Written by The Editors and Photo by Mpu Dinani
You ever watch beach volleyball and see someone pull off a jaw-dropping block—like, just stuff the other team’s spike out of nowhere—and think, “How the heck did they do that?” That, my friend, is the magic of the kill block. And nobody pulls it off better than Canada’s own Brandie Wilkerson.
Brandie doesn’t just defend—she transforms the game. One second the other team is lining up a spike, thinking they’ve got the point in the bag, and then boom—Brandie’s up there like a wall of steel, sending that ball right back in their faces. It’s part athleticism, part timing, part science. And it’s awesome.
Let’s dig into what makes her so effective—and what you can learn from her if you're ever tempted to hit the beach and smack a ball around yourself.
Beach Volleyball: Not Just Sand and Sunshine
Here’s the thing—beach volleyball isn’t just the chill, sunny cousin of indoor volleyball. It’s a whole different beast. You only get two players per team, which means you’re not just the blocker or the spiker or the server. You’re all of them.
From diving and digging to jumping and setting, it’s a full-body workout every time you step on the sand. And let’s be clear—this is not the same sand you nap on during your vacation. Regulation beach volleyball sand is sieved and specialized so it doesn’t stick to your feet or weigh you down. It actually helps you jump better. If you’re playing on regular beach sand, though, it’s going to be tougher. That stuff grabs your feet and drags you back to Earth—so you’ve got to push off harder.
The Science of the Block: Timing Is Everything
Now let’s talk about the real showstopper: the block.
Brandie’s signature move? Timing. She’s basically the beach volleyball version of an anti-missile defense system. As soon as she sees the other team set up a spike, she gets low—like, serious squat low. And just when the attacker hits peak height and swings, Brandie launches straight up, arms tight, hands like paddles just waiting to smack the ball down.
It’s not about just jumping high—it’s about when you jump. She reads the play, times her leap perfectly, and—bam—the ball doesn’t even make it to her side. That kind of anticipation takes practice, sure, but it also takes crazy awareness and athletic control.
Digging Deep—Literally
Another defensive move that flips the game? Digging. Sounds simple, but it’s a full-body rocket launch from the ground up.
Imagine this: the ball’s flying at you after a spike. You drop low, knees bent deep, arms locked together, and then explode outward—not upward, but outward—like a superman dive. Your arms make contact, and you send the ball sky-high to keep the rally going. That’s a dig. And Brandie? She does it like it’s second nature.
What’s cool is how these defensive plays—blocking and digging—aren’t just about survival. They’re about flipping the script and going right back on offense. That’s what separates a good player from a legend.
What You Can Take Away
Okay, maybe you’re not aiming for Olympic glory—but there’s still a ton to learn from watching athletes like Brandie. Whether you're getting into beach volleyball for the workout, the fun, or the competition, a little understanding of the mechanics and physics goes a long way.
Know the sand you're playing on. Master your timing. Learn to dig like it matters. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll pull off your own epic block one day.
Now get out there and hit the sand—you’ve got some spiking (and stuffing) to do.