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Volleyball · Level 4: Intermediate · Sub-level 4.3

Blocking Tactics

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 25 October 2026 · markdown

Read and commit blocking, bunch and spread formations, the swing block, taking away a shot, the soft block, blocking a high ball, blocking combinations and the block's plan and calls.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Read blockingTake a test

  1. Read blockers wait for the set before they move.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. The setter's position and the ball tell them where the set can go.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. With many hitters coming, guessing early is risky.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. Waiting for the set leaves less time to reach the hitter.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. Hands up and ready shorten the move into the block.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. Side steps for short moves, a crossover for long ones.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. Hitters' runs can be fakes; the set is real.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Pass, hands, set and the move.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. Open, cross, plant and jump.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. Waiting and watching the setter is read blocking.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 2Commit blockingTake a test

  1. The commit blocker jumps with the quick, betting on it.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. Against a very fast set, waiting means being too late.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. If the setter sets outside, the middle is in the air too early.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. With the middle gone, the outside often has a single block.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. Teams commit where the opponent hurts them most.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. If the setter always goes quick after a good pass, commit then.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. The outside blockers handle the hitter without the middle's help.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Pass, the quick's jump, the commit and then the set.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. Commit jumps first, read waits, and no block never jumps.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. Jumping before the set with the quick is a commit block.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 3The bunch formationTake a test

  1. Bunched blockers stand near each other in the centre.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. Two or three blockers can reach the middle quickly.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. From the middle, the blockers must travel far to the antenna.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. From the middle, readers can go to any set.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. Shifting the bunch puts more blockers where the ball tends to go.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. The middle blocker sits in the centre of the bunch.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. A central block often leaves outside defenders wider lanes.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Bunch is tightest, spread is widest.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. Bunch, read, move and close.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. Three blockers grouped in the middle is a bunch.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 4The spread formationTake a test

  1. Spread blockers start wide, near each antenna.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. The hitter on their left side lines up with our right-front blocker.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. With blockers wide, the middle has fewer helpers.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. Fast sets leave no time for a long move from the middle.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. Alone in the centre, she covers the quick and closes outward.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. When the block is wide, defenders help fill the centre.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. The outside blocker and the middle meet to form the double.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Wide start, set, the close and the double block.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. Wide sets suit it; the middle quick is its weak spot.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. A spread shape is made for fast wide sets.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 5The swing blockTake a test

  1. Swing blockers swing the arms as they run and jump.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. The arm swing adds height and power to the jump.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. Moving fast along the net, the blocker can drift as she jumps.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. Blockers run with a crossover step before the swing jump.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. The arms must swing and reach over the net at the right moment.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. Top teams such as Brazil and the US used it widely.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. Simple hands-up blocking comes first; the swing can follow.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Read, run, swing and press.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. Back, swing up and over.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. Arms swinging as she moves along the net mark the swing block.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 6Taking away a shotTake a test

  1. The block covers one shot and the defence takes the rest.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. Closing the cross leaves only the line.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. Block and defence must share one plan.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. Teams usually take away the hitter's best shot.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. Funnelling sends the ball where the defence wants it.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. Placing her hands over the line closes that shot.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. Both covering the same shot leaves the other one free.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Scout, block, defend and dig.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. From the hitter, past the block, to the cross defender.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. With the line blocked, the shaded cross is where the ball should go.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 7The soft blockTake a test

  1. A soft block angles the hands back to slow the ball.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. Deflecting the ball upward gives the defenders a playable ball.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. A shorter blocker who cannot reach over can still slow the ball.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. Penetrating blocks reach over the net and push the ball down.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. A late blocker can still slow the ball instead of being tooled.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. A soft block sends the ball up for her team's defence.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. The deflection is soft, so they move in to play it.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Hit, soft touch, the ball up and the dig.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. From stuffing the ball to only slowing it, then no block touch.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. Upward deflection on her own side is the sign.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 8Blocking the high ballTake a test

  1. A high set gives blockers time to close a full block.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. With time, a double or even triple block can form.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. From a bad pass, a high ball is the set most likely to be hittable.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. A long, high flight gives the defence a look at the hitter's run.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. Facing a big block, hitters often wipe off it or tip over it.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. A bad pass forces a safe high set instead of a combination.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. A set far off the net gives the hitter time; blockers go too soon.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Set, the outside's spot, the close and the jump.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. Power first, then a wipe off the hands, then the soft tip.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. Hitters look for the seam between two blockers' hands.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 9Blocking combinationsTake a test

  1. Man blockers stay with one hitter wherever she runs.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. Zone blockers keep their part of the net whoever comes.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. Crossing hitters make blockers cross too, which costs time.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. The slide runs behind the setter, so the middle must follow her.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. Calls such as switch or stay keep each hitter covered.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. Tandem hitters arrive one after the other at one spot.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. A blocker who jumps with the decoy is out of the real play.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Start, cross, the switch and the block.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. Time to read shrinks as the play gets faster and more complex.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. In man blocking she stays with her hitter through the cross.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 10The block's plan and callsTake a test

  1. The outside blocker sets the block; the middle closes to her.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. The middle moves next to the outside blocker to make a double.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. Naming the hitters reminds the block who can attack.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. A blocking scheme sets how the block plays each hitter.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. From the middle she sees both sides and calls the block.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. Three hitters at the net now, so three to watch.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. The angle of the run hints at the angle of the hit.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Set, spot, close and jump.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. Call, read, block and land.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. The middle closes to the spot the outside blocker has set.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Sources

FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II) and general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered FIVB rules belong to the Rules category.

  • FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references100