How To Block Like A PRO | Block 42% Better

[@empty8672]

The power you feel when you look deep into the eyes of the person you just shut out is just the best

[@mitchsterkenburg]

It's euphoric

[@AlessandroNiculescu]

12:58 PMEVOLLEYBALL gets stuffed

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Every once in awhile

[@Masa6x]

Wait no way I didnt notice that, even tho i watch both their channels. I thought mans is a setter but ig he plays opposite too

[@itsmerami]

Another banger, thanks Coach, love these learning videos! 🏐

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Let's go Rami! More to come, you know it.

[@lucasvestergaard6265]

Keep them coming! Very helpfull!

[@mitchsterkenburg]

No doubt! Glad to hear that.

[@niliev9675]

2:14 me being 5,9 crying my guts out

[@mitchsterkenburg]

You can be 5'9 and still get a roof or two

[@lxxackermannxx7060]

Enjoyed every second of this thank you!!

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Thrilled to hear that!

[@georgeidowu2923]

How do you get better blocks from a middle hitters POV? Also, how should middle hitters close the blocks to their pins? Alot of times, there are holes in the block and pins always find a way to get through.

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Getting better blocks out of the middle comes down to two things - quick reactions to get to the ball quickly. And penetrating over the net even if you can't close the block. It's much better to be penetrated and in a good position, than exposed and closed to the pin. Stay tuned for some middle specific videos down the road.

[@wesleykeys]

I play middle and am 6'4 so I have no problem getting over and penetrating the net, but I have two questions: 1. When the other team swings out of power, I feel like my right side blocker is always in my way. So I run into them, then they move over, then there's a gap. Do I tell them to stay out? 2. Do you have tips on reading the shoulders of the hitter/which direction a good middle hitter will hit? I'm always 1-on-1 with the middle and even though they have the advantage to cut the ball, I'd like to be able to read which direction they will hit more often and adjust my arms mid-air to get there and block. Thanks!

[@mitchsterkenburg]

For #1, you should feel like you are running into the right side blocker. Your job as a middle when blocking balls set to the pin is to close the block. Wherever they are set up as, it's your job to get shoulder to shoulder with them and block as a unit, instead of trying to get the block yourself. Even if they're not a strong blocker, you need to establish good habits of getting four hands up against good teams because more blockers is always better. My teaching point would be to practice timing on your blocking transitions to make sure you land and stay connected but not in the way of your right side blocker. #2 There's three types of middles, ones that hit bodyline hard, one's that cut everything back, and ones that do both very well. If you're able to recognize what type of middle you are going against early on in a match it can give you an advantage on reading where they might go. The best way to read the shoulders is to wait as late as you possible can and reach towards the ball. Give your 6'4 frame you definitely have the length to wait and go after the path the hitter takes if you find yourself getting around you a lot. There's no secret sauce to knowing where every middle will go. The way I see it, if you get a middle to cut the ball back, it's a little victory as a blocker because you know that will be a much easier ball to pick up compared to a bounce ball the attacker hits at full strength. Hope this helps!

[@Brainlessduck.]

Good vid, please more maybe make an updated version of the Attacker or sum :)!

[@mitchsterkenburg]

thanks! In the works.

[@jkklolm9582]

Great video

[@mitchsterkenburg]

thanks so much!

[@Other_Self]

Great vid!

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Thank you!

[@stainless7950]

I am a 6 foot outside hitter and want to know your opinion about swing vs shuffle blocking for pin hitters in a bunch block system.

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Like most things in volleyball.. it depends, if you have a long distance to cover swing block is probably preferred, if it’s a high set and you have time probably go with the shuffle. Ultimately whichever you feel more comfortable with and ensures good timing and connection to other blockers will be best.

[@benhoffman2726]

Hey coach, great video! A few of our guys that I coach are having troubles pressing over the net to take away space despite of being great athletes and being in the right spot. Any thoughts?

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Awesome question, and definitely a skill that takes both time to develop - and understanding of when to execute. The concept I try and teach to my athletes is a blocking motion that bring the hands over the net as soon as possible. Many athletes will jump up and put their hands super high up the antenna, then press over. This leads to a lot of tools because the arms are vertical and make for an easy kill if the attacker is quick. Two good drills to work on to focus on taking away good space with your hands as a blocker. 1. Have someone stand on a box or just vertical holding a ball just breaking the plane of the net. The blocker on the other side has to jump up penetrate the net, grab the ball and throw it down. This emphasizes the skills of reaching over right away. The drill can be altered to pressing down on the ball depending on the level of athlete participating in the drill. 2. Second drill is to put a string or band 6-8 inch above the net reaching from antenna to antenna. Then work on the 'T-drill' or another walkthrough blocking motion and practice that feeling of getting the hands immediately over and pressed. Hope this helps! Most likely a topic I will dive into down the road in a video of some sort. Thanks for the comment.

[@swiftchriz6291]

Do a video on how to become a better opposite

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Got you

[@kilian7919]

Very helpful vid, Mitch. Especially like the little net you added in at 6:30, gave me a chuckle but is a great visual aid in what you're demonstrating. Have you got any tips for backrow hitting? I've seen #24 on PMEVBs team hit some nice shots in some videos of his, I'm guessing you're aware of him since you play against that team. Curious about your thoughts on the topic. If you haven't made a video, I'd like one on it

[@mitchsterkenburg]

I'm glad you appreciated it! Yes I am familiar with Jordan's game, he does a good job of hitting all around but especially out of the front row. I'm sure I'll make a backrow video in the future but some tips and tricks in the meantime. 1. Getting a full approach is vital - I like my players to start 3-5 feet in front of the back line. The more runway you have the better. 2. Backrow hitting is a lot more broad-jump than vertical jump. I would recommend practicing your approach and jump without hitting any balls to get the rhythm down. 3. Lastly, make sure you're on the same page with your setter so they lead you enough. The worst thing a setter can do for a backrow attack is set the ball right on top of your head. You want them to put it in a place within the 10 feet line where you have to jump and get it. hope this helps!

[@kilian7919]

@@mitchsterkenburg I'll keep your pointers in mind moving forward, thanks. We have a new setter coming up, I'll have to see how that pans out. Also, I realized why I found the net funny is mainly because you scaled it down to include the posts on both sides, which makes it look like a toy/you're a giant.

[@charlielin2514]

Im 5'7 and in 10th grade. i have a 30-inch vert close to 130bls. Im a new middle and on the school team and made it for the first time. Im having a hard time reading who's gonna get set/whose gonna hit it, so i have a hard time running and reading to the block. Plz help

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Most important job as a middle is taking care of your middle. He's the guy you are responsible for so as long as you are keeping an eye on him as the ball goes to the setter you shouldn't have to do a lot of reading. When it comes to getting to the pins for closing double blocks as a middle, I recommend being in a steady position ready to move left or right, you won't always be perfectly on time or able to close to the pins as a blocker, but as long as you're getting there you're doing your job right. Not a lot of reading tips I can give that aren't specific to isolated plays but focus on the quality of the pass, if its a really good pass the setter might want to get the middle involved. If it's out of system, in high school setters like to dish the ball high to the outside giving you plenty of time to react and get out there. Hope this helps!

[@prodigybasketball10]

Earned a sub from me, super informative! Thanks

[@mitchsterkenburg]

thanks for the sub! Glad you liked it

[@xleonui]

What if I'm not tall or can't jump high enough to swing the block. Like when I swing it my hands will under the net. Is this where I can only have a "pencil" block but should have a good position?

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Regardless of your height you want to avoid the pencil block. Even if you aren't that tall. Aligning your blocking position inside the attackers hitting arm will put you in a good spot to either slow down the hitter or get quality block touches. But if you are lacking in those two areas you have to be really good at watching the ball and the attacker to know their angle of attack and make sure you're in the right spot because you'll be unable to adjust

[@jp_1481]

do you have a vid on reading were the hitter is hitting

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Not yet but can’t make one on that in the future !

[@xwsora8664]

I was going to watch the video but I want to improve my blocking by 43% guess i got to keep looking

[@mitchsterkenburg]

yeah sorry about that,

[@reckingcrew2277]

tell me if this is dumb. If you watch his swings he almost always swings to 1 and 5(to avoid the mb), as this mb theoretically, if you knew your outside would be helping to take away 5, shouldn’t you commit to taking away 1? That way the hitter would be forced to hit to zone 6 which they would have to read in the air?

[@mitchsterkenburg]

let me know which play you were referencing here and I can comment appropriately

[@reckingcrew2277]

@@mitchsterkenburg not specifically referencing a play, just generally

[@materekpl6032]

well i would say try commiting and see how it works out, especially if hes scoring points anyways or making it very hard to dig

[@determina7or]

Can i ask what is average height of this guys? net is 243cm?

[@mitchsterkenburg]

correct, 7 ft 11inch and 5/8th or 243 cm

[@determina7or]

@@mitchsterkenburg and players height?

[@katherinexu3347]

0:10…pme volleyball cameo??

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Yep you’d be right

[@stareSimulVelCadere]

Of all the players to call out on Team USA, you picked.... Kyle Ensing...

[@mitchsterkenburg]

He’s underrated!!

[@mitchsterkenburg]

And 6’9, thus proving my point

[@awillingvessel238]

Is it different in sand?

[@mitchsterkenburg]

There will always be some subtle differences between blocking principles in sand vs. indoor. The nature of the surface presents challenges outdoors that aren't there for indoor. But the basic mechanics of blocking stay relatively the same.

[@anthonysantos3021]

Isn’t it show n take, he’s showing the hitter he’s in the cross then he takes the line and vice versa

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Yes! It's the same thing, just a different name for it. 'show' vs. 'give' same concept.

[@anthonysantos3021]

@@mitchsterkenburg but I’m ur terms, it’s give line then take line. I get u tho, I learned show n take on the beach. In my experience indoor blocking may seem that way but it’s so fast that, to me, it’s more like read then commit and since your trying to beat a fast offense you might have to get to the pin quick and when you see hitter going cross your reaching for the ball whether it’s cross or line

[@mitchsterkenburg]

@@anthonysantos3021 you’re right. I’m not saying is the same as blocking on the beach, but it’s a similar concept. The bigger picture I’m getting at is just avoiding a straight up and down block, unless you’re double or tripling, you want to take away something when you’re up there and the give and take / show and take is a strategy to do that