GATOR VOLLEYBALL SETTERS GUIDE

August 2007
by Coach Julia Ges-Toy

Updated 2011
by Coach Hill
ROLE OF THE SETTER
The player most responsible for the teams hitting efficiency and kill percentage is the SETTER. The role
of the setter is critical not only because she touches 90 % of the balls, but also because the quality of her
setting directly affects the quality and efficiency of her teams attack. 1It is very important that the
SETTER realizes and accepts these responsibilities.
In order to maximize a teams hitting, a SETTER must do the following:
1. Set each ball accurately and consistently. This allows hitters to get into a good hitting rhythm.
2. Know your hitters:
a. What motivates each hitter and what does not.
b. How to keep each hitter in the match and how to bring them back if they are not attacking well.
c. When to go to the hitter and when not to: SET MONEY!
i.
It is critical to the functioning of the team for the setter to discuss the strengths and
weaknesses of each hitter with the coach. Then the role of the hitter is determined
within the framework of the system. This role may change according to the match
situation, the opponent, or the confidentiality between the setter and coach.
3. Understand the offensive system and be able to follow a game plan (see Setting Tree on pages 5
and 6.)
4. Know the opponent. Know where the good blockers are in each rotation and the best way to attack.
5. Develop a court demeanor that shows confidence a winning attitude and an acceptance of the
responsibility for the teams offensive success and failure.

SETTERS make hitters hitters dont make SETTERS

This is not meant to enlarge your ego. It is a statement of fact and responsibility. A team with a great
SETTER and average hitters can become an excellent team because of leadership. A team with
mediocre SETTER and great hitters will average at best. Make the choice to be the best that you can be.
Develop your skills through diligence and hard work. Be a leader and a role model in order to help your
team reach its true potential. Accept challenge of excellence.

Setting for the setter by Arie Selinger, Head Coach, 1984 Womens Olympic Team
2

SETTERS RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

1. Who to set in various situations. This is the result of conferences with coach and your experience.
2. What will be the most efficient set, play set, or combination of offensive strategy in various
rotations and situations.
3. Be a good psychologist by knowing:
a. the most effective way to motivate your teammates
b. how to show confidence in players and make them feel good
c. how to radiate confidence
d. how to handle hitters (when to baby them, ignore them, and make demands of them).
e. How to keep all players involved in the game
f. How to keep all players involved in the offense
4. Any confusion in the offense or the patterns is the setters fault. You must clearly communicate
with the players on serve receive and free balls. *This especially applies to substitutions entering a
game or drill situation and to hitters who need things communicated stronger or more clearly than
others.
5. To know all overlaps, to know where you are supposed to be, and where your hitters are supposed
to be.
6. To be able to visually or verbally communicate with your coach during a match (opponent
weaknesses, where to tip, hitter to set, etc.)
7. The setters attitude should be an extension of the coaches.
8. The setter needs to be in control of her emotions at all times.
9. Sponge characteristics accepts responsibility for all hitting mistakes, seek feedback from hitters
trying giving them what they want, take the pressure off of the hitter.
10. Attitude: I can take ANY five hitters and find a way to win.
11. Be prepared to set every second ball. If hitter sets ball or gets in your way, then it is your
responsibility to make it clear that you will set unless you call for help.
i. It is critical to smooth functioning of the team for the setter to be vocal on the court. Let
your teammates know where you are and what your intentions are verbally. The setter
should always be communicating with her teammates.
12. To yell another players name and help on any ball that you cannot get to or you have been

involved in the primary defensive play.

13. There is no such thing as a bad pass. If a pass is not perfect it is my responsibility to improve my
teams chances of scoring by making the best possible set: BETTER THE BALL!
14. All sets that the hitter successfully kills are great hits and all hitting errors are the result of poor sets.
15. It is my responsibility to give each hitter a set which gives them the best opportunity for a kill.
16. One hitter can never lose a match, one SETTER can.
WORK ETHIC AND SET PRINCIPLES
based on the ideas of Coach Doug Beal, Head Coach of 1984 US Olympic Mens Team
Since you control more of the game than anyone else, you will be getting more attention from the coach
and you must work harder than anybody on the court. There is no key to success like repetition. You must
touch many balls in an out of practice. Never catch a ball in practice when setting, always try to set it.
Your primary role is always TO DELIVER A GOOD SET. The good set will give each attacker to
optimum possibilities to succeed within their own skill range.
If you can always deliver a good set, then your role expands to next to be a SMART SETTER. The smart
setter will match your teammates strengths to the opponents weaknesses, will feed the hot attacker, will
take advantage of what your offense does best, and will effectively carry out the thoughts and plans of the
coach.
The final stage of development as a setter is for you to assume the burden of defeating the block. This is
done by DECEPTIVE setting. Here your objectives will now include an effort to allow your hitters to hit
against less than a well-formed two-player block. Make no mistake: a set that fools the block but is not
hittable is worthless, so being deceptive is your LAST priority when setting.
REMEMBER: Be technically perfect first, smart second and then maybe occasionally, deceptive. Go for
every ball you can, learn to extend your limits, and put up a ball that your hitters can hit EVERY TIME!
KEY WORDS AND PHRASES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
6.
7.

Better the ball

Hands high
Feet to the ball footwork!
Square up to target
Follow through, extend elbows
Thumbs up, thumbs down
Release
Jump set. WHY? To fake the opposing blocker, speed up the attack, easier to set
quicks, ability to save passes that are over the net, dump.

8. Work FOR your hitters, not AGAINST them.

9. COMMUNICATE
10. COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE
SETTING TREE

setter
GREEN

PIPE

In front of setter:
1st Tempo (Quick):
One: Front Quick set in relationship to the setter
Three: 8-10 from the setter set to the spot
2nd Tempo (Height of the antenna):
Thirty-Two: Outside hitter comes in 4-5 inside set to the spot
Hut: Quick outside set set to the spot
Two: Middle set with apex at the top of antenna set to the spot
3rd Tempo (Higher safety):
Four: High outside set set to the spot

BLUE

Behind setter:
1st Tempo (Quick):
A: Back One set in relationship to the setter
Spock: 3-4 behind the setter set to the spot
Slide: quick all the way to the antenna set to the spot
2nd Tempo (Height of antenna):
B: Right side hits back set to the antenna, apex is never higher than top of the antenna set to the
spot
3rd Tempo (Higher-safety):
C: Back set to the antenna, apex higher than antenna set to the spot
Back-row attack (Green, Pipe and Blue):
Set always to the spot, 2-3 closer to the net in relationship with the 3-meter line.