Can You Block The Serve in Volleyball?

As a volleyball coach for many years, one of the most common questions I’ve gotten from young players is “Can You Block The Serve in Volleyball?” It’s a simple question with a simple answer – no, you can’t block the serve directly in volleyball. But I’ve realized that it represents so much more than just the rules of the game.

When a beginning player asks if they can block the serve, it shows me that they’re thinking critically about the sport. They want to find the fastest, most efficient way to win points.

And while spiking the serve down may seem logical, there are good reasons it’s against the rules.

Can You Block The Serve in Volleyball?

In this article, I’ll cover:

The official rules about blocking/attacking the serve.
Alternatives like setting the serve over or attacking from the back row.
Why I think it’s a GREAT sign when young players ask this question.
Tips for coaches and players on creative thinking.

The Official Rules on Blocking/Attacking the Serve

Let’s start by looking at the official volleyball rules. According to the FIVB:

“To block an opponent’s service is forbidden.”

Pretty clear, right? You’re not allowed to jump up and stuff the ball back down on the opponent’s serve. It would be an automatic point for them.

The same goes for attacking the ball above the height of the net from inside the 10-foot line. The rule states:

“A player completes an attack hit on the opponent’s service when the ball is in the front zone and entirely higher than the top of the net.”

So no spiking allowed either. But here’s a loophole.

It is technically legal to attack the serve from the back row. As long as you’re behind the 10-foot line, you can jump and spike the ball down. Not sure how often that would actually work, but interesting to know!

Alternatives: Setting Over or Attacking from the Back Row

Since you can’t block or attack the serve directly, what are some other options?

In indoor volleyball, it’s legal to return the serve over the net to the other side, either by passing or setting it over. But realistically, this isn’t a very effective tactic at higher levels.

When you’re playing against 6 blockers on the other side of the net, sending the ball right back to them allows their offense to set up easily. As a coach, I want my players to VALUE the serve return and set up their own offense, not just give the ball away.

However, on the beach, there may be rare cases where passing/setting the serve over works as a surprise tactic. If the server runs up and leaves part of the court open, quickly sending the ball back could catch them off guard.

But in most cases, taking time to set up your offense is better than rushing. Patience and ball control are everything in volleyball.

The Question Shows Players are Thinking Creatively!

Now we come to the most important part. While the rules clearly prohibit blocking/attacking the serve, I LOVE it when young players ask this question!

To me, it shows that they’re thinking critically about the game, not just accepting things blindly. They imagine new possibilities and want to find the fastest way to score points.

Imagine how fun volleyball would be if you could just stuff the ball down off the serve! It would be a totally different game built around blocking rather than lengthy rallies.

Of course, there are very good reasons for the rules as they stand. Blocking the serve would make volleyball incredibly one-dimensional. By necessitating a volley, the rules allow for much more strategy, teamwork, and athleticism.

But I never want to shut down creative thinking. As a coach, I see it as my job to encourage players to analyze the game and imagine innovations. The kids asking “Can I block the serve?” are future visionaries of volleyball!

Tips for Coaches and Players

Here are a few tips based on this concept of creative thinking:

For coaches: Foster an environment where players feel safe to ask questions and think freely. Don’t just focus on drilling the “right” techniques.
For players: Imagine how you could break the norms and change the game. Think about how and why the rules came to be.
Try new warm-up games and drills that challenge your imagination. Get outside the box!
Discuss hypothetical rule changes as a team and how they would affect strategy. Would 7 vs 7 work? How about no back-row restrictions?
Write down innovative plays or formations you think could work. Experiment with trying them out in practice.

The key is not just blindly following the status quo. By analyzing WHY the game is structured as it is, you gain a deeper understanding that allows you to excel.

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The Bottom Line

While blocking and attacking the serve is against the rules, I love it when young players ask about it. It shows creativity and critical thinking, which will only help as they develop.

As a coach, I try to encourage my players to analyze the sport from new angles. Think about why the rules are what they are and imagine innovations that could change volleyball strategy.

Sure, you may never stuff a serve down like you’re Sauron smashing Hobbits. But the right questions lead to insights that will make you a smarter, more successful player down the road.

So keep asking “What if?” and thinking outside the lines. It’s the first step to being an MVP volleyball athlete.