Blocking volley technique: short preparation

What this lesson covers

The coach emphasizes a short, compact preparation to maintain control during net exchanges. Players must show the paddle face early to the opponent, keeping the racket head high and pointing forward. This setup prevents excessive backswing, which causes loss of power and timing. When the ball arrives with pace, the preparation must be even faster to keep the racket in front of the body.

Footwork and positioning are central to effective blocking. The feet should point toward the net, ensuring the player is balanced and ready to move. When the incoming ball is low, the racket head stays low to push the ball back, avoiding the tendency to lift the ball upward. The coach advocates for playing 85 percent of shots down the middle to reduce the opponent's angles and force errors. Players should adjust their rhythm and preparation speed based on the pace of the incoming ball, keeping the movement minimal when time is limited.