18 BLOCK

18.1 DEFINITION
Blocking is the action of players close to the net
to intercept the ball coming from the opponent by
reaching higher than the top of the net (Diagram 5).
18.2 HITS BY THE BLOCKER
The first hit after the block may be executed by any
player, including the one who has touched the ball at
the block.
18.3 BLOCK WITHIN THE OPPONENT’S SPACE
In blocking, the player may place his/her hands and
arms beyond the net provided that his/her action
does not interfere with the opponent’s play. Thus, it
is not permitted to touch the ball beyond the net until
the opponent has executed an attack-hit.
18.4 BLOCKING CONTACT
18.4.1 A blocking contact is counted as a team hit. The
blocking team will have only two more hits after a
blocking contact.
18.4.2 Consecutive (quick and continuous) contacts may
occur by one or more blockers provided that the contacts are made during one action.
These are counted as only one team hit (Rule 18.4.1 above).
18.4.3 These contacts may occur with any part of the body.
18.5 BLOCKING FAULTS
18.5.1 The blocker touches the ball in the opponent’s space either before or simultaneously with
the opponent’s attack-hit (Rule 18.3, above).
18.5.2 A player blocks the ball in the opponent’s space from outside the antenna.
18.5.3 A player blocks the opponent’s service.
18.5.4 The ball is sent “out” off the block.