Volleyball Words and Definitions For Setting Five Fast Offensive Plays

These 5 volleyball words and definitions define setting terms describing how setters set quicker and lower balls to hitters to create fast team offensive plays.

The volleyball words I describe below are a part of the common terminology that experienced setters and hitters use to communicate to each other to run their offense. (Al Case photo)

Its a setter's job to run a team's offense which means as you get better and improve your setting skills you'll have to learn how to speed up and lower the height of a ball in order to run a faster offense.

The volleyball words I describe below are a part of the common terminology that experienced setters and hitters use to communicate to each other the types of sets the hitter wants to hit or the setter wants to deliver while running the team's offensive strategy. 

The volleyball words and definitions I describe below are a part of the common terminology that experienced setters and hitters use to communicate to each other. (Ralph Arvesen)

Shoot set 

The shoot set is a high velocity set that relies heavily on precise timing and precision placement delivered primarily to the middle blocker or left side hitter while they're in Zone 3 or Zone 4.

Whether the setter delivers the shoot set to the outside or half way out between zones 4 and 3 on the net, the hitter should have already taken their spike approach and have their arm up in the air ready to hit when the ball reaches them.

Volleyball Words and Definitions: 5 Setting Terms Setters Use For Fast Offensive Plays. The "shoot set" when set out to a hitter in Zone four is also known as "the Go" set. (Michael E. Johnston)

Half shoot set

The half shoot is a very high speed or high velocity set, that ranges from one to three feet high and is delivered with virtually no arc and parallel to the net, to a hitter, usually the middle hitter.

The hitter takes their last two steps of their spike approach so they make contact with the ball half way between zone four and zone three on the net.

Volleyball Words and Definitions For Setting Five Fast Offensive Plays: The "31" is a fast half shoot set to a player, who has taken their spike approach so they hit the ball and land four to five feet in front of the setter. (Michael E. Johnston)

31 set

The "31" is a fast half shoot set to a player, usually the middle hitter and sometimes the outside hitter, who has taken their spike approach so they take off, hit the ball and land four to five feet in front of the setter.

At higher levels of competition the timing for the "31" is such that the hitter has taken their last two steps in their spike approach and is in the air when the setter has the ball--in their hands--so all the setter has to do is literally shoot the ball at a very fast speed right into the hands of the waiting spiker.

The "31" like the half shoot basically looks like a long quick set that's being set so that the ball is contacted between Zone 3 and Zone 4 along the net. 

Volleyball Words and Definitions For Setting Five Fast Offensive Plays: The "31" like the half shoot basically looks like a long quick set that's being set so that the ball is contacted between Zone 3 and Zone 4 along the net. (Ralph Arvesen)

Three set -

The three set is another name for the half shoot.

The three set, the half shoot and the "31" sets are pretty much all the same and vary only with a hitter's spike approach speed, their ability to jump and be up in the air and to time their or accelerate  their armswing speed.

The volleyball words and definitions I describe below are a part of the common terminology that experienced setters and hitters use to communicate to each other. (Ralph Arvesen)

The 32 set -

The 32 is a slower paced half shoot which is run as the slower or second timing play option at the same time as the 31.

The middle hitter makes their spike approach, taking off about four to five feet away from the setter and is in the air by the time the setter is contacting the ball.

Meanwhile the outside hitter is taking her approach to a spot, just on the left outside shoulder or depending on the team the inside shoulder of the middle blocker.

While the middle hitter is landing or coming down from her spike approach the outside hitter is going up to hit the 32.

1. Improve Your Volleyball Performance with Vegas VB Coach April Chapple
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