Bunch vs Spread Blocking
Much like there are two distinct styles of blocking footwork, there are two distinct styles of blocking formation. The Bunch Block and the Spread Block. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, and they can be altered slightly depending on game-time situations. I will try to go through the basics of each, their advantages and disadvantages, and the changes you can make depending on your game situation.
The Bunch Block
Basic concept and setup:
Bunch Block Setup
The Bunch Block is set up with all three of your blockers in the center of the court about arms length apart. This allows for your blockers to double and/or triple block the opposing Middle Blocker without too much additional movement, but requires that your blockers be more adept at reading the setter. Quicker reactions are also needed to cover quick sets that move the bunch block left and right. The outside blocker is responsible for setting up the position of the block in front of the hitter. The middle blocker's responsibility is to get there and close the window (gap) between the blockers.
Using the Bunch Block requires that your blockers move as a cohesive unit when the set moves to either antenna, and thus is more effective if your blockers are familiar with the Swing Block technique as it allows you to cover more ground. For example, if the attack were coming from the opposing OH your right side blocker (S/Opp) and your middle would swing out to block the hitter while your left side blocker or off-blocker (OH) would drop back on defense.
Bunch Block Right
To block an attack from the opposite antenna, you would do just the opposite, having your left side blocker and middle blocker move as a cohesive unit to their left, and your right side blocker as your off-blocker drop back on defense.
The off-blocker's responsibility is to dig the hard cut shot/cross-court shot around the 10-foot (attack) line and to cover tips in their area (2 or 4 depending on if they are right or left) and area 3.
Advantages:
- Less movement required for double and triple blocking the opposing middle blocker's attack. Thus effective against middle dominant offenses.
- Can work as a timing-mechanism for your blockers to be up in the air at the same time.
Disadvantages:
- Requires a higher proficiency from your blockers in reading the setter.
- Depending on your personnel, could be slow to adjust to sets outside to the antenna.
- Generally more difficult to execute properly, requires a lot more training.
The Spread Block
Spread Block Setup
The Spread Block is set up with your middle blocker in the middle of the net and each of your two wing blockers spread out wide shadowing the positioning of the OH and Setter/Opposite. This allows for your to guarantee at least a single block on a hitter from any position with less need to read/adjust to the opposing setter. Quick reactions are required if it is decided to double block the middle blocker, or react to combination sets. The outside blocker is responsible for setting up the position of the block in front of the hitter. The middle blocker's responsibility is to get there and close the window (gap) between the blockers.
Using the Spread Block requires that your middle blocker reads the setter and closes the gap. The slide block technique is common for teams that run a spread block formation. For example, if the attack were coming from the opposing OH, your right side blocker (S/Opp) would already be set up in front of the opposing hitter. Your middle would then read the set and move to block the hitter while your left side blocker or off-blocker (OH) would drop back on defense.
To block an attack from the opposite antenna, you would do just the opposite, having your left side blocker and middle blocker move as a cohesive unit to their left, and your right side blocker as your off-blocker drop back on defense.
Identical to the bunch block, the off-blocker's responsibility is to dig the hard cut shot/cross-court shot around the 10-foot (attack) line and to cover tips in their area (2 or 4 depending on if they are right or left) and area 3.
Advantages:
- Less movement by your players
- Easier to teach
- Guarantees at least a single block on the outside sets
Disadvantages:
- Leaves your middle blocker alone to solo-block the opposing middle and adjust to quick-sets and combination sets.
- Timing of your blockers may not be in unison, as your wing blocker is already in position and your middle blocker needs to move.
In-game Usage
Assuming that your players are familiar with both the swing and slide block footwork, you can alter your block formations depending on your opponent. You can even blend the two together depending on what the opposing offense is doing.
- If you know the other team rarely uses their middle as an offensive player, you can spread your block out to cover their outside hitters.
- If the middle blocker is prone to hitting to their right, you can bunch two players on that side of the middle and spread the other blocker out wide.
- Against a middle heavy offense with a talented middle who hits both sides, I would bunch block and either allow my players to read the hitter's swing, or employ a triple block in the middle.
For the teams I have worked with that were more experienced, I always used a bunch block formation with the swing block technique to start the match, and adjusted formation depending on how the other team's offense is being run.
Just be aware that adjustments will always need to be made in-game both offensively and defensively as both teams adjust to each others strategies. I would recommend teaching your players both formations and both footwork techniques to keep them as versatile as possible. This allows you to change things on the fly to keep up with the opposing team's offensive adjustments.