opposite as blocking angle. Line up on the hitting shoulder and then at the last second jump and reach to block the hit down the line.

In the previous techniques, you’re simply showing an open shot then at the last second taking it away. This is kind of a cat and mouse game that involves a lot of guessing.

If you’re not a taller blocker, it might be a better strategy to play it safe and not guess. If you’re a shorter blocker, it’s likely a more effective strategy to block safely, taking away some area of the court while your partner covers the rest.

Blocking Strategy for Blocking Tall Hitters

If you’re up against high-jumping attackers that seemingly hit over their opponents every time, you’re probably better off jumping straight up when you block. Jump straight up, trying to get your hands up higher which means you won’t penetrate the net as much. Performing a soft block might be a good strategy. If you are able to soft block the ball up so your partner can play it, you still have a chance to win the rally.

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Dennis Jackson is a volleyball expert that provides advice on volleyball training. For more tips on volleyball drills along with volleyball strength and conditioning, visit http://www.strength-and-power-for-volleyball.com/beach-volleyball.html