Mechanics of the Setup Position prior to 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

Body balance is the most important directive in the proper set of a volleyball. While exact positions of various parts of the body are enumerated below, any other positions enabling co-ordinated muscular movement from a balanced body are acceptable and will produce good sets if the arc of the passed ball falls through the center of body balance from a position well above the setter's head.

The balls of the feet should support equally the body weight. Heels of both feet should be touching the floor but supporting no weight. The foot nearest the net should be about % -foot length ahead of the other foot and pointing in the direction of the intended set, or in exact opposite direction in case of an over-the-head set. The feet should be about 12 inches apart, but that will be determined by the player in relation to body balance.

Legs are slightly bent and are flexible. This is similar to the two-handed set shot in basketball. The body should be straight without stiffness. The shoulders will be naturally drawn in slightly by the position of the arms but should not be humped forward.

Head and neck will be governed by the fall of the ball. Normally, contact with the ball will be made just before it would strike the nose. Arms from shoulder to elbow should be on a level with shoulders and slightly forward. Arms from elbow to wrist will be angled slightly upward so as to place the thumbs near and on a level with the nose.

Wrists should be flexible, yet bent back almost 90 per cent to allow palms of the hands to be upward from the floor. Fingers should be flexible and extended but not joined. All of the weight of the ball should be taken on fleshy parts of the fingers, most of the weight being concentrated on the thumbs and index fingers, while the remaining fingers act as directional guides. The ball should never touch the palms of the hands in setting.