SETTING STRATEGY

by Wally Goodrick

The setter is often compared to the quarterback in football. Both run the offense and provide important leadership, especially during critical situations. In the offensive system, the setter has an additional responsibility, calling the plays. There isn't an offensive coordinator or substitute player running in to call the next play from the sidelines. Play calling is the setter's job, and the ability to choose the right play at the right time is quite often the difference between winning and losing. Because of this, more than any player at any other position, the setter must understand volleyball strategy.

Formulating strategy begins way before the first serve. Pregame preparation is the key to any setter's success. First, the setter must analyze her own hitters. Who looks good in warm-ups? Who is "fired up?" Who played well in the last match? What hitters need to get more involved in the game? The answers to these questions will help give your team the best chance of getting a fast start. Why wait till your team is down 5-0 to decide who to set. Next know your opponent. Who is their best blocker? Also, if you have played a team before, think back to the match-ups that took place during the previous meetings. Was your right-side hitter blocked consistently? Did the quick middle attack work? How effective was your left outside hitter against their weakside blocker? Use what works until the opponent shuts it down.

During the match, you should have one fundamental goal: keep the defense guessing while making the best use of your most effective hitters. You can best accomplish this by remembering two important keys:

  1. Put your body in a position where, at ball release, you can still set any of your three hitters. Don't let your body mechanics give away your intentions. Keep your opponents guessing all the way until the ball leaves your hands.
  2. Get all of your hitters involved in the offense, even if it's a limited role. Besides keeping your opponents honest, there is an important side benefit. You never know when you will need someone to come through in a match. Injuries, broken plays, a change in the opponent's strategy-all can force a player into the spotlight in a clutch situation. By getting everyone involved in the offense, you keep all your hitters mentally in the game.
Another important strategy is to focus on establishing the middle attack. The middle attack is the key to any successful offense. Without a middle attack, your outside hitters will face two blockers. The most essential component to a middle attack is good passing; everything starts with the pass. A middle hitter with flexibility is also a mandatory requirement for a successful middle attack. A good middle hitter is capable of hitting regulars, quick back and front sets, shoot sets and slides. This variety will keep the opponent's middle blocker guessing and keep them from keying on a particular set. A potent middle attack will earn the respect from the opposing middle blocker and will isolate your outside hitter more often.

Finally, an important part of maintaining the proper strategy is communication. Talk to your hitters. Is the set too low or too high? Too close or far off the net? Have the hitters seen any defensive weaknesses on the part of the opponent that you can exploit? What are the hitter to blocker match-ups? Good communications creates teamwork and that leads to success.

Remember, the setter is the team's emotional leader, the hitters will look to you for leadership. Develop a solid strategy for the match. Involve all the hitters in the offense. Listen to what the hitters have to say and then set the team to victory.