9.  What's the best way to learn to block?

    Ramblin', aka rmp@crashnburn.Eng.Sun.COM (Richard Pottorff),        

    gave a summary: "I was told the outside blocker lines up with his

    nose on the hitter's hitting shoulder. The middle blocker will come

    over to stand beside the outside blocker to close the block. Each

    blocker will start with his hands in a nearly "Mickey Mouse" position

    i.e. hands height of  his neck, and thumbs  overlapping the

    shoulders.  When you jump, go to about a 1/4 knee bend, keeping

    your hands in  the Mickey Mouse  position. As you jump (half a count

    after the hitter (unless he's running a one) extend your arms up, and

     over the net (I  find that the shorter  the hitter I'm up against, the

     farther I try to  penetrate the net, and the higher the hitter can get

    up the higher I try to reach). Don't swing your arms, just put them

     over the net and take away a section of the back court. If the ball

     hits your hands, a quick flick to put the ball down a little quicker

     works nicely. If you  are the outside blocker, angle your hands in 

     slightly to keep the ball from rebounding out of bounds. To improve

     your technique, stand at a net in the Mickey Mouse position, and do

     your blocking jumps.   When I pratice my blocking, I'll jump at the

     middle, step and crossover  to one side, jump, step and crossover to

      the middle,   jump, step and crossover to the other side, jump, step

     and crossover  back to middle,  jump, and repeat. Its a goo  

     workout, and gets you used to jumping  and moving right after the

     jump."