5 Volleyball Setting Drills

Improve your team's setting technique with these five great volleyball drills from the eteamz volleyball community.

Use Your (Fore)head

DRILL DESCRIPTION: Two players face each other and set balls back and forth. The correct body position is with the ball, forehead and hips in a vertical line. After person sets ball, move forward three steps. Stay there until after partner passes ball, move to ball and set again. Drill #2 Take three steps backward after you set ball, and move your feet to get under the ball.

Long Distance Sets

DRILL DESCRIPTION: Two partners face each other from a distance of 20 feet and set the ball back and forth. This exaggerated distance helps develop hand and wrist strength and makes a setter better at smaller distances. This replicates setting the ball crosscourt during a match accuracy is just as important as setting to a nearby hitter.

One and Freeze

DRILL DESCRIPTION: One player stands on opposite side of net and serves to another. A third player stands in the receiver's side setting position. Receiving player must set serve. The correct contact point is just above the forehead (hairline). When contacting the ball, the hands move in one direction only. Freeze with arms fully extended in the direction you want the ball to go. (Hands are same distance apart upon completion as they were during contact.) Hands follow the ball. Receiving player must set the ball to a third player standing in the setter position. After three successful passes, the threesome rotates and setter goes to serve etc.

Side to Side

DRILL DESCRIPTION: partners face each other and stand about 10 feet apart. Set balls back and forth and focus on using proper technique. One partner stands still while setting and sets balls to the right and left of the other player forcing him to move laterally to get to the ball. This player then sets the ball directly and accurately. Switch after 2-3 minutes. Checkpoint: feet and shoulders are square to target.

Have a Seat

DRILL DESCRIPTION: 2 partners sit cross legged about 8-10 feet apart from each other. They set the ball back and forth. This develops arm and wrist strength because the legs are taken out of the set. Great drill for young players because it helps develop their strength and coordination. Again, the idea is to get a high arcing lob on the ball and to get it to the target. This drill can be difficult because the players are sitting down. However, it is an excellent way to develop a young setter.