A good setter can make a weak team decent and a good team exceptional. A poor setter can do the opposite.

 

Analyzing the most successful teams usually has one thing in common: a quality setter. While each team will develop its own personality (some offensive-oriented, some defensive and scrappy), one common thread is obvious at any level: the setter is the glue that keeps the team’s parts together.

Regardless of the team’s system (6-2, 5-1, 4-2), the successful teams will have at least one good setter. This article will focus on five key ingredients when choosing a setter as well as the Guiding Principles that apply for each: athletic ability and touch, communication and leadership, mental toughness, game understanding and physical attributes.

Athletic Ability and Touch

The setter is the quarterback of the team. Setters will (hopefully) touch the ball more often than any other player on the team. Setters should touch the ball on EVERY play. Therefore, you want better athletes touching the most balls (Guiding Principle #1). The setter needs to be fast (speed in a straight line) and quick/agile (speed in changing direction). A fast, quick and agile setter will be able to beat the ball to the necessary spot from all areas of the court. A straight shuttle runs from the volleyball sideline to the volleyball sideline is a good test to determine an athlete’s speed.

The setter’s most important skill is the ability to get to the ball. However, a quick touch is needed once the setter gets to the ball and is ready to make contact. This can be developed through repetitions emphasizing a quick release. The setter’s mentality should be to deliver a hittable ball (Guiding Principle #2) to their hitters. Setters with a quick touch on the ball will be more consistently delivering a hittable ball to their hitters, especially when introducing and learning how to set the first tempo, or quick, sets.

Communication and Leadership

Because good, experienced setters act as court coaches and are often court captains, it is imperative that they be good communicators. Setters are often the liaison between the coach (Guiding Principle #3) and the rest of the team. Setters need to direct the team’s offence by calling the plays. Before each serve, while the ball is not in play, the setter must communicate by either verbal calls and/or hand signals what set each hitter will attack.

Good setters will command their teammates’ attention and portray a calm, relaxed and confident attitude (even if they are not feeling it). Setters need to be poised under pressure, level-headed and willing to take the blame for possible mishaps, whether or not they are at fault. That’s what a good leader does.

Mental Toughness/Competitor

Athletes who are competitors and mentally tough demand the ball in pressure situations. Good players and setters must compete in every play (Guiding Principle #4). Regardless of the score, how the team is performing, or how they themselves are performing, setters must play each point separately from every other. Each point is a game unto itself. The setter must have the mental ability to focus on each play, learn from previous successes and failures and then react and play to win each “mini-game.”

Game Understanding

A good setter will be a coach on the court (Guiding Principle #3). It is not unusual for the setter to be the court captain. Setters should be able to direct changes in serve receive patterns, deliver the ball to the hot hitter (Guiding Principle #5), take advantage of mismatches at the net (priority hitter versus weak blocker) and change the tempo of the offence.

The setter should know the possible options in each rotation for both the serve receive and the transition game. Of course, at the beginner levels, this will not happen immediately. The setter needs to be a student of the game and learn by playing, watching more experienced setters and even watching and studying videotapes of their own and others’ performances.

Physical Attributes

Ideally, setters should be tall, athletic, left-handed and possess a good vertical jump. Setters should be tall because they usually play the right side position in the front court (position 2). This means they will be blocking the opponent’s outside hitter, who is probably one of the two best hitters on their team. Setters who can stop the opponent’s attack at the net by blocking effectively are much more valuable to their team.

We’ve already mentioned that the setter must be a good athlete. The setter must be able to move quickly to beat the ball to the spot. When setters get to the ball quickly, they will be more likely to better the ball (Guiding Principle #6). To “better the ball” means that the team is in a better (more offensive) position after the ball is played than before it was played. When setters are able to “better the ball,” they will turn poor passes into hittable sets (Guiding Principle #2) and good passes into perfect sets. Setters who play with the mentality and ability to “better the ball” will elevate their team’s play.

Left-handed setters have an advantage over right-handed setters. In the transition game, setters move to the right front position (position 2) when in the front court and the right back position (position 1) when in the backcourt (in most offensive organizational systems). All else being equal, left-handed setters can attack the second contact more easily since their hitting hand (left) is off the net when facing left front (position 4). Of course, it’s possible to train right-handed setters to attack (dump or hit) the ball with their left hand, but until setters become proficient at attacking with their left hand, it may be a disadvantage to be right-handed.

Setters must possess a good vertical jump to be a force at the net. This becomes a necessity when the team plays a 5-1 system. Setters in a 5-1 must play in the front court and must be able to defend (block) at the net. In a 6-2 system, since there is another setter in the backcourt, setters who rotate into the front court can either be utilized as a hitter if they have good jumping & blocking skills or may be replaced by a better hitter/blocker.

Summary

In any recipe, there is significance to the order of ingredients. The first ingredient listed is what makes up the majority of the food product, and the last ingredient makes up the smallest part of the food product. When deciding on your setter, the decision will be easy if all of the “ingredients” are evident in the player.

Realistically, most setters – especially at the lower levels of play – will not possess all of the ingredients. In any case, the coach must decide on the most important ingredient for their setter and their team’s success.

According to this author, the ingredients for a “recipe for a setter” are listed in priority order: athletic ability, communication and leadership, mental toughness, game understanding and physical attributes.

Possessing these ingredients will help the setter deliver the Guiding Principles for setting:

• Better athletes will touch most balls
• Deliver a hittable set
• The setter is a coach on the court
• Compete on every play
• Deliver the ball to the hot hitter
• Better the ball

Good luck with creating a successful recipe for your own team!

 

author: Peggy Kane-Hopton

https://volleycountry.com/training/6-recipes-for-succesful-setter

5 Key Elements Coaches Look for in Recruiting a Libero

 It's worth noting that a libero should develop good communication skills and should be able to coordinate the work of his/her teammates on the court. As a result, a libero will be able to demonstrate a great serve-receive game and make a good pass.

Recruiting a libero is typically a marathon, not a sprint. Liberos are the toughest and usually the last position to be recruited. Not only are they competing against every other libero, but also small pin hitters and setters. We asked a few of our excellent college coaches from every level, what they look for in a libero.

Energy

The most common thing we heard that college coaches are looking for when recruiting a libero. The libero is always on the court unless it is her one play she is required to sit out. She needs to be the spark plug of the team. Work ethic is contagious; if the libero is doing her job, she sparks the team on defence and motivates everybody on the court. She is always someone everyone can look to for support, leadership and bringing the team up when they are down.

Hustle

Hustling to cover the hitter and get back to base defence. Hustle to get the tip up. Hustle to chase a shanked pass. Hustle to help a teammate off the floor. Hustle, hustle, hustle all the time. Remember, work ethic is contagious.

Serve-receive-pass

Passing a three-ball so the offence can run the system with all options available is more important than a libero being great at defence. When a coach has seen a libero play lights-out defence, it always comes back to, “can she serve-receive-pass?” I’ve been asked this question more than any other, from college coaches about the libero. With the libero being back in every serve-receive play, they do not want her to be an easy target. Typically, liberos tend to be easier targets since they wear a different jersey from their teammates.

Consistency

Does the libero get her angles on her platform to manipulate the ball where it needs to go? Does she have a variety of ways to play a ball? Everybody gets out of position or caught moving in one direction when the ball is touched off the block and changes paths all of the sudden. Can she get her platform around the ball and make a good pass in that situation?

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3 Reasons Why Volleyball Players Need Strength and Conditioning

 

3 Reasons Why Volleyball Players Need Strength and Conditioning

A volleyball-specific strength and conditioning program can optimize a player’s performance on the court. Whether athletes are still developing or competing at the highest level, spending time in the weight room building a strong foundation can be the difference between winning and losing a game. Here are three key reasons why volleyball coaches should incorporate strength training in their program.

#1  Strength and Power

Volleyball is a sport dominated by strength and power. Players need power in their legs to get high in the air and strength in their upper body to spike, block, and dig balls. Lifting weights stimulates muscle fibres to grow, which allows athletes to produce more force at faster rates. Thus, as players get stronger, their explosive power also heightens on the court. Strengthening volleyball-specific muscles ensures that athletes are able to reach their maximum performance potential.

For example, core strength is vital for a player’s stability and allows hitters to transition power more efficiently from their lower body to their upper body and arm swing. Muscle fibres grow when directly stimulated by the stress of strength training, which makes lifting an athlete’s best tool for developing the power to jump higher and serve more forcefully.

#2 Jumping and Agility

Volleyball requires explosive jumps and rapid changes in direction. The ability to jump high is treasured amongst volleyball players because of the importance of spiking the ball as well as defending spikes from opponents. Vertical jumping is about ground force production, core stability, and quick hips. In order for players to improve vertical jumps, they must spend time in the weight room doing deadlifts, squats, and other exercises that strengthen leg and hip muscles.

Additionally, tracking and quickly changing directions to keep the ball in play is key to winning points. An effective strength and conditioning program incorporates agility drills and lateral movements to improve foot speed. Putting in the extra effort in the weight room will make players more dominant on the court.

#3 Injury Prevention and Flexibility

Not only do volleyball players need to be skilled, strong, and powerful, but they also need to be healthy. Volleyball is a high-impact sport, and with all the jumping, landing, cutting, and planting, an athlete’s body can take a beating. The muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding joints help protect from injury, but strenuous volleyball movements can cause these joints to temporarily weaken.

Without sufficient recovery time or muscle strength, players will experience injuries over time. Overuse injuries include patellofemoral syndrome, shoulder impingements, shin splints, and back pain. Undoubtedly, increasing strength levels will lower the risk of injury and muscle vulnerability. Stronger muscles can better absorb the shock from landings and quick direction changes.

Additionally, developing a foundation of balanced strength and flexibility allows muscles to work together to minimize joint and ligament stress. Flexibility increases the range of motion, improves technique, and enables more force to be exerted. Therefore, implementing a volleyball-specific strength and conditioning program significantly helps prevent injuries.

Recap

A volleyball-specific strength and conditioning program optimizes athletic performance and takes players to the next level. Working hard in the weight room translates to wins on the court.

About the Author

BridgeAthletic builds high-performance training tools for coaches and athletes who compete at the highest levels.

https://jvavolleyball.org/

Next Three Months

 

The next three months are set!

October This past month has been exciting for us here at the academy. We have enjoyed offering the NexGen session. October is right around the corner, one week away. As you can see below, we have an entire month of activities. Lots of NexGen sessions, Jump training, private lessons and a group of single skill sessions. Do not forget the three open gym game play nights in October. We look forward to seeing you on the court soon.   Don't wait, as some of these sessions are starting to fill up. Register early We have started making powerful quote posters; you should look at some of these in the photo gallery. Here are three of my favourites Photo Gallery November It is time to start getting ready for the club season. Tune up those skills and your jump. It is all being provided in this entire month. Below is a quick peek at what is being offered. Register early A few more quote posters. We put all the posters and photos in high definition so you can print them off, frame them or make posters. December Christmas is coming. It is right around the corner, and then the new year and club season. Can you believe it is only a few months away? Are you going to be ready?   Check out the calendar below. Register early A final few posters So many great images and quotes just waiting to be put together. Photo Gallery

Attacking Basics - Cross-Court Mechanics

 Attacking Basics - Cross-Court Mechanics

 Pre-­‐contact phase (right handed player)         

1. Attacker has their weight on the front of the right foot, ready to go, and is waiting to see the set to time the approach.

2. Attacker takes a first step toward the net with the left foot. The arms are slightly bent and the elbows stay fairly close to the body. The shoulders are facing the point where the hitter wants to meet the ball.

3. The hitter accelerates the approach by pushing hard with the left foot and taking a big right step toward the ball while lowering their center of gravity. The last adjustment to the ball is made on that step. The arms simultaneously extend behind the body to a point where they are parallel to the floor.

4. The left foot is quickly planted in front of the right foot to allow the body and hips to be open to the set. The more space between the feet, the more lead the hitter will have in their jump. The arms start making their way back in front of the body. 

5. The arms both swing upward as the legs push on the floor. The attacker lifts with the left arm pointing at the ball. The right arm is bent behind the head. The left shoulder is in front and slightly above the right one. The hips are open to the set.

Contact phase 

6. The abdominal muscles contract to initiate the rotation and to transfer the power from the legs to the upper body. The right shoulder lifts above the left one when the left arm is dynamically brought down close to the body and the right arm is thrown up in full extension toward the ball. The hand is wide open and relaxed at contact with the ball. Player exhales at moment of contact.

Post-contact phase 

7. The rotation brings the left should even lower. The arm follows through in the direction of the hit and finishes somewhere across the body of the hitter. 

8. The hitter lands on both feet with the shoulders facing the net because of the rotation. They get in their blocking position right away to be ready for the next play. 

Source: Volleyball Canada. Photos provided by FIVB 

 

 

               

 

Welcome to the Middle of September! Have you checked the list of the Academy athletes that made the school team?  The List If your child is not on the list, send me a quick email, and I will add them to the list. Let up know!

Sign up now for the October NexGen Sessions Hitter Setter Libero Fundamental Jump Training Registration Sign up for the Basic and Advanced Skill Sessions Serving  Passing Spiking Defence Blocking Registration The Friday Open Gym Nights (play the Game) Registration

Libero Rules - do you know them?

 Some of these might be hard to understand, but we will work on them, so you understand. These are taken from the latest Volleyball Canada Rule Book 2020-2021

THE LIBERO PLAYER

19.1 DESIGNATION OF THE LIBERO

19.1.1 Volleyball Canada - Use of only 1 libero is permitted except for 14U and 15U (boys and girls).

Volleyball Canada - the Libero may be re-designated after each set. The number of the Libero must be on the line-up sheet for each set. If the coach decides to re-designate the Libero between sets, the new Libero may be any player registered on the scoresheet. Any re-designated Libero must comply with the uniform rule. The number of the uniform for the re-designated Libero must be the same as that player's number recorded on the scoresheet. The replaced Libero can now act as a regular player, providing he/she has the correct uniform.

19.1.2 All Liberos must be recorded on the score sheet in the special lines reserved for this. Volleyball Canada - The Libero is to be recorded on the score sheet with the team roster, not on the special line. The number of the Libero is to be recorded on the lineup sheet for all sets.

19.1.3 For 2 liberos where used - The Libero on court is the Acting Libero. If there is another Libero, he/she is the second Libero for the team. Only one Libero may be on court at any time. Volleyball Canada - For Volleyball Canada competitions, the team captain cannot be the Libero for the first set of the match. a) If the Libero is redesignated after set 1 or subsequent sets, the redesignated Libero may be the player who is listed on the score sheet as the team captain. b) If the above redesignation occurs, the coach must appoint a new team captain. This is to be recorded in the remarks section of the score sheet. c) At the conclusion of the match, the original team captain is to sign the score sheet.

19.1.4 The Libero cannot be either team captain or game captain at the same time as performing as a Libero.

19.2 EQUIPMENT

The Libero player(s) must wear a uniform (OR JACKET/BIB FOR THE REDESIGNATED Libero) which has a different dominant colour from any colour of the rest of the team. The uniform must clearly contrast with the rest of the team. The Libero uniforms must be numbered like the rest of the team. Volleyball Canada - The Libero must wear a uniform which has a different dominant colour from any dominant colour of the team jersey.

19.3 ACTIONS INVOLVING THE LIBERO

19.3.1 The playing actions 19.3.1.1 The Libero is allowed to replace any player in a back-row position.

19.3.1.2 He/she is restricted to perform as a back-row player and is not allowed to complete an attack hit from anywhere (including playing court and free zone) if at the moment of the contact, the ball is entirely higher than the top of the net.

19.3.1.3 He/she may not serve, block or attempt to block.

19.3.1.4 A player may not complete an attack hit when the ball is entirely higher than the top of the net, if the ball is coming from an overhand finger pass by a Libero in his/her front zone. The ball may be freely attacked if the Libero makes the same action from outside his/her front zone.

19.3.2 Libero Replacements

19.3.2.1 Libero Replacements are not counted as substitutions. They are unlimited, but there must be a completed rally between two Libero replacements(unless a penalty causes the team to rotate and the Libero to move to position four, or the Acting Libero becomes unable to play, making the rally incomplete). (Also See Rules 15.5, 6.1.3) The Libero can only be replaced by the player whom he/she replaced.

19.3.2.2 The regular replacement player may replace and be replaced by either Libero. The Acting Libero can only be replaced by the regular replacement player for that position or by the second Libero.

19.3.2.3 At the start of each set, the Libero cannot enter the court until the 2nd referee has checked the line-up and authorised a Libero replacement with a starting player.

19.3.2.4 Other Libero replacements must only take place while the ball is out of play and before the whistle for service.

19.3.2.5 A Libero replacement made after the whistle for service but before the service hit should not be rejected; however, at the end of the rally, the game captain must be informed that this is not a permitted procedure, and that repetition will be subject to delay sanctions.

19.3.2.6 Subsequent late Libero replacements shall result in the play being interrupted immediately and the imposition of a delay sanction. The team to serve next will be determined by the level of the delay sanction.

19.3.2.7 The Libero and the replacing player may only enter or leave the court through the "Libero Replacement Zone" (Also see Rules 1.4.4., 7.5.1., D. 1b).

19.3.2.8 Libero replacements must be recorded in the Libero Control Sheet (if one is used) or on the electronic score sheet.

19.3.2.9 An illegal Libero replacement can involve (amongst others): - No completed rally between Libero replacements - The Libero being replaced by a player other than the second Libero or the regular replacement player. An illegal Libero replacement should be considered in the same way as an illegal substitution: - should the illegal Libero replacement be noticed before the start of the next rally, then this is corrected by the referees, and the team is sanctioned for delay; - should the illegal Libero replacement be noticed after the service hit, the consequences are the same as for an illegal substitution.

19.4 RE-DESIGNATION OF A NEW LIBERO

19.4.1 The Libero becomes unable to play if injured, ill, expelled or disqualified. The Libero can be declared unable to play for any reason by the coach or, in the absence of a coach, by the game captain.

19.4.2 Team with one Libero

19.4.2.1 When only one Libero is available for a team according to Rule 19.4.1, or the team has only one registered, and this Libero becomes or is declared unable to play, the coach (or game captain if no coach is present) may re-designate as Libero for the remainder of the match any other player (replacement player excepted) not on the court at the moment of the re-designation.

19.4.2.2 If the Acting Libero becomes unable to play, he/she may be replaced by the regular replacement player or immediately and directly to court by a redesignated Libero. However, a Libero who is the subject of a re-designation may not play for the remainder of the match. If the Libero is not on court when declared unable to play, he/she may also be the subject of a redesignation. The Libero declared unable to play may not play for the remainder of the match.

19.4.2.3 The coach, or game captain if no coach is present, contacts the second referee informing him/her about the re-designation.

19.4.2.4 Should a re-designated Libero become or be declared unable to play, further re-designations are permitted.

19.4.2.5 If the coach requests the team captain to be re-designated as the new Libero, this will be permitted – but the team captain must in this case relinquish all leadership privileges.

19.4.2.6 In the case of a re-designated Libero, the number of the player redesignated as Libero must be recorded on the score sheet remarks section and on the Libero control sheet (or electronic score sheet if one is used).

19.4.3 Team with two Liberos

19.4.3.1 Where a team has registered on the score sheet two Liberos, but one becomes unable to play the team has the right to play with only one Libero. No re-designation will be allowed, however, unless the remaining Libero is unable to continue playing for the match.

19.5 SUMMARY

19.5.1 If the Libero is expelled or disqualified, he/she may be replaced immediately by the team’s second Libero. Should the team have only one Libero, then it has the right to make a re-designation.