1. Communicate With the Volleyball Setter
When you are one of the outside hitters in volleyball, the most important aspect of your job on the team is to communicate with your setter. Getting cherry sets from your setter just won't happen if you don't communicate what type of sets you like best. Don't just communicate with words--during practice, tell your setter exactly what sets you like and which ones you didn't. It's common for people to say they want a certain type of set when their perspective on that type of set is different than yours is. Work as a team--call the great sets and drive them home during practice, so you'll score the win during the match. The key is to positively communicate with your team so you are the best you can be.
2. Drill the Drills
Outside hitters need to do the drills that give them the real game experience of the high balls they are likely to receive. Give your outside hitter plenty of high balls with sets from both the setters on your team. Make sure to give them plenty of time to practice long shots as well.
3. Teamwork Imperative
In no other sport is teamwork as important as in volleyball. If you aren't careful, you can give credit to an impressive outside hitter when some of the credit is due to the setting the team did. Both your outside hitters need to pay special attention to the great sets they receive and acknowledge the work done by the entire team. Serves, sets and attacks make the match, not just the spike that drove the point home.
4. Do the Numbers
Most advanced volleyball teams have two outside hitters, enabling them to attack from either side. This also allows for a more varied method of attack when spacing the outside hitters strategically on the court. Try your team out with two outside hitters and see if the numbers work. If not, change it up and try a different configuration until you find what fits your mix of players.
5. Play Safe
Make sure to always warm up your outside hitters. Stretching before practice limits injury. It's a shame to have your best player is out with an Achilles tendon injury just because you didn't spend the proper time warming up. Keep things cool too, by making sure your players keep properly hydrated. Stick with plain water or vitamin enhanced water and leave the sports drinks behind. These not only have too much sugar, they also have tons of artificial colors and flavors, which no one needs.
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