Can a back row setter block?

Question
Hello,
We are playing 5-1. When the setter is in the back row and the pass is overbumped, is the setter allowed to jump up and block?
Thanks for your time.
Ali

Answer
Hello Ali!

Thanks for the email and welcome to www.allexperts.com  It was great hearing from you.  

The situation you described is illegal.  At no time may a back row player reach above the net and touch a ball that's being sent over by the opponents.

The key words in what I just typed are "over the net".  If your setter can reach over the net, then as soon as she touches the opponent's hit, the whistle will sound, and the ref will put his two arms up in the air (almost like a touchdown in football, except his elbows are at his shoulders), and the other team gets the point.

However, if the setter is 4'10" or so, and jumping doesn't get her hands over the net, then contacting an opponents spike won't be a block!!  BUT it WILL count as one of your teams three hits!!  Why?  B/c it's not a block!  

Then what must your back row setters do?  They must either:
a) jump set the ball to their teammate;
b) get down and get ready to dig the ball as it's hit or flushed by the opponent's blocker, or;
c) get down and try to save the ball as it's coming out of the net.
Those are her only choices.  

Have you visited www.coachhouser.com yet?  Oh, you're in for a treat!!  Have a great week!


Tom Houser

Coach Tom Houser
Director, STAR Volleyball Site Camps  
Head Coach, Roanoke Juniors.  Qualified for Nationals in 2006 and 2009.
www.coachhouser.com

The more of ourselves that we sacrifice for our team,
the more glory our team will give back to us.