Block-Out

A block-out, also known as a tool, wipe, or using the block, is an offensive technique in volleyball where an attacker deliberately directs their spike off the opponent's blocker's hands or arms with the intention of causing the ball to deflect out of bounds, resulting in a point for the attacking team. This sophisticated offensive skill transforms the blocker from a defensive asset into an unwitting accomplice in the attacker's scoring play, representing one of the highest levels of offensive intelligence and ball control in volleyball. The block-out is particularly valuable because it provides attackers with an alternative scoring method when a direct kill through or around the block is not available, when the block is well-positioned and would likely defend a traditional attack, or when the attacking team needs a high-percentage play to score a critical point. The fundamental concept behind the block-out is rooted in the rules of volleyball which state that if the ball contacts a blocker and then travels out of bounds without being touched by another defending player, the point is awarded to the attacking team, creating an opportunity for skilled attackers to exploit this rule by deliberately targeting the blockers' hands in ways that guarantee an out-of-bounds deflection. The technical execution of a block-out requires exceptional hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and contact precision that begins with the attacker reading the block formation and identifying opportunities where the blockers' hands are positioned near the sideline or endline boundaries, continues with the approach and jump phase where the attacker establishes optimal position and timing relative to both the set and the blockers, and culminates with the hand contact on the ball where the attacker uses specific techniques to direct the ball off the blocker's hands at angles that ensure it will travel out of bounds. The primary block-out techniques vary based on the blocker's positioning and the court boundaries: the line tool involves hitting the ball off the outside hand of an outside blocker so it deflects out of bounds over the sideline, requiring the attacker to contact the outside portion of the ball with a glancing angle rather than full force, the high-off-hands technique targets the top of the blocker's hands or fingertips with an upward trajectory that causes the ball to deflect high and long over the endline, and the wipe-off involves brushing the ball across the blocker's hands or arms with a sideways motion that redirects it out of bounds while making it appear the blocker made the final touch. The attacker's hand positioning and ball contact are critical elements that determine block-out success: the contact point on the ball must be precise with the attacker hitting slightly off-center to create the desired deflection angle, the hand must be controlled and deliberate rather than swinging with full power which could cause the ball to deflect unpredictably, the wrist snap is often reduced or modified compared to a standard spike to maintain control and accuracy, and the follow-through is adjusted to guide the ball along the intended deflection path. Reading the blocker's hand position and adjusting the shot in mid-air represents one of the most sophisticated skills in volleyball, requiring attackers to process information about the blocker's penetration over the net which affects deflection angles, the blocker's hand spacing and positioning which reveal potential gaps or edges to target, the blocker's timing and whether they are early, late, or perfectly timed which influences contact possibilities, and the proximity of the sideline or endline boundaries which determines the margin for error in the deflection angle. The strategic value of the block-out extends beyond simply scoring points when direct kills are not available, as it forces blockers into difficult decisions about hand positioning where pulling hands inward to avoid being tooled creates larger hitting angles for the attacker, places psychological pressure on blockers who must defend both aggressive attacks and precise placement shots, creates uncertainty in defensive systems that must account for both balls hit through or around the block and balls deflected off the block, and demonstrates offensive sophistication that can intimidate opponents and energize the attacking team. Different positions and attackers employ block-out techniques with varying frequency and methods: outside hitters use block-outs extensively because they attack from angles near the sideline where tooling opportunities are abundant and the line blocker's outside hand is vulnerable, opposite hitters attacking from the right side similarly exploit sideline positioning though they must execute with their non-dominant angle, middle attackers use block-outs less frequently because they attack from the center of the court farther from boundaries but may employ high-off-hands techniques when facing strong blocks, and back-row attackers from beyond the attack line can use block-outs when attacking against front-row blockers who are positioned near the court edges. Training for block-out proficiency involves multiple specialized components that address the technical precision and tactical awareness required: targeted spiking drills where coaches or training partners hold blocking pads in specific positions and attackers practice hitting the ball off the pads at precise angles to simulate block-outs, spatial awareness exercises that help attackers develop a sense of their position relative to court boundaries and blocker positioning, video analysis sessions where attackers study opponent blocking tendencies to identify patterns and vulnerabilities that create block-out opportunities, situational scrimmages that recreate game scenarios where block-outs are the highest-percentage play, and controlled practice where attackers work on the specific hand positions and contact techniques required for different block-out variations. Common mistakes in block-out attempts include attackers swinging too hard which reduces control and makes deflection angles unpredictable, targeting the blocker's hands when they are positioned too far from the boundaries making it impossible for the deflection to go out of bounds, failing to read the block formation and attempting block-outs against blockers whose hands are pulled in or positioned poorly for tools, making the block-out attempt too obvious through telegraphing arm swing or approach which allows smart blockers to adjust, and attempting block-outs in situations where a direct kill is available and would be a higher-percentage play. Defensive counter-strategies against block-outs have evolved as this offensive technique has become more prevalent: blockers learn to recognize attackers who frequently use block-outs and adjust hand positioning by pulling the outside hand inward away from the sideline boundary, keeping hands closer together to reduce gaps and edges that can be exploited, varying penetration depth to make the deflection angles less predictable, and in some cases deliberately not blocking certain attackers known for block-outs to eliminate the tool opportunity entirely. The cat-and-mouse game between attackers seeking to tool the block and blockers trying to prevent being tooled represents one of volleyball's most interesting tactical battles that plays out repeatedly within matches. Statistical tracking of block-outs can provide insights into offensive sophistication and decision-making: metrics might include successful block-out percentage which measures how often tool attempts result in points, block-out frequency by rotation or situation which reveals when and where attackers use this technique, the ratio of block-outs to direct kills which indicates an attacker's shot diversity and adaptability, and block-out success rates against specific opponents or blockers which can inform tactical targeting in game situations. At elite levels of volleyball, the block-out is considered an essential skill that separates good attackers from great ones, with the world's top outside hitters regularly employing tools and wipes as part of their offensive repertoire, using the block-out not just as a secondary option but as a primary weapon that keeps blockers off-balance and creates scoring opportunities in situations where other attackers would struggle. The block-out exemplifies the tactical complexity and skill diversity that makes volleyball such a sophisticated and strategic sport, where success requires not only physical abilities but also intelligence, creativity, and the ability to exploit opponents' defensive positioning.