Ideas for offensive plays for a mens team?

Question
Hi,
Im going to be playing a tournament really soon and I need some more
advanced plays. We have a few tandems; x, the 2 ball after faking the one,
outside hitting one ball after faking 2-1. But what are some more tandems?
Can you also tell me plays that arent tandems and explain how to run them.
Thanks a lot.

Answer
Good morning, and welcome to www.allexperts.com.

First:  There are plays.  They include tandems, x's, etc.  Your terminology is kinda confusing.  A tandem is a type of play, where two people come into the same zone, one right after the other, for different tempo sets.  

Second:  After x's and tandems, there are very few words that describe plays.  Most team make up their own words, or they borrow words from other coaches/programs.  

Third:  So how do you create plays?  Just like a football coach creates them.  You try to use your personnel to maximize your team's chances of getting a one-on-one situation, or you try to isolate our best/bigger hitters vs. their smallest/weakest blockers.  

Fourth:   Let's talk about some plays.  Play #1:  Let's say you have a front row setter.  Then your middle can slide behind the setter and your OH can hit a 3-zone low ball (31 or 32#.  This will force the opposing MB to make a decision:  follow the middle, or anticipate a 3-zone set.  He can't defend both.  Yeah, yeah, I know that a lot of men don't like sliding.  Whatever.  

Play #2:  Advanced teams use their C-zone #back row right) hitter a lot, especially when they have a front row setter.  So have your C hitter ready!  This will get you three hitting options, even when you have a front row setter.

Play #3:  Do you have the personnel to run a double quick?  This is an very hard play to defend.  You bring the right in for a 61, the middle for a 51, and your OH will hit as low a ball as possible, to try to keep the MB from closing.  

Maybe this helped some!  If you have any follow ups, please e-mail me again.  And please visit www.coachhouser.com sometime.  I think you'll love the smiling faces.