Basic Setting Technique
Setting, sometimes referred to as an "overhead pass" is an essential technique. This is one skill that shortcuts cannot be taken in footwork, and errors are more often called by the referees. In this post we will discuss the basics of setting technique for your hands, feet, and body positioning, as well as the different in-game uses of setting.
Basic Technique:
As with any skill in volleyball (at least when I teach basic skills), everything begins with footwork. When setting, it is doubly important to move to the ball quickly. Run to the spot where the ball is going to go and get there before the ball. That is key, as you will then be able to square your shoulders up to your target earlier and be more accurate with your set. Run normally taking long strides, then take a lot of quick little steps for fine adjustments in your body positioning. Circle around and under the ball making sure you are facing your target.
Facing your target involves "squaring" your shoulders (or having the horizontal line of your shoulders perpendicular to your target). Other coaches will teach you to point your right toe to your target through your set (if you step with your right foot). Once below the ball, ready your hands quickly above your head (about at your forehead) forming the shape of the ball with your hands. Use both your arms and legs to push the ball forward and up, following through with your arms to your target.
When contacting the ball remember to use the pads of your fingers. This is important, because if you are using the palms of your hands or the very tips of your fingers you will more than likely have control issues and/or double-touches which are illegal. If you hear a slapping sound when you set the ball, you know it is incorrect.
It is important to have a little "give" in your wrists as the ball comes into your hands to soften the set and change the direction of the ball's momentum. When done correctly there should be very little sound when you set the ball, and there should be minimal to no spin on the ball when released.
In-game Uses:
There are multiple types of setting which are slightly different from each other in technique. Here we will discuss the different variations and when to use them.
Free-ball passing:
A free-ball is an easy ball coming back over the net to your side. In this situation you would treat it like a basic set. Get to the ball quickly, face your target, and set the ball cleanly to your target with clean wrist action. Be sure you set the ball high enough to give your setter time to get under the ball to then set the ball to your hitter.
Setting:
Much like the free-ball pass and basic technique, get to the spot where the ball is going fast so you can set your feet early and face your target (square your shoulders.) Use both your arms and your legs to provide power to the ball so that if you have to set a long distance you will be able to push the ball all the way to your target. Follow through with your arms to your target.
Note: The back-set is an exception and will be covered in another post.
Serve receive:
A serve receive is a little more complicated. You must first determine the speed of the set. Knowing the strength of your hands is important here, because if you are not strong enough to use your hands on a serve receive it would probably be wiser to quickly move your feet backwards and receive the ball with your arms.
If the serve is a slow, easy, "lollipop" serve, you can probably treat it like a free-ball pass. However, if the serve is a harder float or jump serve you will want to tighten your fingers and wrists and eliminate as much backwards "give" in your wrists. When the ball comes into your hands push only forward instead of allowing give. This will help prevent the odd issue of the ball coming through your hands causing you to make an error on the pass. You still want to face your target on a serve receive using your hands.
Digging:
Making a defensive play, or digging, a hard-driven ball (usually a spike) will be treated much like a hard serve-receive. Tighten your fingers and wrists and push forward on the ball, minimizing any backwards give in your wrists. However, in this case, you will be facing where the ball is coming from (the hitter) and just try to make a play to get the ball up high and in the middle of the court for your setter.