Blocking
Blocking is an advanced skill that requires physical height, jumping ability and good judgment to time the jump against the attacker. While most Special Olympics athletes will not (and should not) try to block, those who are able can change the energy of a game with a well-executed stuff block.
The athlete should stand squarely facing the net, approximately 15-20 centimeters away (6-8 inches), feet even and slightly less than shoulder width apart, hands close to the body in front of the chest with the palms facing the net. The athlete will bend deeply with the knees and then explode straight upward, reaching with both hands as high as possible. The athlete should attempt to reach over the net, with both arms straight, as far as he/she can without touching the net.
The outside blocker is positioned to be lined up on the inside shoulder of the attacker at the point where he/she will swing at the ball. A blocker on the right side of the court will put his/her right arm on the ball. A blocker on the left side of the court will put his/her left arm on the ball. This will give the best chance of blocking an "angle" or cross-court attack.
Teaching Points
A common problem is athletes who confuse blocking a tight set with a chance to reach over and attack the ball before the opponent can attack it. This usually results in a net violation on the blocker.
The athlete can reach to his/her left or right if necessary to block a ball, but this reaching should be done with both arms and not a sideways jump. Sideways jumping creates awkward landings and increases the chance of injury or collision with teammates. The blocker should jump straight up and down, always landing evenly on both feet, exactly where they took off from.
The athlete should focus on reaching to a specific point above the net rather than wildly flailing the arms hoping to make contact. The primary purpose of the block is to take away a specific portion of the court and force the attacker to hit either into the block or into the arms of the defenders covering the rest of the court. Blockers will decide to cover the "line" or the "angle" before jumping, and the rest of the team will arrange themselves to cover the rest of the court as defenders.
