Volleyball Coaching Info

Setter Development Part 1

At any level, a team cannot succeed without a setter who is able to “run the show.” In order to be effective, a setter must be willing to put in the extra time it takes to develop mental and physical skills. This article outlines the essential components to developing a successful setter.

Attacking and emergency skills will not be included, but are an important part of the offense. The elements of successful setting are defined and ideas for developing each will be presented.

• Execution (Game performance)
• Deception (Creation 1-on-1 situations)
• Reaction (Taking advantage of what the defense gives the setter)
• Strategy (Developing a game plan)
• Consistency (The foundation: Body posture, delivery, touch on the ball, pace of the set)

Consistency

Attacking, at any level, depends on the ability of the setter to deliver the ball to the same location, with the same pace, on a consistent basis.

Consistent body posture and delivery are essential to producing the same set, over and over. Only through the setter’s ability to be consistent, can the attackers have the confidence to aggressively play their part in the offense. A setter’s ability to be consistent can only be developed through a season-long system emphasizing high reps of the setting skill.

Fan Drill. Tosser (or passer) delivers ball from different areas on the court to allow the setter to see the ball coming from different angles. Tosser feeds ball to different areas of the court for the setter to set, emphasizing the need for the setter to square her body to the left front position. (Both front and back sets should be utilized.)

Repetitive Sets With Middle Hitters (setting middle attack and quick tempo balls). Use middle hitter for targets and feedback.

Double Triangles. (2 balls) See diagram below.

Gives opportunity for high reps for outside sets, and emphasizes reacting, rather than thinking. Also great for developing body posture and touch.

Exercises

Wall Sets (1′ from wall) (start at 200 and build to ~500). Emphasis should be on good hand positioning and quick touch.

Repetitive Outside and Back Sets (from toss or pass). Feedback should be given on consistent body posture, set location and pace.

Across the Net Jump Set With Partner (from 10′ line). Emphasize consistent release and body posture in the air.

Set From Knees (with tosser or partner). Tosser feeds balls to setter, who must set all sets from the knees, emphasizing push with hands and shoulders, rather than legs.

Set From Stomach (like a seal). With partner (~5′ apart) Develops touch on ball and strengthens core muscles.

Next month’s issue will include developing a setter’s strategy for competition.