Setting Skills

Introduction
Setters are very important players on the volleyball court. You’re the "quarterback" of the team because you control the tempo on your side, create the offense, & maintain the momentum. It’s also a hard position to play (believe me, I know) because you have to adjust your sets to every individual hitter. If you’re setting to taller players, it is preferable to set the ball closer to the net. If you’re setting to shorter players, you should set about 5 feet off the net. As a setter, you should be in great shape because you’re the one that moves around the court the most. It is your duty to be the second person to contact the ball, & it’s a hard task to do, especially if you’re coming from the back row. Setting is a skill that takes a lot of practice to master.

Technique: Your Hands
Elevate your hands about 4 to 6 inches above your forehead. Cock your hands in order to make your thumbs & index fingers form a "triangular window". However, your hands should not be touching. Also, point your elbows out at an angle between 45 & 90 degrees. Your hands are supposed to "cradle" the ball, so make sure all of your fingers touch the ball. The ring fingers & the pinkies stabilize the ball. Also, the more surface area you touch, the better you can control the ball.

Technique: Your feet
When you’re setting, keep this in mind, "Beat the ball." This means you should hustle to get to the ball. If you’re running & setting at the same time, the ball won’t be in control. However, if you hustle to the ball, stop, "plant" your feet, then set the ball, it will be controlled. Having your feet "planted" means your feet are shoulder-width apart or slightly wider, your knees are bent slightly, & your weight is even distributed from the balls of your feet to the arches. Having your weight too far forward or backward will make it difficult for you to change direction. The foot closest to the net (which is mainly your right foot) should be a little ahead of the other one. This slightly rotates your hips & helps keep the set from drifting too tight or over the net.

Execution
Here’s a tip if you can’t get your hand technique right: picture yourself holding a big jug full of water and you are about to pour that water over your head on a hot day. The ball is your "jug". Take the set at your forehead & as soon as you contact the ball with all of your fingers, push the ball out in a fast motion & follow through. Make sure you see all 10 fingers & don’t move your arms outward. When you already executed your set, your arms should be straight out, like Superman’s, meaning your hands are the same distance apart when you finished your set as they were during contact.

As for the legs & feet, they should help push the ball to the hitter. "Square off" to the target, meaning face your shoulders, hips, & feet in front of the hitter, giving them space to approach the ball. To set long distance sets, place weight on the back foot (mainly the left foot), then transfer your weight to the front foot (mainly the right foot).

Tips
*Always get under the ball, taking the set off your forehead. (To know if your form is correct, the ball will bounce off your forehead.) Taking the set off to one side or to far in front of your body are poor setting techniques.
*You should be in great shape because the setter has to run more than anyone on the team. If you don’t have good endurance, you’ll get tired pretty quickly.
*Most setters are shorter players, so get some vertical in your jump!!
*Since the setters are considered as "quarterbacks" on the court, you should be a good leader on the court & be able to make good setting decisions. Remember, it is your duty to set the offense.
*I consider setters the "double-duty" players because they do so much work. Basically, what I’m trying to say is you should develop all-around skills. You should be able to pass, hit, block, & especially serve just as well as your fellow teammates.
*Listen to your teammates & be open to your hitters’ preferences. Try to adapt to what the hitters are most comfortable with.
*Remember, setting is a hard skill to master. If you first learn how to set, don’t expect your set to be as high as it should be. Always practice, practice, practice. You’ll get it soon!! =)