Despite what some players may think getting blocked is a natural part of the game.  The important thing is not the block but the coverage behind the hitter that can keep the ball in play and give the hitter another opportunity to swing at the ball.  Hitter coverage is just as important if you are a good offensive team or a poor hitting team.  A team that covers the hitter well can be very frustrating to play and helps to eliminate the momentum swings that blocks can give your opponents.
   Hitter coverage is a mentality just like defense.  The unwillingness to allow a ball to hit the floor on your side of the net can transcend from defense into hitting coverage.  The following pages will go over some individual technique for players and then the team coverage responsibilities for each hitter.
   One common mistake of coverage players is to over cover the hitter.  These players will charge all the way up until they are so close to the hitter that they have a difficult time actually playing the ball off the