In volleyball, blocking refers to a front-row player's attempt to intercept an opponent's spike by reaching her hands above the top of the net. One or more players can attempt to block at the same time. USA Volleyball, the governing body for volleyball in the United States, follows all rules set by the International Volleyball Federation regarding blocking.
Definitions
A block attempt refers to a blocking action in which the player does not contact the ball. A completed block refers to a blocking action in which the blocker touches the ball. A collective block refers to a block carried out by two or three players. Players in the game occupy either front-row or back-row positions. The attack line, which runs 9 feet, 10 inches from the net, divides the front and back zones. Three players occupy front-row positions and three occupy back-row positions. Players rotate each time their team gains the right to serve.
Basic Blocking Rules
For a contact to count as a block, part of the blocker's body must be higher than the top of the net at the moment of contact. One or more blockers can make consecutive contacts during a block as long as these contacts constitute one action. Blockers can reach beyond the net to contact the ball as long as they do not interfere with an opponent's play before or during an attack hit. Back-row players and Libero players cannot block.
Blocking Faults
If a blocker commits a fault, his team loses the point. Blocking faults include blocking an opponent's serve, sending the ball out of bounds with a block and touching the ball in the opponent's space before or during the opponent's attack hit. If a back-row player completes a block, or if a Libero player attempts or completes a block, her team loses the point.
Team Hits
A block does not count as one of the team's three hits. After a player completes a block, his team then has three hits to return the ball to the other side of the net. Any player, including the one who blocked the ball, can make the next hit after a block.
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