Over-the-head set

Articles In This Section:

· The Setup

· Purpose

· Qualities Desired in the Player

· Mechanics of the Setup Position prior to set

· Contact with ball and follow-through

· Over-the-head set

· Other sets

· Technical Aspects and Strategy

· Conclusion

There is a marked similarity in body position prior to the routine forward set and the over-the-head or backward set. In the first place, there is no necessity for a different stance, and, in the second place, a different stance would tip off the direction of the set and destroy the surprise element.

Differences occur upon contact with the ball and are as follows. The arc of the pass should be judged so as to be set off the forehead instead of the nose, the neck should be bent more sharply up and back to follow properly the flight of the ball, and the wrists should be bent back more than in the forward set so that the fingers handle the set direction more than the thumbs.