Setting Drills

Originally Published in: The Volleyball Drill Book

Provided by: Human Kinetics

Setters are responsible for feeding the ball to the offensive players for termination. Setters can also terminate the ball themselves. A successful setter typically performs numerous repetitions daily and often sets extra balls before and after the rest of the team is finished practicing.

During preseason, it is critical for setters to work on technique and repetitions in private sessions. Hitters can be added to these sessions when setters are ready, but the emphasis must be on set accuracy from various positions on the court.

Getting to the ball is as important as the actual set. Setters need repeated training in preparatory movement. Establish a medium height (knees slightly bent), with the intent to run to the place on the court where the pass is sent and the set will occur. It is almost as if the setter at the net were in starting blocks ready to explode before a race.

Use these training cues to help players master setting:

Beat the ball.

Shape the ball above the forehead.

Square to the target.

Extend as needed.

A quicker, lower set ball does not need complete extension of the arms, but a ball set high to the outside calls for full extension.

SALT-AND-PEPPER SETTING

In this drill the setter has a chance to get in 200 quick repetitions, 100 front sets and 100 back sets, off a live pass.

Purpose

To improve the consistency of the set.

Setup

This drill is run on one side of the court. One setter is in zone 6 at the net. A passer is in the middle back. Coach 1 is in zone 1 at the net with a ball. Coach 2 is in zone 9 at the net with a ball.

Run the Drill

1. Coaches alternate tossing to the passer, who passes the ball to the setter.

2. The setter alternates setting the front set and the back set.

3. When coach 1 in zone 1 tosses the ball, the setter should back-set that ball.

4. When coach 2 in zone 9 tosses the ball, the setter should front-set that ball.

Coaching Point

Provide consistent feedback to the setter.

Variations

• Make the passer move with the toss so that the pass may be more difficult to set.

• Hit the ball to the passer to simulate dug balls.

• Position players in zones 1 and 9 and have them set the ball back to the passer. Use just one ball.

HIGH-LOW, OUT-OF-THE-NET SETTING

Purpose

To give the setter the opportunity to retrieve balls out of the net and set them to a hitter without panicking.

Setup

Setters are at the net in a single line. A target is in the outside-hitter position with an empty basket. A coach or tosser sets up in the middle of the court with a supply of balls. Space exists between the active setter and the other setters.

Run the Drill

1. The coach throws the ball into the net, consistently throwing the ball to the lower half of the net.

2. The setter attempts to set the ball by staying low. The setter should try to set the ball with the hands if possible but can use the forearms if necessary.

3. The target catches the ball and puts it in the basket.

4. The next setter in line takes a turn, and the action is repeated for several rounds.

5. The coach then throws the ball at the top half of the net, and the sequence is repeated.

6. Finally, the coach mixes high and low tosses, and each setter sets three balls per turn. The goal is for the setters to set two or three balls in a row to the target.

Coaching Points

• Point out to players that balls that go to the bottom half of the net, or go in low, tend to come out high. Balls that go into the top half of the net, or go in high, tend to come out low.

• Encourage players to see that the speed of the ball is a factor in how the ball will come out of the net.

• Practice helps setters read the ball better and be able to make a play on a ball coming out of the net.

Variations

• Have the outside hitter attack the ball.

• Have the tosser throw the ball from various positions and angles.

• Have the setter move and set from various positions on the court.