DefenseBlocking

Block Footwork Fundamentals Drill

Isolates the lateral shuffle and jump timing a blocker needs before adding a live hitter to react to.

Age RangeAges 11+
Duration10 minutes
Group SizeGroups of 3-4
SportVolleyball

Equipment Needed

  • Net
  • One ball

Need a net for this drill?

A portable, height-adjustable net makes block-footwork reps possible anywhere you have floor space.

Shop Portable Nets on Amazon As an Amazon Associate, FreeCoachingDrills.com earns from qualifying purchases.

Setup

  • Blockers line up at the net with cones marking hitting zones along the net.
Block Footwork Fundamentals DrillXXShuffles to zoneXShuffle to the zone, square up, jump straight up

Instructions

  1. The blocker shuffles laterally along the net to a called zone, staying square and facing the net.
  2. On arrival, the blocker sets their feet and jumps straight up, penetrating hands over the net.
  3. Reset to the middle and repeat to a different zone.
  4. Add a coach toss above the net for the blocker to time their jump against.
Coaching Points
  • Shuffle, don't cross over, when moving along the net for short distances.
  • Square the shoulders to the net just before the jump, even after a lateral move.
  • Jump on a slight delay after the hitter's approach, not on your own count.

Variation

Add a live hitter once footwork and timing are consistent, turning it into a full block read.