Who can block, and does a block count as one of our three hits?

Who can block (Rule 14.1): only front-row players may complete a block, and part of the body must be higher than the top of the net when they touch the ball. A back-row player or libero who completes a block, or takes part in a completed block, commits a fault. A libero may not even attempt a block.

Block and team hits (Rule 14.4): in indoor volleyball, a block contact does not count as a team hit. After a block touch, your team still has three hits to return the ball, and the blocker may make the first of them.

Other block rules:

• Quick, continuous contacts by one or more blockers during one action are allowed.
• You may reach over the net to block, but you may not touch the ball in the opponent's space before they make their attack hit.
• Blocking an opponent's serve is forbidden.
• Blocking the ball in the opponent's space from outside the antenna is a fault, and so is a ball that goes out off the block.