How can I set a volleyball better?

Question

I'm an outside hitter on my club team, but I'm super duper terrible at setting the ball. I know sometime I'm going to have to learn the correct way to set the ball, but I can't do it right. Are there any tips you could give me to help me with setting better?

Answer 1

I played volleyball for a good 5 years. I learned that some people are just good at setting and some people arent. I was one who wasnt the best at it. I can give you some advice, make sure you get as directly under the ball as you can, it helps if you slightly bend your knees. Its kinda hard to explain here. What I did was watch volleyball clips on TV or online, that really helped me to see how other people worked. Hope I helped a little.

Answer 2

this totally helped me out...i dont know if you already know this but bend your knees slightly. get under the ball as fast as you can. get your hands ready. and make sure they're perfectly apart from each other. you can tell because they have those big stripes on the ball that goes in threes. those three stripes should be the outline on how far apart your hands should be away from the ball. then all you gotta do is pop it up for an excellent spike.

Answer 3

I know a lot of outside hitter who can't set at all. but if you really want to learn and practice strengthen up your fingers and practice a lot...the more you set the more comfortable it will become. Take a volleyball and set it against the wall. stand so when you hold the ball to the wall it touches the wall.(hold hand if you were to set the ball) and only use your fingertips to push the ball back to the wall, this builds muscle memory and the faster you do this the better your hand positioning will be.

Answer 4

work out and do push-ups on your finger-tips, that way you can pop the ball better, the aim will come after that...

Answer 5

1. Always have your right leg in front.

2. Positions your hands one feet in front of your forehead.

3. Your shoulders should always be squared to where you want to place the ball.

4. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that you get to where the ball is going to be before it gets there.  You do this by keeping your feet light and move quickly.  The reason why great setters makes setting look easy is because they get in position.

5. Once in position, instead of letting the ball drop into your hands(being passive), you want to make the first move to the ball with your hands by beginning your setting motion.  In other words, right before the ball gets to your hands, start the setting motion and set through the ball.  

6.  When setting the ball, it is just as IMPORTANT to use your legs as well as your hands and I am not talking about jump setting.  This allows you to gain better control of where the ball goes, how far it travels, and saves your arms strength.  If you have ever played basketball, it is the same thing in using your legs to shoot.

7.  Perhaps the most important aspect while you continue your jouney in mastering setting, is to RELAX.  Bust your a$$ to get in position.  But once you get there, RELAX, and set the ball with proper technique.  

It is also important to constantly get feed back from hitters you are not familiar with, because different hitters have different preferences.

Answer 6

this may not be a direct answer to the question, however:

if you are a good outside player, you should not worry about setting the ball. Just practise spiking and blocking and make that your job. In volleyball, not necessarily all have to set, rather the opposite, as a team has normally just 2, or even 1 setter If you feel you are not great at setting, just dont do  it, and improve the skills which you are good at instead. Your team will value you much more for good blocking and spiking.

if you are, hoevvever, keen on becoming a good setter, there is only 3 things to do: practise,practise, practise.

Good luck

Answer 7

Start slow.  Be patient.  You will not become a good setter overnight.

Get your hands ready over your forehead.  Your ready position for your hands should be shaped like a volleyball.  Many setters that have their hands shaped like a salami and move them into ready position just before the ball gets there.  Why??  Shape them like a volleyball.  Have someone toss the ball.  Catch it over your forehead.  (If you move your hands out of the way, the ball should hit your forehead.)  Use the triangle made by your first fingers and thumbs to sight the ball.  (Some call it a diamond to sight with.)  As I said, catch the ball.  Look at your hands, your arms, and your bent knees.  Throw the ball back to the tosser, making sure that you follow through.  Your arms should look like Superman when flying.  Out straight and high.  Your throw should be as high as you can make it while getting the ball back to your tosser.  You should have the ball in your hands at least 3 seconds.  Repeat all of these steps at least 10 times.  Do not be in a hurry.  Decrease the amount of time the ball is in your hands.  Slightly.  2 seconds.  Do about 10 times.  Then try 1 second for about 10 tries.  Then, try setting the ball.  If it is still ugly, go back to the 3 seconds and try about 20 tries.  And repeat.  

Keep doing this drill as a warm up until you are comfortable setting the ball.  

I hope this helps.

Answer 8

When ur setting make sure ur hands and fingers are relaxed. dont be too tense, and dont push ur thumbs out once u've released. hope u can get better! :-)

Answer 9

I have been a setter for about 4 years now. The first and most important thing is footwork.  Make sure you're feet line up parallel to the net, make sure your off about 30 cm off the net.

When the ball is coming to you, use your legs to bend down a bit.

Then push the ball to your target just as in a normal volley. (That applies to middle and power.) When you are setting to right offside, make sure to arch your back with the ball or you will be called on a lift or double touch.

Also, I don't recommend push ups on your fingertips. Go against a wall and push against that then the floor.

Answer 10

I play high school volleyball and I am a setter as a matter of fact. First off you want to get to the spot of the ball as fast as you can. This way you can be stable and have a better position to set. Once you're there, you want to turn your hip and point your body towards the hitter you are setting it to. One thing to keep in mind is you want your opposite foot to be in front when you are setting. (Right foot is you are lefty and vice versa) Once you have your position set, its time to bring up your hands. You want your hands to make a mini triangle so that the ball places right into that triangle. But don't put your hands together, keep them a little bit apart and make sure you have strong hands and fingers when setting. (weak hands will make a weak set) After that its finally time to set the ball. Make contact and push the ball to your target, making sure you follow through with your set and bringing your arms to full extension. That's the basics of it. Once mastering this you can learn back sets, jump sets, 1 ball sets and many others. Just practice a lot and you'll eventually get the hang of it. hope this helps. good luck!