Unlock the Secrets of Setter Slang and Terminology for a Fast Offense

Unlock the secrets of setter slang and terminology to boost your volleyball offense. Learn about key second tempo sets and incorporate them into your strategy.

In this setter slang and terminology article you'll learn about key second tempo sets and how to incorporate them into your team's offensive strategy in order to beat the opposing block. (Dan Morgan photo)

Get ready because right now I dive into the world of setter slang terms, focusing on second tempo sets that can take your team's offense to the next level.

As a setter in volleyball, your role is crucial in orchestrating your team's offense.

To be effective, you need to understand and use various types of sets that can help your team run fast-paced and unpredictable offensive strategies.

By learning these terms and offensive techniques, you'll be able to communicate well with your teammates while keeping your opponents guessing about what offensive strategies you plan to use against them.

Before I dig into the specific types of second tempo sets, I want to define what a set is in volleyball.

A set is an overhand contact of the ball, usually the second contact in a rally, made after a pass in serve receive or after a dig in defense.

The setter's job is to redirect the ball to a hitter in the front row or back row, enabling them to attack and score points.

A set is an overhand contact of the ball, usually the second contact in a rally, made after a pass in serve receive or after a dig in defense. (photo by Dan Morgan)

The following setter slang terms describe different types of second tempo sets that junior varsity and varsity players usually learn how to set (and hit) so their team can run a faster offense.

These sets are lower to the net, making them faster paced than the usual high ball sets.

This means that the spiker has a little less time to take a full three-step or four-step spike approach.

With the lower faster set, the timing of the spike approach that gets them to the ball, in the air and above the net is faster than they would do for a high ball. 

The change of speed is done on purpose so they can spike the ball, ideally, before the opposing team's block can get in place to try and stop the attack. 

Let me repeat, the offensive strategy behind setting second tempo sets is that ...the lower the set ...the less time the opposing team's blockers have to place themselves in front of you so they can block your attack hit. 

Because of the lower set It becomes important for the spiker to work on a faster arm swing. 

The "hut" is a second tempo set

• shaped like an umbrella
• reaches a height of 5 to 7 feet above the top of the net
• is delivered to fall within the three feet by three feet area in front of the antenna in Zone 4 by the setter
• the left side outside hitter usually hits the hut

The "hut" is a second tempo set that is shaped like an umbrella and reaches a height of 5 to 7 feet above the top of the net.

The setter aims to deliver the ball within the three feet by three feet area in front of the antenna in Zone 4.

This set is usually hit by the left side outside hitter and is designed to be a faster-paced ball compared to the high ball making it more challenging for the opposing team's blockers to get set up and defend.

Another important setter slang word that should be in the setter's tool box is the "32." The "32" is delivered as part of a combination play with the "31" set and is designed to fall two to three feet off the net, landing between Zone 4 and Zone 3. (Dan Morgan photo)

The "32" is a second tempo set

• shaped like an umbrella
• reaches a height of 3 or 5 feet above the top of the net
• is delivered as a part of a combination play with the 31
• is designed to fall two to three feet off the net so the ball lands between Zone 4 and Zone 3
• is behind the hitter who is hitting the faster paced 31 set 
• usually hit by the left outside hitter

Another important setter slang word that should be in the setter's tool box is the "32."

The "red" is a second tempo back set

• shaped like an umbrella 
• reaches a height of 3 or 5 feet above the top of the net 
• is a backset set backwards over the setter's head 
• is delivered to fall within the three feet by three feet area in front of the antenna in Zone 2 by the setter
• the right side positions and opposites usually hit the red

The "red" set is a second tempo set that is delivered backwards over the setter's head, making it another important set that setter's have in their collection of sets to learn to run as offensive play combinations.

This set is shaped like an umbrella, reaches a height of 3 to 5 feet above the net and is aimed to fall within the three feet by three feet area in front of the antenna in Zone 2.

The "red" set is usually hit by players in the right side hitter positions and opposites, providing a fast-paced attacking option on the right side of the court.

A two set in volleyball is

• a second tempo set delivered in Zone 3
• usually set to the middle hitter
• is about 2 to 3 feet in the air right in front of the setter 
• sometimes to one of the outside hitters who use their spike approach to come to the middle of the net to attack a two-ball

The "two" set, also known as a "two ball," is a second tempo set in setter slang and terminology and is about 2 to 3 feet in the air delivered in Zone 3, usually to the middle hitter.

Depending on the type of offensive combo play a setter calls, sometimes outside hitters will also use their spike approach to come to the middle of the net and attack a "two" set.

This medium paced two set to the middle of the court can be highly effective in catching the opposing team's blockers off guard.

A two set in volleyball is a second tempo set delivered in Zone 3 usually set to the middle hitter (Al Case)

The main objective behind using second tempo sets is to run a faster offense that puts pressure on the opposing team's blocker and the players in defense behind the block to track which hitter options are actually going to be set and will hit the ball.

By setting the ball lower and faster, you give your hitters more time to execute their attacks before the blockers can set up their defense.

This strategic advantage is designed to lead to more scoring opportunities by creating one-on-one blocker-hitter match ups (or even no block opportunities for hitters) while keeping your opponents constantly adapting to the offensive plays.

Learning the setter slang and terminology like the "hut," "32," "red," and the "two," is essential for any setter looking to run a faster and effective offense that scores points for your team. (Dan Morgan photo)

In conclusion, learning the setter slang and terminology, in this case, second tempo sets like the "hut," "32," "red," and the "two," is essential for any setter looking to run a faster and effective offense that scores points for your team.

By understanding how to run these sets, you'll be able to

• communicate on the court with your teammates, 
• keep your opponents guessing and 
• put more points on the board.

As you continue to develop your skills as a setter, keep practicing these second tempo sets with setting drills and incorporate them into your offensive strategy.

With dedication and repetition, you'll soon be running a lightning-fast offense that will be the envy of your competitors.

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