From Novice to Next Level: Mom's Guide To Volleyball Setting Technique

Attention volleyball moms!
Here's your own beginner's guide to volleyball setting technique with terms and skills your child needs to improve on the court!

In this guide, I break down volleyball setting technique which provides volleyball moms with knowledge tools to support their player's progress as they go from novice to the next level. (Ralph Aversen)

As a volleyball mom, it's important to understand why proper setting technique should be taught for your child's development.

For my clients and teams that I coach and train, I provide players with a ton of setting drills to do at home or during their free time so they can work on their volleyball setting technique on their own. (photo Dan Morgan)

Setting with the correct form not only improves accuracy and consistency but also reduces the risk of injuries.

Because using the right volleyball setting technique is such a crucial part of the game, understanding the fundamentals and communication involved can help you support your child's growth and development in the sport.

In this guide, I'll break down the fundamental volleyball setting technique which should provide you with the knowledge and tools to support your young player's progress as they go from novice to the next level.

Volleyball Setting Technique and Jargon: If a setter sets a ball to a hitter who scores a point with a kill, the setter gets credit for "assisting" in the positive result which is the point.

Whether your child is just starting out or has been playing for a couple of years, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to help them excel on the court.

A critical aspect of volleyball setting technique is hand and finger positioning.

Your child will be taught to form a triangle with their hands placed above their head in a position where they will look through the triangle while focusing on the ball as it comes to them above their head.

The triangle creates a "window" through which they can see the ball.

They'll need to keep their fingers spread apart and learn to keep their wrists strong and rigid, when making contact with the ball using all ten of fingertips simultaneously to help push or "set" the ball back into the air while directing it to a specific "target" or area on the court.

Proper footwork and lower body positioning are key components of consistent and effective volleyball setting.

Your child should be taught to start with their feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and weight evenly distributed.

As the ball approaches, their arms that are extended over their head, they will time a step towards the ball with a left foot-right foot close step that gets them to the ball (for right-handed players) and they'll need to square their hips and shoulders toward their intended target. 

Then they'll extend their arms towards the ball while making contact with all ten fingers, pushing the ball back up in the air, eventually working to be able to push the ball 15-20 feet in the air towards their intended target. 

My former three year private training client, 2024 Preseason All Conference Team and three year Stanford starting setter, Kami Miner is seen here, still a freshman high schooler, setting 17/18 year olds during practice while on the USA Girls National Team.

For my clients and teams that I coach and train, I provide players with a ton of setting drills to do at home or during their free time so they can work on their volleyball setting technique on their own. 

Here are a few ideas:

1. Wall setting: When players set against a wall, they should be focusing on proper hand and finger positioning, as well as accuracy, pace and consistency.

2. Partner setting: You can join your child in practicing setting back and forth, gradually increasing the distance and varying the height and speed of the sets.

3. Target practice: Set up targets (such as hula hoops or cones) at different heights and distances, and so your child can set the ball into these targets to improve precision.

As a volleyball mom, you can play a crucial role in helping your child identify and correct common setting mistakes. Keep an eye out for the following errors:

1. Swinging arms:

If your child is swinging their arms forward, swatting at the ball instead of setting it upward when setting, remind them to focus on using their wrists and fingers to generate power and direction.

2. Incorrect hand positioning:

Make sure that your child's hands are forming the proper triangle shape or ball-shaped hands and that the ball is making contact with all of their fingertips at the same time.

3. Lack of follow-through:

Encourage your child to practice extending their arms and fingers towards their target after releasing the ball without letting the ball come to a full stop in the palms of their hands. 

4. Be stopped.

Young players will have a tendency to walk when they're setting because they're in the process of growing stronger and gaining upper body strength.

As they get stronger and more accustomed to doing the setting drill players should be stopped when contacting the ball.

Later they will learn how to jump set but first they need to be stopped before taking off and up..in the air to set the ball.  

For my clients and teams that I coach and train, I provide players with a ton of setting drills to do at home or during their free time so they can work on their volleyball setting technique on their own. (photo Dan Morgan)

- **Assist:**

A recorded stat credited to a setter when their set leads directly to a point scored by a hitter.

- **Held Ball:**

A violation called when a setter allows the ball to come to a complete stop in their hands before releasing

- **Lift:**

A violation called if the ball is lifted instead of cleanly set, typically involving prolonged contact with the ball.

- **Back Set:**

A type of set delivered behind the setter to an attacker, requiring the setter to set the ball over their head and without looking at the target while setting the ball. 

- **Over Set:**

A setting error that happens when the ball is set too far over or away from the intended hitter's spiking arm reach.

- **Setter Dump:**

A strategy where the setter decides to push the ball into the opponent's court, catching the defense off-guard instead of setting it to a hitter.

Are you going to be one of those volleyball moms, that are going to want to take an active role in your child's setting development?

If so, you can make a significant impact on their progress and enjoyment of the game by continuing reading my volleyball mom articles.

By understanding proper volleyball setting technique, you can help guide your child's form when they're at home by engaging them with fun drills, and helping them correct common mistakes.

My goal is to help you be well-equipped to support their journey from novice to the next level.

Now I warn you, be ready, because as they get older they're going to want to listen to the experts, their high school and/or club coach or someone like my their private volleyball trainer and that's because more is at stake.

I get hired alot by parents who tell me I need your services because I use to be able to coach my kid but now they won't let me. 

Don't worry it happens all the time. A lot players will outgrow their parents when it comes to coaching them. 

But as they begin to learn the game at a young age these volleyball beginner education articles should help you, help them understand the skills and get better at doing them.

Remember, progress takes time and patience, so celebrate your child's efforts and milestones along the way.

With your encouragement, your young volleyball player will be well on their way to mastering the art of setting.

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. 

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