The game of volleyball relies on honing skills in the basic passes of the game including bumps, sets and spikes. Setters especially require practice considering the accuracy needed to set up the ball for a spike. Setting takes more than just hitting the ball, which has led to the creation of several different exercises to practice each skill required of the player.
Technique Drills
Technique is integral in being able to properly place the volleyball to set it over the net. To practice basic technique, have two partners face each other approximately 10 feet apart. One partner practices passing the ball, while the second partner practices setting. Face each other with foreheads and hips in a vertical line. As you set take three steps forward, and then as the ball is returned take three steps back to get back under the ball to set. Move back and forth between taking three steps forward and three steps back to practice getting under the ball from both directions.
Avoiding the Defense
Another important skill for a volleyball setter is learning how be aware of the defenders on the other side of the court when setting up a spike. To practice this skill, have one person on the opponent's side of the net and two players on the other side of the net. One of the two players tosses the ball up for the setter to hit. The person on the other side of the net then points to which side of the court they want the setter to set the ball up for in a way that another player can spike the ball adequately to that area of the court. The person waits until the ball is in the air to force the setter to think as the ball is coming down where to set the ball for the spike.
Distance Sets
A setter often needs to set a ball from varying distances and still hit the right mark for her teammate. Exercises for this skill are quite simple. Have two player stand approximately 20 feet apart and practice setting the ball between each other at the longer distance. Rarely will you need to set the ball 20 feet, but the practice at longer distances can also benefit setting at shorter distances as well.
Setting Strength
Strength is also essential for setters, especially for younger players who are just learning how to play the game. For strength exercises, practice setting from a sitting position. This removes the strength you gain from your legs, and forces you to use more of the upper body strength. This helps build the muscles necessary for setting, which will further be enforced once you start setting from a standing position again.
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