Volleyball Hand Signals for Beginners | How to Block Cross!

[@betteratbeachvolleyball]

Let us know in the comments why and when you use the cross block! Don't forget to head to BetteratBeach.com and get on our email list and stay tuned for our announcement for our LIVE Ultimate Defender course!

[@kumiokada7216]

Since I’m short, my partners use cross block on my side (right) all the time, so when my partner pull, he/she takes left side (short cut shots or not so hard angle hits) and I defend line and middle deep. Is it good defense in our level (BB/A)?

[@kumiokada7216]

Thank you for this video!!! this is exactly I needed to know! I overcome my fear of leaving so much court, got good digs on hard driven hits, also start getting more digs on high line too!!

[@lpaveld]

We play cross block against short attackers who likes to do cut shots to cross, in this case if ball is not on the net the blocker always drops cross and covers the hardest part of the court the defender can't reach.

[@erikjohnson9048]

I'm a full-time defender and my partner and I run primarily cross blocks because most players we play against typically swing cross and my partner is confident in his block. I try to stay neutral like Mark mentioned as long as I can before committing the move to the line to bait the hitter into rolling high line.

[@jcsmooth70]

Great pointers! Honestly anything over A level there really are no cross block calls. Rare to see!

[@bababoeydude8197]

Nice video thank for the advice i really miss playing :( Edit: I dont play with blocks yet still learning

[@randypop7133]

Left Side player. Usually blocker due to hops and speed. I usually run a simple 1 - 2 call for my teammate. Blocking line for left side, cross for right side (when facing them). That way when my teammate serves, or I serve and run up, they stay on their 'home side' (right side), and feel more comfortable b/c then we don't need to 'swap sides' based on a good pick up. I'm getting WAY more comfortable though, playing with a split blocker, and they show me either 1 - 1, or 2 - 2. Because they are focused on one form of attack, and I get to focus on the other. When blocking and I call a 1 - 1, my partner KNOWS they have the hard cross, but against a week player, they will probably have more time to react to a softer cross shot, or have more time to get a high line shot over me. Haven't had a chance to experiment with 3 and 4 calls, but sometimes if I spring it randomly against our opponents, it either works perfectly or backfires HORRIBLY. about a 50-50 split. The ONE hit, I CANNOT defend, for some dumb reason, is when the ball is SUPER far outside (doesn't matter left or right), and I for the life of me can't set up correctly to get that super sharp cut-angle shot. I miss it every time...

[@thatdad1897]

When playing against big hitters, after many line blocks in a row I’ll sometimes call and an angle block to get them out of their siding out rhythm, or I’ll call it sometimes if the hitter has a really a great extreme angle shot just to make me not have to cover that option sometimes (we’ll still mostly block line) - A defender

[@vbplayar]

I call a cross block for two reasons: 1) just to keep the hitters honest (don't want them to get too comfortable know what block they are going to see and want to mix it up) 2) because the hitter either can't hit a strong line shot or he/she ALWAYS goes strongest hit (angle)

[@CarlosEstrada-sg2ys]

I am a short blocker so I use it only on players that struggle on the line shots

[@fredDeclerck]

1 scenario I choose to block cross is when my team is on a run, and the other team is getting pissed. Really, likely they want to hammer one (cross most likely). So more of a mental play. Besides that one, it is usually to keep the other team on their toes and force them to switch gears here or there.

[@gunarslodzins]

Against certain type of hitter - those that can hit hard almost only cross.

[@cappehnkrunch]

We only use a cross when we know the hitter can ONLY hit a cross. I give up the hard driven line and maybe an amazing jumbo if I'm lazy.

[@FreedomFinanceFun]

Same. Lower level, love the cross and can't hit hard line

[@SteveMcMief]

When do I choose a cross block? That's what I wanted to ask you, Mark!

[@musiciano8608]

I decept my opponent by using four block.

[@betteratbeachvolleyball]

NICE. Get em!