Personal Qualities:

1. I have to force myself to be intelligent and quick-thinking during all my blocking segments; blocking is very demanding and requires all of my attention and focus abilities.
2. I must develop the discipline to know--every single time--where the opponent's setter and hitters are positioned.
3. I realize that blocking is a reaction skill, and I have to pay attention to even the slightest clues in determining my blocking move.
4. I realize that despite the relatively low success rate for blockers, I have to strive for perfection every time.
5. I realize the importance of communication when blocking and will do my best to verbalize my reads to my teammates.
6. I realize that establishing a tight block is our highest priority.
7. I realize that almost every spike crosses the net between the top of the net and 6 inches above the net. I must make sure that I block at least this first 6 inch area.

1. I will develop the ability to recognize and front a hitter's approach angle.
2. I will develop the ability to execute the basic fundamentals of blocking:
   • Evaluate the pass and attack options
   • Maintain coil while reading the attack
   • High hands, tap jump against quick sets
   • Seal and penetrate--one move
   • Jump straight up--no drifting
   • Eyes open, looking for hitter clues
   • Block the low hard spike--first 6 inches
   • Push the on-line shoulder
   • Land on-balance and turn to help
3. I will develop the ability to execute basic blocking tactics:
   • 3-hitter formations (crossing patterns, 3-5 split)
   • 2-hitter formations (3-slide, setter dump)
4. I will recognize tight set situations and execute the tight set rule: When a set is tight to the net (closer than 12 inches), blockers should abandon all channeling or area blocking tactics and position their feet at the point of attack, and penetrate with both hands in an attempt to stuff the ball.
5. I will develop the ability to channel the attack, to force a hitter to go line or cross court
6. I will store knowledge of hitter tendencies and adjust my block to take away their preferred shot(s).

1. Mindlessly standing at the net, failing to read opponent's attack.
2. Losing track of the opponent's setter/hitter locations.
3. Failing to communicate effectively.
4. Failing to close the block.
5. Failing to front a hitter's approach angle.
6. Losing coil prior to block jump.
7. Going up too early on block attempt.
8. Allowing balls to go down in the space between my hands and net.
9. Batting at the ball with my hands.
10. Dropping my hands prior to jumping against a quick set.
11. Drifting.
12. Closing my eyes at any time
13. Failing to watch my hitter's approach, body position, and armswing because I'm still watching the set.
14. Reaching too high and allowing balls to be hit off forearms or hard past the armpits.
15. Soft hands/shoulders at impact.
16. Blowing the tight set rule.
17. Failing to be ready to play any ball contacts made by other blockers or diggers upon landing.
18. Not using the dead ball period of time to find the setter and hitters and communicate my knowledge to my teammates.