How to be a good setter? Volleyball advice please!

[player2018]

My girlfriend has been my ultimate fan. She has been my greatest supporter since I became a varsity volleyball player of our school. I even played to a lot of international games already, and experienced battles with great players or opponents. But now, I’m facing a new chapter of my volleyball life. My coach converted me to be my team’s setter. This is not new to me since all of our teammates set whenever the first ball comes to our main setter. But he has graduated already. My coach wants me to take the responsibility of being the playmaker in our team. I accepted the challenge with a big heart. Now, how do I become a good setter? Need advice please!

[Vivian]

The pivotal play on any volleyball exchange is the set. The blocker digs the ball to the setter, who positions the ball to the ideal spot for the hitter to get a kill. Running volleyball drills for setting will teach the setter the best way to position the ball as well as building teamwork. Knowing that the setter will position the ball correctly allows the blockers to have confidence that they can dig the ball to the setter and the ball will be taken care of. By the same token, the hitters will have the confidence that their hit will be from the position that will be in the best interest of the currently exchange.

One of the basic volleyball drills for setters is the kill the setter drill. Since all players are potentially defenders, this will teach the setter to transition from defender to setter and back again. To run this drill, the setter starts in the back position, with a hitter in the front position. The coach tosses the ball to the front line. The setter then runs forward and sets the ball to the hitter, then returns to the start position. This prepares the setter for the change in position that is often required to make a good play.

A good setter will be able to see what is happening on the opposite side of the net while setting the ball. One of the volleyball drills designed to initially instill this skill is called reading the block. The setter is in position on his or her side of the net. A player on the other side of the net then tosses the ball over the net. The coach is standing on the same side of the net as the tosser. While the ball is in the air, the coach will make a hand signal of some sort, such as a number of fingers being held up or a variation of paper, scissors, rock. The setter must call out the signal before successfully setting the ball. This volleyball drill builds good initial observation skills in the setter.

To build on the observation skill of the setter, the coach may use a volleyball drill known as reading the blocker. In this instance, a defender is placed in the center position of the court. On the other side of the net, the setter is in position. The ball is tossed to the setter. The defender then moves left or right, or stays in the center position. It is the setter's job to set the ball to the best place to take advantage of where the defender has placed him or herself. If the setter can read where the defender is while setting the ball, he or she can set the ball to the hitter that can take advantage of any lack of coverage.

Running volleyball drills for the setter will give the entire team confidence that the setter knows the best place to set the ball for the hitters to get a kill. The setter will have the confidence needed to help control the momentum of the game while the ball is on their side of the net. These volleyball drills will help the volleyball team become a well organized team that can come up with more kills on a normal basis. As the setter's reactions become more automatic, the drills may even become fun to execute, which, after all, is the whole purpose of the game.

[Drake]

Perhaps one of the most important skills in volleyball to learn is setting. Setting is the pivotal play for any volley, being the transition from the pass to the spike. Volleyball drills aimed at improving the setting skills of your team are some of the most important that you can run. Teaching your team proper techniques while developing control, accuracy and strength will ensure that they can handle any situation that may arise in a game. These volleyball drills will help ensure all of the necessary skills are in place and become almost second nature to your team.

Perhaps one of the most basic of the setting volleyball drills is done by pairs of players. Each player stands a short distance from each other. The first player tosses the ball to the second player who in turn sets it back to the first. The first sets it back and it continues like this until you call an end to the drill. However, after a player sets the ball, you should have them take 3 steps forward, towards their partner. When the ball is set back to them, it should go where the player originally started. This will force the player to go back the three steps he took. The movement is important because it teaches the players to be able to move and set them selves before even touching the ball. Obviously, proper form is critical for this set of volleyball drills to have an impact.

Volleyball drills are usually created to simulate real game situations. However, since they are just drills, you are welcome to stretch the bounds of reality a bit. This will come in handy for this next set of drills. Structured much like the previous drill, have your team pair up into partners. They will be setting the ball back and forth to each other. This time, you will have them increase the distance between them to at least 20 feet. At first, you don't want your players to move up and back between sets. Have them work on their accuracy, while they are working on the strength of their arms and fingers. Once they have the basic part of these volleyball drills down, have them increase the distance between them, or have them move forward 3 steps as before. The players will be developing the strengths needed to be a proper setter, as well learning distance accuracy which will help them immensely for short setting.

Incorporating different elements into your volleyball drills is a necessity also. You can use your setting drills to help the players control their lateral movement as well. Have the partners stand facing each other, about 10 feet apart. Player one should stand completely stationary, and set the ball to the right or left of their partner. Player two should then move laterally to intercept the ball and set it back directly to player one. Player one should be sure to switch what side he sets it to in order to keep his partner moving back and forth. After a couple of minutes, have them switch positions. This set of volleyball drills ensures that your players will be able to move sideways to make the play as necessary.

You will probably be working on volleyball drills for setting every practice from your very first day of practice until the very last day. The object is to get your team to be able to make this important play as second nature. They will be using this type of ball contact again and again, so it is best they can make the play without even having to think about it. These volleyball drills go a long way to ensuring that you have a winning team which can be comfortable no matter where or when they play.