Santa Cruz Volleyball Forum

What does hands closed or hands open behind blocker's back mean? Please explain. Thank you.

To answer your question I'm assuming West Coast players use the same signals as I learned and used in my Gulf Coast and East Coast experience, but I would also recommend discussing the signals you use with your partner(s) before you play to alleviate any mistaken communication.

A closed fist indicates the blocker is not planning to block the player on that side and will be dropping off the net on defense. Since the blocker doesn't want to give that fact away too soon he will usually stay at the net until right before the setter touches the ball (or right after if he is quick enough). If the pass is coming really close to the net he should stay to make sure the ball doesn't come over the net on one or to block the other player in case he tries to take it over on the second hit. When playing against a team that goes over on two a lot, I like to give a second signal whenever I show a closed fist so my partner will know where I plan to block if it ends up coming over on two.

An open hand indicates the blocker will be blocking the ball. In other words, she will alter her block based upon the angle of attack, speed of the hitter's arm, watching the hitter's shoulder, etc. That makes it a little harder on the digger, but if the blocker is big and the digger is quick enough and good at "reading" the hitter, this call can be just as effective as the simple line or angle blocking call.

If anyone out there uses these signals to indicate something different, please chime in as I would be interested to hear what they are and the strategy behind them.

Tom

Tom--nice explanation.

Throwing in an occasional "fake" block and then dropping back quickly often works against teams that shoot on 2 a lot.