by Steve Hansell

Created on: September 20, 2010   Last Updated: November 11, 2010

In volleyball, the setter makes the plays happen. To get that done, there needs to be precise and accurate passing to the setter so they are in the target area when the set begins. From there, it's easier to work on advanced volleyball plays that can make a team more competitive.

The "Quick Set" is usually the first advanced play a setter will have to learn. The middle hitter advances as the pass comes toward the setter. When the ball is in the setters hands, the hitter is making his/her jump at the net and the setter sets it to the hitters hands for a quick strike. Height is important on this set; too high and speed of the playis lost, too low and it probably doesn't get over the net. It takes less leg to make this kind of set, so the setter has to be careful not to telegraph the play and has to sell the blockers that this is a standard set.

The Slide set is also a quick hit play. A slide set is set to the middle hitter, but behind the setter. The hitter slides behind the setter to attack the ball. A short slide is just behind the setter, a middle slide doesn't go as far as the antennae, and a long slide is like a back set. The hitter slides behind the setter and can leap with one foot, turning the shoulders back to the court to keep the hit inbound and the sliding movement can create holes in the block.

Shoot sets are the hardest from a setters perspective; you can't recover from a mistake. The setter has to push the ball most of the way across the court on a line to the hitter. The setter has to see the hitter moving into position and the ball has to reach the hitter in the middle of the attack at the net. Another quick strike.

When learning advanced plays communication is the most important thing. From a setter perspective, it takes the game to a whole new level.

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