Introduction: How to Set -- Volleyball101

All you need is a volleyball!

The game of volleyball wouldn't be near as brilliant without the art that is setting

Step 1: The Unsung Hero

Setting is the most underappreciated and undermined skill in the sport of volleyball. A setter's main job is to put up a ball for the hitter to kill for your team. Yes, this incredible hit over the net may have pelted an opposing player right between the eyes or even put a dent in the floor; however, this play could not have been possible without the glorious ball administered to her by every other position's unsung hero, the setter.

Step 2: How to Master the Art

Setting is an art. It is the masterpiece that makes the game of volleyball beautiful. I'd like to teach you how it's done.

To begin, as a setter, you must be fast.You will be forced to run all around the entire nine hundred square feet of court in the matter of 25 points. Though this may be true, regardless of where you have to run, before you are able to set, you must completely stop, turn your whole body to face left-front, and place your right foot slightly in front of your left.

Step 3: The Water Bucket

After your feet are stopped and correctly oriented, and after you are completely underneath the ball, you must now get ready to set the ball to a hitter.

Hand position is key. Imagine you are holding a large bucket of water out in front of you on a table. (Go on, do it with me) Now imagine pouring it on your head. Now freeze. That is how your hands must be when you recieve a ball to set.

Your hands should be right above your forehead, your fingers should be spread, and your wrists should be slightly bent back.

Step 4: Quiet Hands

Now that you are facing left-front, your right foot is in front of your left, and your hands are above your forehead,you are now ready to properly set. Once the ball reaches your hands, it should only make contact with the pads of your fingers. The palms of your hands should never touch the ball. A proper set should make little sound when the hands make contact with the ball.

Step 5: Get the Ball Out of Your Hands

When the ball first makes contact with your setting hands, both your elbows and your knees should be bent.

Now that the ball is in your hands, you must get it out quickly. Holding onto the ball for too long, or catching it and throwing it, is illegal in the game of volleyball. You must use swift wrist movement to release the ball from your hands as quickly as possible-- only a slight cushion of the ball with your wrists is necessary.

Step 6: Hold the Finish

Now the balll must leave your hands and be sent to your desired hitter.

In order to put enough height and distance on the ball, a consistent finish must be exhibited. After the ball is released, you must straighten both your elbows and your knees, pushing through the ball with all of your limbs. Your hands should finish with all of your fingers pointing at the ball you just set.

Step 7: Fully Bent to Fuly Extended

When recieving the ball to set, all limbs are bent. Then, from recieving the ball to releasing the ball, all of the limbs become fully extended towards the ball. Always make sure to hold your finish so that the ball has little to no spin when it comes out of your hands.

Something to remember: When setting, the ball must ALWAYS be recieved and released from right on top of your forehead. If not, then the ball you set will most likely be pushed more with one hand than the other, resulting in a double contact, which is illegal.

Step 8: Master the Sequence

This general setting sequence holds true for any position you waould like to set to.

Even if you want to set a ball for a hitter that is behind you, you must still face left-front, have your right foot in front, and finish with your fingers pointing at the ball.

Step 9: No Spin= Good Feet and Good Hands

Once the ball leaves your hands, it should (ideally) have no spin on it. If this is true, then you were probably exhibiting everything you have been taught today.

Setting is just as much about your feet as it is about your hands. If your feet are underneath the ball and facng left-front, then the ball you set will more than likely be a decent ball.

Step 10: Now Set Your Team Up for Success!

Even though setting is the most unappreciated skill in volleyball, it is also the most rewarding. As a setter, you get to decide who gets to hit the ball and score points for your team. They are like the quarterback of a football team. Setters call the shots and make decisions for your team to be succesful. Though they may not get any credit, setters determine the success of a team.