SETTER FOOD FOR THOUGHT ( Perhaps some tips)

Setters food for thought because of the nature of the game, and the number of contacts afforded the setter, they carry a dramatically over weighted value few teams can perform to their abilities w/o a great setter. Setters come close to making 1/3 of all ball contacts

*makes or breaks the hitters

*build/destroys confidence in passers

*establishes the tempo for the team’s play

*develops the rhythm for the offense

*generally runs the show

The offense must always live within the skills and abilities of its players (especially the setter) 

*The setter must discipline themselves to never perform skills/tactics beyond their abilities in the match 

Remember, setters must be:

1st-good (technically perfect)

2nd – smart (perceptive)

3rd -then maybe.. Tricky 

Setters must go for every ball, learn to extend their limits and put up a hittable ball… every time

Characteristics of a setter:

Intelligence

Interpret the coach’s wishes on the floor

Ability to make quick decisions

Ability to assimilate information from the sidelines and translate it into action

Ability to perceive the game in total

Self confidence

“I am the Best”

Can lead the team to victory

Sponge characteristic

accept responsibility for almost all hitting errors

Seek feedback from hitters

Emotional stability

Consistent personality

Positive attitude

Goals for Setters

Tactical

*Set a hittable ball

*Match up hitters vs. blockers

*Get a kill!  Accuracy first, deception 2nd

Technical

Good errors vs. bad errors (good error in example, a ball set too far off the net is better than an overset)

Stop prior to contact

The more difficult the pass, the simpler the set

Physical Characteristics of a Setter

Good athlete

Quick feet (cat-like)

Fluid movements / agile

Good jumper

Setter options

When to use the setter tip (when the opponent least expects it) 

When to go quick 

When to spread out the offense from an x series or vice versa (spread out against big blockers) 

When to be bold or when to be conservative (what are the consequences of being bold?) 

Distinguish between side out options and point making plays (in high school) 

When to use certain players at certain times in the match (who’s the hot hitter?)

Involve as many as possible in the offense early. 

When to go back row 

When to use a special wrinkle in a play

Tactical principles

The hitter must be able to get a good swing

The best hitter should receive the highest percentage of sets

Find the Hot hitters in Clutch situations

Attack the weakest blocker

The worse the pass, the higher the set (Attackers must be aware of this also)

Must be unpredictable in set selection

Go back to the same hitter after a mistake 

Call a special play, but set the different options 

Set outside sometimes even on good passes 

Set different players in different rotations, but don’t get into the Mary, Sally, Katie, Mary, Sally, Katie game.

When in Doubt… Don’t!!

Team attack patterns are limited by:

The physical abilities of the hitters, 

The serve-receive accuracy and consistency, 

The setter’s ability to deliver the ball accordingly and consistently