How To Get Better At Blocking in Volleyball

Sava Topich was one of the best blockers Marymount Men's Volleyball has ever had. This video breaks down some of his best blocking mechanics and fundamentals that will help with your blocking game as well. Regardless of your skill level, these few principles are easy to plug into your game and improve on getting better touches and blocks.

[@zenshonen]

This channel is a goldmine 🥶

[@mitchsterkenburg]

You’re my hero

[@003vb]

The biggest tip i received while blocking was to watch the shoulder of the hitter to know exactly where he is hitting. Not a lot of blocking videos I've come across don't talk about that.

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Depends on the pace of play and level you're playing at. Collegiate volleyball and up you often don't have the time to track shoulders visually, or the attackers are equally as skilled at hitting cross body shots so I wouldn't always say that's your best bet for blocking skilled attackers.

[@orangefroggo552]

Just the video i needed! Goes over nuances that arent usually covered in other videos

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Glad it was helpful! Lots of pieces of the game I'm trying to share, lots of videos to come.

[@TheMrSuge]

Been my experience that the shuffle works to keep a blocker out of the net better than the swing, where sometimes an aggressive follow through can lead to an inadvertent net touch. You jump a little straighter up-and-down when you shuffle.

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Couldn't agree with you more!

[@dunk1065]

Babe wake up Mitch posted another Volleyball video $D

[@mitchsterkenburg]

😂😂

[@srod6884]

Love this video!! This helps me a lot especially as a middle blocker. I can’t wait to implement these tips into my game

[@mitchsterkenburg]

That's what they are here for! Glad to hear it.

[@savatopich]

Nice vid coach Mitch. The way I have always seen it is nothing wrong with swing blocking if you can properly do it and not drift when you are committing to 1 hitter only but when bic 31 n go is all an option shuffle gives you the ability to adjust quickly and get extra hands hands up.

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Totally agree with everything said! Still can’t believe how many blocks you had when shuffling the numbers are wild. It’s good to be able to apply both like you said depending on the said and routes run by opponents.

[@Richeswon]

Thanks Mitch, u the bro fr fr

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Anytime my brotha

[@diegoindaalamos5642]

Great content! Can you make a video about setting, especially jump setting? I struggle a lot with that. Thanks man

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Absolutely, will definitely make a setting video in one of the next ones.

[@torstenjohanes7688]

This is exactly what I need Love the channel ❤

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Glad to hear it!

[@ckrealtor11]

Great video, I'm going to watch them all. I see this is the only blocking one, so I was wondering if you could go a little deeper and talk about hand positioning. I know on the outside, they should angle into the court, but I'm wondering, specifically, if the ball is set outside the antenna, how do you set up to block the ball inside the court?

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Working on another blocking video. Might not cover everything you asked but highlights some additional keys to think about.

[@will-ti2qs]

Super helpful video thank you so much

[@mitchsterkenburg]

You're so welcome!

[@DaVent_]

Thx for the video man, could u make a video on how to improve passing?

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Absolutely can my man

[@christianquaade5596]

Super well explained! I have also been trying to shuffle more in my blocks, in my case to make it easier for the middle to close, but it really does help alot all around when balls comming inide or maybe the other team doesn't hit line all that often.

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Thank you! And you’re exactly right. Not saying it’s an every time thing but it’s a good strategy to mix in your blocking scheme when you need to.

[@robertphua7720]

Banger video from u !

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Appreciate it !

[@orangefroggo552]

Definitely subscribing, I gotta check out your other videos

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Welcome aboard!

[@mattvalentin7330]

Can you do a video on timing and adjusting to sets, I have been having trouble on timing my approach with diff sets and how my footwork should be

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Absolutely! Awesome question. Can dive into this for sure. Something that a lot of people run into trouble with on their approaches.

[@danielmadrigal5094]

Great video

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Thanks!

[@kacie77]

Pointers for blocking as short people. But like super short...women (5'3")..... playing on a men's net with no choice but to also go front row. 🙏🏻 Thoughts on soft blocking? You're vids are great. Getting back into playing a number of years after college and you explain things better so i just send less experienced teammates your stuff. 😂

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Great questions, soft blocking is very effective. A touch in the court is always better than a touch out of the court. Keys are to really focus on watching the hitters path, and when they make adjustments follow them. When you’re lower on the net penetration is less important and hand placement in alignment with the hitters approach angle is more important. So long story short focus on having a good setup, and adjusting to the hitters path to get a touch / or soft block on the ball as much as possible. Glad you’re loving the videos, I’m also teaching some friends to play for the first time so glad they’re helping y’all out a bit!

[@RayZhu-uq6lh]

another banger!

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Thanks!

[@BrasilGW]

Coach can you talk about passes too?

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Definitely, next up on the list

[@syphonic3120]

6:04 wait. That setter looking familiar

[@mitchsterkenburg]

You don't say..

[@Judikqube]

PleaseCould you do one for powerful serves and accuracy!

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Definitely can!

[@Judikqube]

@@mitchsterkenburg omg thanks this means alot I got scrims against a team that is much better than mine and I think this would really help and I've watched all ur other vids on volley too. Thank youu

[@eternalpeace8479]

Did anybody noticed PMEVolleyball in 6:47

[@mitchsterkenburg]

We play Christian twice a year so lots of film against his school

[@youssefnafis5101]

Could you demonstrate how to precisely control the ball during a spike

[@ernestoalcones9697]

Hard hand thumb down when hitting smart Heavy relax hand whip that mother ******* when open net

[@andrec3152]

Focus on rolling through your wrist and using your thumb positioning to control the angle, thumb down for cross. Thumb around to hit line

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Yes, can do, this one can get a bit technical. To be a great attacker you have to have a good approach to control where you want to hit the ball. Can definitely dive into this further.

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Good point! Cut shots are a big part of the game and that's exactly how you can control them.

[@andrec3152]

@@mitchsterkenburg thank you, your videos always help especially since I’m a junior player playing at highs levels in England

[@sirownsalot13]

Does the shuffle blocking tip also apply for middles? Or mostly just for out of system blocks?

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Shuffling can definitely benefit middles as well. Usually middles have to cover a lot of group making it much easier to swing. However, they can take shuffle steps one way or another when players take themselves out of a play. For example if the right side back row hitter were to fall. They might shuffle a bit right to focus on the middle and outside hitter. Might have to make a video on this, but the short answer is yes when the distance isn’t a full close block to the pin.

[@mikehay2409]

Hey coach! I’m a middle from Trinity Christian college. Hit up our coach Rob for a game PLEASE! We need some more teams on our schedule.

[@mitchsterkenburg]

send me an email at [e-mail]

[@brandonwilson6517]

I saw pmvolleyball lol

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Yes we play his team twice a season

[@fluffybunny4711]

Omg was that pme volleyball

[@mitchsterkenburg]

Possible

[@fakawat7220]

he tracks the ball and jump up and press over the net..

[@mitchsterkenburg]

One of the best…