Volleyball is a team sport requiring constant communication and collaboration among its members. Teammates must work together to cover their side of the court defensively, then quickly switch to offense and mount an attack against the other side. At more advanced levels, volleyball squads may use multiple formations and run precise plays that require a high level of teamwork.
The Serve Receive
Teams use a variety of serve-receive schemes designed to cover the court, gain control of the ball and set up an attack. “Gold Medal Volleyball,” edited by Mark Rauterkus, noted that “all successful combination plays involve the coordination between the serve receiver who must accurately pass the ball to the setter target. The setter must control the rhythm and timing of the release of the ball and select the spiker most likely to score."
Mounting the Attack
Setters operate like quarterbacks, directing the play. They adjust to passes and convert them into sets that allow their hitters to attack the other court. Setters and hitters work closely together, reading each other and executing set plays. Writing on his website, Winthrop University assistant volleyball coach Chuck Rey described the setter’s challenge: “The movements and thought processes have to be automatic. ‘What are my hitter strengths, weaknesses, what play set needs to be run in this rotation…now make the appropriate set call.’” Similarly, hitters must read the developing play to time their attack. They just adjust to the set and convert it into the best possible hit.
Defending the Attack
Teams may use a variety of alignments to defend the attack. But blockers and back-row players must read and react to the play in concert, communicating to make certain the court is covered. Effective defense requires quick and cohesive team movement.
Transitioning to Offense
After a successful block at the net or dig deeper in the court, a team must immediately switch back to offense to set up an attack. Again, players must communicate, move quickly and work together. “Total defense is an inter-relationship involving blocking and back-row skills coordinated to produce numerous point-scoring opportunities," former U.S. Olympic volleyball coach Doug Beal once observed.
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