SETTER PROCEDURES

3a/5a is setting style 1, 3b/5b is setting style 2

 1.        As you allow someone else to take the first ball over the net,  move forward to the right side of the net, hold your right hand up and yell 'right here, right here' and have your spacing be about arms length from the net.  Allow your eyes to follow the ball's destination and put your body in the appropriate position.   Move toward the passer after you get your net awareness.

2.        Be ready to get second ball anywhere ( Or call HELP) For less experienced players, make pass easier for passers by being at net, directly in front of the passer's right shoulder. If you take the first ball call loudly 'Setter's out'.

3.     A      Get under ball with feet set – Knees bent, elbows somewhat out and 85% extended.  Keep your palms up with thumbs pointing directly toward each other.  Be ready to receive ball. –eyes-nose under ball. Head tilted slightly back. 

      B      Get under ball with feet set-- Knees bent, elbows just past shoulder width apart and directly in front of shoulders with hands just above your forehead with your thumbs pointing toward your forehead.  There is almost a 90 degree angle made at the elbow with your upper arm and forearm.                                                           

4.        Have chest or back facing directly toward the target. Try not to set with shoulder parallel to net.  Only perpendicular. (Until you become more advanced)

5.     A       Spring up with calf muscles and thigh muscles--ankles and knees as you step with your left foot then right foot.  As ball comes into hands, extend arms to 95% similar to a superhero lifting off for flight.    The weight of the ball hitting your hands on the way up should cause your wrists to slightly flex back toward your nose.  There should be almost no sound and ball should slowly spin backwards.

     B        Step toward the ball with your left foot then your right as you maneuver your body position such that the ball, if not touched, would hit on your forehead as you looked up.  Allow the ball to hit in your hands just above your forehead and give the needed force from the catapult like movement with the elbows serving as a fulcrum.  Shorter sets need only wrist movement, where longer sets need full wrist and forearm toward the setting arc.  On forward sets the upper arms seemingly stay in the same spot during the forward motion of the forearms and wrist.   Move toward the hitters as you set the ball to increase power and cover hitters.

6.   Know where specific hitters like the ball set.  Off the net, on the net, inside the antennae, etc.  Learn by repetition the arc needed for each type of set.   Put ball in position to allow hitter full arm extension.    Become consistent.  Remain consistent.  Practice. 

7.   Establish the middle and then learn to read the defense so you can start setting the ball where your hitter will have only one blocker.  Encourage hitters to hit quicker sets.

8.   If you are not under control, set the closest hitter, even back row players.  Don't try to make a miracle set when off balance or when you get a bad pass.

9.   Remember outcomes.  Was ball blocked, dug, hit in net, hit out, or was it a kill ?  Use all information for next set decision.  Who is my best option for the current situation.

10.    Look for ricochet ball off  block. Notice opponents defensive holes as you hurry and get back to your defensive position.

                                                  Arm Setting

1.  Sometimes it becomes necessary to take the second ball with you arms near the net.  Either with a bad pass or an errant dig.

2.  When setting with your arms, try to use your legs (ankles, knees, hips) to move your arms and not your shoulders.

3.  Start your arms extended out parallel to the floor and pointing to hitting area.  Ankles bent, knees bent, hips bent.

4.  Have arms low enough to take ball on upper forearm and then ball hits arms, raise up with ankles, knees and hips, causing the ball to go up softly.

                                         ADVANCED SETTING

A1) When coming to the front notice opponents defensive transition.  Already have in your mind --Who are the opponents  good blockers?     Where is the open spot ?  Which one of your hitters can put the ball there ?  Think about the your hitters' match-up. Where is their middle blocker positioned?

       Use experience and current point situation to help with decision. Find the best match-ups.  Who can come through for you ? A good pass always helps your decisions.  Get your middle up before the set.

A2) Get a feel of where the middle blocker is - Send set away from double block.

A3) Learn to use jump sets all the time so opponents will think you are an offensive threat even when you are a back row player.

A4)  Keep middle blocker honest by using dumps at times when hole in middle area.  Also when you are a front row player, take advantage of opponents middle court by hitting second balls passed high and close to the net.  Make your jump to set and jump to hit look the same.  

                                             Setter Training Ideas

1.  Using a Setter Ball, which is a little heavier than a regulation volleyball, work on form as described above. To yourself or someone else.

2.  Another training idea involves 3 participants.  2 participants face each other about 5 ft. apart.  The third person stands about 4ft behind one of the other two. facing that persons back.   Example:  These bracket symbols are representative of how the players are positioned.  [    ]  ]    The player in the middle only sets backward and the player behind the middle player sets over the player in the middle to the player farthest away.  Then that player sets the ball short to the player in the middle who sets it back to the one behind and so on.   You can do this with a setter ball and then insert a regulation ball after 8 or 9 sets. Switch players around so they can participate at each of the three positions.  Move players up and back to simulate short and long sets.

3.  Shoot baskets using the setter form and procedure as described in Setter Procedures.  Just over the rim from different distances.

More to come.