Volleyball Toolbox

Blocking Systems

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Which blocking system is best for your team? Read, Front or Dedicate

In the video clip below Coach Travis Fuller from The Academy Volleyball Club shares the pros and cons of each system and offers ways to attack each.  American Volleyball Coaches Association recently named him one of the nation’s top 30 coaches under 30 years old.

Here is a quick summary of his presentation:

READ

Pros:

  • Always get two blockers up
  • Puts pressure on setter and attackers

Cons:

  • Can be beat by in-system teams
  • Can be beat by tempo

FRONT

Pros:

  • Shuts down Middle Attackers
  • Can easily be used as a hybrid system

DEDICATE

Pros:

  • Resource allocation
  • Puts pressure on role players and setter

Cons:

  • Heavy game-planning required
  • Requires a lot of practice and superior back cover

He also discusses the most important things to consider for your defense

  1. Your front row and back row players must be on the same page
  2. There is enough research to support swing blocking as the superior technique
  • It’s faster
  • Blockers jump higher
  • Blockers cover more ground