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A Setter in Volleyball: A Step-by-Step Guide to Proper Technique

Be a setter in volleyball who knows how to run an effective offensive attack with two or three front row hitters to beat the block and opposing defense. 

A setter in volleyball uses specific hand and body positioning to deliver a hittable ball to their attackers. That's me coaching my starting setter Kiara during a Vegas Volley 18s practice.

Dear Volleyball Mom, Did you know your player can Upgrade their volleyball skills with an expert college volleyball prep coach Las Vegas based April Chapple (that's me!) creator of the Breakfast Club for College Players.

The setter in volleyball is often called the team's quarterback, responsible for running the offense and making split-second decisions that can win or lose points.

With over three decades of coaching experience, I'll show you exactly how to develop the technical skills and court awareness needed to become an effective setter.

With over three decades of coaching experience, I'll show you exactly how to develop the technical skills and court awareness needed to become an effective setter. Watch my Vegas Volley setter Mai during a practice. (Shots by Shanty)

I'll show you exactly how to develop the technical skills and court awareness needed to become an effective setter. Watch my Vegas Volley setter Mai during a practice. (Shots by Shanty)

Understanding the setter's role goes beyond just putting up a hittable ball - it's about mastering body positioning, developing quick decision-making skills, and learning to lead your team's offense.

Whether you're new to setting or looking to improve your existing skills, I'll break down each component of successful setting.

When I teach players how to be a setter in volleyball I always like to start with the lower body parts. Specifically, I'll start with the feet and then I work my way up the body, basically breaking up the setting skill by body part.

Let's start where every great setter begins - with proper foot positioning.

Your feet are literally your foundation for setting success, which is why I always begin here when teaching new setters.

When I  teach players how to be a setter in volleyball I always like to start with the lower body parts.

Specifically, I'll start with the feet and then I work my way up the body, basically breaking up the setting skill by body part.

This way, when you are by yourself and practicing how to set a volleyball and you don’t have a coach, you can check your own form and technique to see if you're performing this skill correctly.

What does a setter do in volleyball? A setter uses their open palmed hands to accompany or lift the ball back into the air towards their intended target. (Ralph Aversen)

When setting a ball alot of people think that the most important thing to focus on is the upper body. I always start coaching the setting skill by focusing on the feet first.

Sure, you set the volleyball with your hands but, if you can’t get to the ball and if you don't have your body correctly positioned underneath the ball first, then it won’t matter what you do with your hands because you won’t be able to set the ball.

What's the setter ready position? Even if you’re left handed setter then you want to have your right foot slightly in front of the left and you should have both knees bent slightly.

When you’re in the ready position, it means that

• your feet should be planted shoulder width apart so you are in a balanced position able to move forwards, backwards or to either side quickly.

I was taught to have my right foot a few inches in front of my left foot. So I teach the same thing because it works. 

Even if you’re left handed setter then you want to have your right foot slightly in front of the left and you should have both knees bent slightly.

This lower body position helps you maintain your balance, so that you can run to get to any ball.

When you’re in the ready position, it means that your feet should be planted shoulder width apart so you are in a balanced position able to move forwards, backwards or to either side quickly.

Now that we've established your base with proper footwork, let's move up to your core - the power center that connects your lower body movement to your upper body control.

Your midsection is the bridge between your quick feet and your setting hands. Without proper core positioning, even perfect footwork won't translate to accurate sets.

This is what I tell some of my clients, for the correct positioning of their midsection, when you want to be a setter in volleyball, you should imagine having a stick that has been inserted in your back where your spine is.

This stick starts from the top of your neck and ends just at your tailbone and it keeps you from being able to bend at the waist.

Your palms of both hands open and facing upwards towards the sky so your hands form the shape of the ball (Gallery Three)

With your hands above your head,

• you can only use your legs to get to the ball
• you can only use your legs to get balanced under the ball

Setter in volleyball: Your shoulders should be in front of your ears with arms outstretched over your head and elbows slightly slightly bent. (Joy van Buhler)

With your feet and core properly positioned, let's focus on your arms - the final link in creating that perfect setting window above your forehead.

The ready position for the setter in volleyball for your arms is similar to when you run.

Your arms start at your sides slightly bent at your elbows in a 90 degree angle.

When the ball comes within arm's length above your head, let’s say two to three feet above it, you want to quickly bring both arms up in front of you and as your arms come up, bring them closer together.

As a setter in volleyball you want to quickly bring both arms up in front of you and as your arms come up, bring them closer together. Pictured my former club setter, boot camp class and private client Stanford starting setter Kami Miner at a USAV High Performance camp.

When you first make contact with the ball your shoulders should be in front of your ears with arms outstretched over your head and elbows slightly slightly bent. 

The palms of both hands open and facing upwards towards the sky so your hands form the shape of the ball (Kiara Starting setter for Vegas Volley in a Shots by Shanty photo)

Now we've reached the final and most visible part of setting - your hands.

While many players focus here first, you can see how each previous body position contributes to creating the perfect platform for ball control

Your goal is to have

• both of your index and thumbs on each hand slightly one inch apart without touching each other at the tips with
• your palms of both hands open and facing upwards towards the sky so your hands form the shape of the ball

Your goal is to have both of your index and thumbs on each hand slightly one inch apart without touching each other at the tips with your palms of both hands open and facing upwards towards the sky so your hands form the shape of the ball

This way your hands create a cradle where the ball will settle into when you contact it above your forehead.

This cradle that you’ve formed is what you use to accompany or lift the ball back into the air towards your intended target.

One key to remember is that as your arms move back up to the sky with the ball cradled in your hands you want to keep your hands in the shape of the ball for as long as you can.

This way you have control of the ball.

Just to double check, the correct hand position when you're a setter in volleyball is for both of your palms to be turned up to the sky, which should form that cradle which fits perfectly around the ball.

Just to double check, the correct hand position when you're a setter in volleyball is for both of your palms to be turned up to the sky, which should form that cradle which fits perfectly around the ball.

Both of your index fingers and thumbs of each hand are not touching each other but are very close as they form the shape of a loose triangle which you should place like a window right at the top of your forehead where your hairline is.

Now in your next volleyball practice, focus on using the correct technique, body positioning and timing while you do your reps so that you become a great volleyball setter.

Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience. These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis. Sign up now!

Follow me on Pinterest Volleybragswag to improve your game even faster!

I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 

Good times! Where do you need to go now? Here are three options: 

1. Learn more about the setter volleyball player by exploring he Related Links below. 
2. Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page Learning How To Play (Sitemap)
3. Or visit the pages in the Volleyball Positions section in the drop down menu at the top of the page. 
4. Reintroduce yourself to Miss Ricci the Raccoon, #5 , the setter and team captain for the All Beast VolleyBragSwag All Star Team. 

Meet Ricci the Raccoon setter for the Volleybragswag All Beast team.

Tennessee Athletics Honors April Chapple at Champions Weekend for Legendary Volleyball Achievements

From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?

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