In basketball, point guards are responsible for making plays, while setters play a similar role in volleyball. It’s the key player who drives the team’s offense. Their primary responsibility is to deliver the second ball to the hitters, setting the stage for a powerful and successful attack. Setters have one of the most challenging jobs on the court because their success relies heavily on the attackers’ performance. Even skilled setters can appear ineffective if their teammates do not contribute.
These are the setter’s main setting directions!
Left-Side Set
Setting on the left side (or to position 4) is the easiest and safest set in volleyball. A set can be either quick or high depending on the pass or defense, which is up to the hitter to call. Usually, sets are high when the situation is not perfect, either after defense or a bad pass. On the other hand, the setter should play fast if the pass or free ball is excellent, making it hard for the opponent to perform a quality double or triple block.
Right-Side Set
Setting on the right side (or behind position 2 or 1) is more challenging because the setter cannot see the hitter; therefore, the hitter must catch the timing to be able to spike it. Most of the time, the option on the right side is the opposite hitter, which is the best attacker in the team, so it makes sense to set back, especially in hard situations.
Quick Attack
A quick attack is running through the middle and Looking at the statistics, the first tempo in volleyball is the most efficient attack. The job of the middle blocker is to jump every time on the first tempo, and it is the setter’s job to decide whether to set or not. The first tempo or quick attack is highly effective, so it makes sense to set it in the middle of the court if the receiving situation is perfect or positive. Besides, It will give the opposing team an additional threat, forcing the opponent’s middle blocker to jump, and after that, the setter can make plays more freely, increasing the chance of having only one blocker on the wings.
Pipe Attack
The pipe attack same as the quick attack runs through the middle only that is a back row attack, with a position 6 player (Outside Hitter) hitting the ball. The pipe that is performed fast and with the right timing is after the quick attack second most efficient volleyball attack, so it has to be also one of the main setting options for the setter, especially in perfect reception situations.
Characteristics
- Setting to all players and zones
- Playing either fast or high depending on the situation
- Making the opponent block hard time to predict where the set will go
- Sign communication with hitters
- Different serves variations
- Self-confidence to make tough decisions
- Good court vision
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