6-2 or 5-1?

Question

Last year, I played up for the 14s team, and we used a 5-1. This year, I'm on a 14 team for a different club, and we're using a 6-2. Just wondering about the pros and cons for each-especially in this age group. Thanks!

Answer 1

6-2 is the best. It is really easy when you get into it. Most teams I know of use a 6-2. It really helps because of the 6 hitters, 2 setters. I have been doing a 6-2 for a while and it's really nice because there is way more court coverage!! Last year my team tried a 5-1 for one tournament and nobody liked it as much because we all had a harder time with it and there was a lot less we could work with.

Answer 2

Each has pros and cons and as a coach I like my setters to be able to do both.

I'm assuming you know the differences since you are running a 6-2 and ran a 5-1 before.

The pros to a 5-1 is that you get the same sets for every hitter, consistent sets make hitting easier. You also never have a doubt of who is setting, never confused about front and back row. It allows the middle to run slides or C's which is a one footed hit where the 5 would have been in a 6-2. The setter can tip front row as well as block front row.

con's to a 5-1: you lose a hitter, you now make the blockers job easier because they have less to worry about, you've brought in the ball and forced it. Without a solid "D" or back row right side hit you have more limited offensive option.

Pros to a 6-2. You should always have 3 hitters. Your setters share the responsibility and aren't as tired in later games. Some hitters prefer different setters and this allows for different hitters to get different setters. You can avoid having setters who are weak front row players from playing front row.

Cons: setter always runs out of the back row means passing has to be stronger. You lose the ability to have the setter tip. The passing is now the responsibility of 2 players always instead of 2-3 players. Hitters must get used to 2 different sets.

Answer 3

well im on a sixteens team and we use a 5-1 but a couple years ago i used a 4-2 w/ my old team. the pros of a 4-2 is that you have a setter back row and front row (just in case), BUT the bad thing is that you can cause some confusion with the two setters and the other setter may not be a good hitter (so you sacrafice b/c you could have a better hitter in that position instead) the benefits of the 5-1 is that there is no confusion of who the setter is and you have more hitters, the cons are that the setter gets tired faster and you may have to rotate another setter in from time to time. i myself, prefer the 5-1.

Answer 4

Running a 6-2 is a great idea if you have a tight team, and you practice your rotation a lot. If you guys dont know your rotation expect collisions, and having a perfectly passed ball drop where a setter should be.

Answer 5

i think a 6-2 is better because you have two setters and they don't get as tired as they would in a 5-1. Because in a 5-1 there is one setter and the setter is running all over the court.

Answer 6

6-2 is great if you have two setters who are at about the same ability level.  It is also good if one or both of your setters are also good hitters, because they get to hit in the front row.  It is fun having all your options available with 3 hitters in every rotation.

The 5-1 is better if you have one dominant setter.  As others have said, it is great for consistency of the sets because all the hitters have a good idea of what kind of set is coming at all times.

I am coaching a 15 and under team this season and we are running a 6-2.  I have two setters that are both pretty good and I have complete confidence in them as hitters as well.  On my high school team, I would prefer to run a 5-1 though.  Almost always you can find one setter that steps up when you are practicing 6 days a week.  It is much harder only a day or two a week.  

Hope this helps!!!