How To Set A Volleyball A Basic Setter Guide To Good Setting Technique

Players learn how to set a volleyball which begins with quick feet moving you to line your body under the ball and your ball shaped hands over your forehead.

Learn how to set a volleyball (photo of Aubree Smith)

Are you setting a volleyball correctly?

Since my goal for you is to become a better setter,  I write articles in a way that on your own, you'll be able to check yourself to see whether you are setting the ball using the right technique.

When learning how to set a volleyball correctly, you want to check to be sure that your body parts are in the right position to deliver a hittable ball. 

Ideally you want your whole body to be lined up underneath the ball every time, before you get ready to set it.

Learn how to set a volleyball: Watch Lexi Dannemiller Michigan setter set a volleyball

You want to run to position and place yourself underneath the ball, QUICKLY. 

Let me say it again...

..you should not be leaning to the ball but

• you should get to the ball quickly and 
• be in a slight loaded position, with 
• knees slightly bent in 
• a shallow squat underneath the ball. 

The slightly squatted position will give you a bit of added power from your legs to help you push the ball to your intended target once your fingers make overhead contact with the ball. 

Your body is erect and perpendicular while your legs are doing the work. To become a better setter, its best to use your forehead and your feet to guide you as you position your whole body underneath the ball.

Here's something you should remember...when the ball has reached its highest height, it can only come straight down.

With this in mind, once you determine...

• where the ball will come down and
• the speed of how fast the ball will come down- -then you know that's where you, your forehead and your quick moving feet need to be, directly underneath its path.

Learn How To Set A Volleyball Correctly #4 Square Your Body and Shoulders to Face Your Target (Matt Pendleton Photo of Florida Gator Volleyball Setter)

Then, it's a matter of moving your legs quickly enough to get your forehead, followed by your shoulders, chest, hips and the rest of your body underneath the ball in order to get in the correct slightly squatted ready position for setting it.

There's one more thing for players to remember before making contact with the ball.

Once you've determined where you need to be in order to set the volleyball - you need to square your shoulders to the left side hitter position, or face whoever you are setting to before you contact the ball.

Learn how to set a volleyball: UOP Volleyball Setter Photo by inkyhack

In the picture above, the setter is perpendicular to the net, which means she has positioned herself perfectly to be able to set to her middle hitter (#33), or her left front hitter because her shoulders and the rest of her entire body is facing in their direction.

If she wanted to back set, she is in great position as well because she isn't turning her shoulders or leaning to her right or her left.

If she chooses to, she will just set the ball within the plane of her body directly behind her to the right front hitter (#5).

CROSSNET Four Square Volleyball Net & Game Set - Volleyball Set for Backyards - Yard Games for Kids and Adults Game Four Square Volleyball - Includes Poles, Carrying Backpack

CROSSNET Four Square Volleyball Net & Game Set - Volleyball Set for Backyards - Yard Games for Kids and Adults Game Four Square Volleyball - Includes Poles, Carrying Backpack

Follow me on Instagram @coach_apchap to improve your game even faster!

I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 

Where do you need to go now? Here are three options: 

1. Learn more about Setting by checking out the links in the Related Links section below.  
2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page    Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
3. Or visit the pages in the How to Play Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page to get started. 
4. Before leaving this page Say "Hi" to Miss Ricci the Raccoon, wearing the #5 jersey below. She's the setter and team captain for the VolleyBragSwag All Beast team. 

Say "Hi" to Miss Ricci the Raccoon, wearing the #5 jersey below. She's the setter and team captain for the VolleyBragSwag All Beast team.

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