Volleyball Hand Signal: Fast Plays Setters Run To Zone 4, Z3, and Z2 

Learn the volleyball hand signal used by setters to call fast offensive sets to run plays to their left, middle and right front hitters in zone 4, z3, and z2. 

The Volleyball hand signal is used by the setter who is responsible for running her team's offense to communicate the type of sets they will have to hit. (Ralph Aversen)The Volleyball hand signal is used by the setter who is responsible for running her team's offense to communicate the type of sets they will have to hit. (Ralph Aversen)


Volleyball setter hand signals are used by the setter to "run a play" with a series of slow or fast sets. 

While fast sets are lower to the net, slow sets are higher sets pushed 8 - 10 feet well above the top of the net.

Each player on offense will get a hand signal as to the type of set they will get.

When all the hitters are each given a different set to run at various locations along the net and they run the play together that's called a "combination play." 



Volleyball Setter Hand Signals For Plays To Zone 4:

Fast Sets To The Outside Hitter


The most common volleyball offensive plays set to the left side:

  • The volleyball hand signal for the "Hut" varies with each team but for the most part the setter will wave their right hand across their chest for the left side outside hitter to see the call
  • The "Hut" is a medium high/medium speed rainbow shaped set that falls just inside the left antenna after peaking 5-6 feet above the net

The hand signal for the "Go" - is forefinger and middle finger held together like a gun with the setter wiggles the thumb like a trigger to show that this is a super fast speed set to the outside.The volleyball hand signal for the "Go" - is forefinger and middle finger held together like a gun with the setter wiggles the thumb like a trigger to show that this is a super fast speed set to the outside.


  • The volleyball hand signal for the "Go" - a fast speed/low set with little-to-no-arc that falls inside the left antenna after peaking 3-5 feet above the net - is usually the forefinger and the thumb which the setter wiggles like a gun to show that this is a super fast speed set to the outside. 


  • The volleyball hand signal for the "32" set has all five fingers together curved like an umbrella or like a rainbow.  
  • The "32" is a medium speed, medium height umbrella shaped rainbow set that's run as a combination play with the "31"  
  • The setter will signal the middle blocker to run a "31" and will give the hand signal to the outside hitter to run the "32" at the same time. This play is designed for one player to be coming down from their spike approach (the mdidle blocker) as the outside hitter is going up for there's. 
  • The location of this combination play is always between Zone 3 and Zone 4 about 4-5 feet in front of the setter. 

The Volleyball Hand Signal For Plays To Zone 3:

Quick Sets To The Middle Blocker


  • The volleyball hand signal for the "A" set which is also called a "Back one" is the pinkie finger standing up with all the other fingers down and shown to the middle blocker and/or opposite hitter who runs the offensive play with the high speed set 1-2 feet high that falls just behind the setter's back

The volleyball hand signal for the "A" set which is also called a "Back one" is the pinkie finger standing up with all the other fingers down and shown to the middle blockerThe volleyball hand signal for the "A" set which is also called a "Back one" is the pinkie finger standing up with all the other fingers down and shown to the middle blocker
The hand signal for the "31" set is usually 3 fingers held up for the 3 set also known as the 31 setThe volleyball hand signal for the "31" set is usually 3 fingers held up for the 3 set also known as the 31 set

  • The volleyball hand signal for the "31" set is usually 3 fingers held up for the 3 set also known as the 31 set - a high speed set that falls just 4-5 feet away from the setter between Zone 3 and Zone 4 after peaking one foot above the top of the net
  • Some setters call the 3 by pumping the thumb like a trigger finger while keeping the forefinger and middle finger together pointed like a gun


Some setters call the 3 by pumping the thumb like a trigger finger while keeping the forefinger and middle finger together pointed like a gunSome setters call the 3 by pumping the thumb like a trigger finger while keeping the forefinger and middle finger together pointed like a gun

  • The hand signal for the "2" set is usually 2 fingers held up for this medium tempo ball - that falls just in front of the setter usually in Zone 3 after peaking 2-3 feet above the top of the net
  • Some teams differentiate between keeping these two fingers together or breaking them apart 


The "Back Two" is a two set located two feet right behind the setter and is often run to Zone 3 or Zone 2 and given to the middle or the opposite hitter. 

Similar to the hand signal for the Back One the Back Two is called with the pinkie and the Ring finger raised while the thumb holds down the other two fingers. 


The Volleyball Hand Signal For Plays To Zone 2:

Fast Sets To The Opposite/Right Side Hitter

The "slide" is called with the "Hang Loose" sign with fingers shaped like a "Y" shown to the middle blocker and/or opposite hitter who runs the offensive play.The "slide" is called with the "Hang Loose" sign with fingers shaped like a "Y" shown to the middle blocker and/or opposite hitter who runs the offensive play.


  • The "slide" is called with the "Hang Loose" sign with fingers shaped like a "Y" shown to the middle blocker and/or opposite hitter who runs the offensive play with the high speed set 1-2 feet high that falls just behind the setter's back
  • This is a flat high speed back set that falls just 4 - 5 feet away from the setter between Zone 3 and Zone 2 after peaking 1-3 feet above the top of the net. 


The setter calls the "Red" set with a closed fist that taps the front of their chest.

The "Red" is a medium speed umbrella shaped back set that falls just 3-4 feet away from the setter towards Zone 2 after peaking 1-3 feet above the top of the net and falling just inside the antenna closest to the second referee.  

The Red set is also known as a back shoot set. 

The "Red" set is a medium high speed umbrella shaped back set that falls just 3-4 feet away from the setter to Zone 2 after peaking 1-3 feet above the top of the netThe "Red" set is a medium high speed umbrella shaped back set that falls just 3-4 feet away from the setter to Zone 2 after peaking 1-3 feet above the top of the net

Read more about volleyball plays on these pages.



  • Improve Your Volleyball Performance with Vegas VB Coach April Chapple
  •  ›
  • Volleyball Plays Why A Setters Sets Vary In Speed, Height And Location
  •  ›
  • Volleyball Hand Signal: Fast Plays Setters Run To Zone 4, Z3, and Z2
  •  ›

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