Volleyball Set: Master the Skills for Perfect Plays

Volleyball is a team sport in which players attempt to hit the ball over the net while blocking other team attacks.

Each side only has three chances at returning the ball over to win points and earn victory for themselves.

An effective attack requires that the volleyball player take several steps (the “approach”) and jumps, before setting the ball with both hands at once – maximizing the effectiveness of the attack.

The Basics

A volleyball set is one of the key skills any volleyball player must master, as it enables players to place the ball so that it can only be hit over the net for points.

A quality set can make all the difference in a game by ensuring that it cannot easily be intercepted or returned for points.

There are various approaches to setting volleyball, each offering its own advantages and disadvantages.

A skilled setter should experiment with various options until finding which styles and locations best serve their team.

An effective set to a middle attacker can make life hard for the opposing team’s blockers because it forces them to jump and drift laterally, known as a flare set or “1.”

A back-row “go” set requires left-side hitters to execute an extended jump to avoid being blocked by two blockers on one pass.

A consistent hand technique is key when performing a volleyball set. To start, place both hands down on the floor with fingers spread apart so they touch.

After this step, push finger pads closer together then pull your elbows out at about 45-degree angles from your midline until your arms form an angle of approximately 45 degrees with both ground and outside your midline.

Positioning

Setting is an essential aspect of volleyball that demands significant practice time. Setters account for up to one-third of ball contacts on an attack team and have an enormous effect on its timing.

Furthermore, their performance can make or break a hitter’s confidence to make solid contact.

Consistency in positioning of setters in the back row is key in order to create an effective attack and provide a solid defensive foundation for other team players.

As soon as a ball arrives, quickly squaring up with it is of paramount importance.

A setter should move towards it along a direct path taking only necessary steps, then once in their position use their hands and body to set it.

Before starting to set, a setter must spread their feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and slightly in front of one of their other feet nearer the net.

This will allow their hips and shoulders to move into their proper positions ready to receive the ball. Furthermore, it is vitally important that they bend their knees evenly while spreading their weight throughout their feet, ankles, and arches.

Movement

Volleyball is an exhilarating and highly strategic game that demands both the attention and skill of its players and coaches alike.

Professional and collegiate volleyball offers varied set structures that create nail-biting moments, which keep fans enthralled while simultaneously showcasing teams’ strategic ability.

Key to the setting motion is dynamically rotating the shoulders to face the hitter and deliver an effective pass.

While this movement may strain their bodies, young setters should work closely with a coach on learning how to brace their core during this rotational action.

As well as using their shoulders, setters must bring both of their arms up in an elongated double-arm action to increase set height and enable hitters to pass over blockers into the opposing court.

Before setting the ball, setters should ensure their knees are slightly bent, weight evenly distributed from her balls of feet to arches, and hands in a “ball-shaped” formation.

This will allow them to remain flexible and quick while making necessary changes once handed the ball from a teammate.

Techniques

Setting the ball quickly and correctly can have a dramatic impact on its quality. Therefore, it’s vitally important that you practice different setting techniques to be prepared for every possible scenario in a game – whether this means jumping sets, setting while moving or falling or using both hands at the same time.

Jump sets add an unexpected element of surprise to an attack by allowing the setter to deliver it mid-air.

To maximize effectiveness and keep opponents at bay, setters should time their jump in conjunction with passing sequences to maximize efficiency in making plays quickly and catching defense off-guard.

A forearm pass is an invaluable volleyball technique that allows setters to gain quick control of the ball when dealing with difficult situations, such as high or hard-driven serves or blocker attempts to trap their hands.

It can help regain possession quickly when faced with high serves that quickly displace, or when blockers attempt to trap a setter’s hands.

Setting requires having a secure grip on the ball, which is achieved by placing all ten fingers with an optimal contact pattern on it, such as full coverage of the surface area by each finger contact pattern.

This enables greater control in setting, which is essential to avoid mistakes such as double hitting or lifting of balls during sets. In addition, for a successful grip to develop it requires slight bending of elbows and quick wrist snapping at contact.