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How do I set in volleyball?

How can I encourage my volleyball teammates to set me?

  • Hi there! I play recreational sand volleyball two or three times a week with a mix of people from different cultures -- Finland, Colombia, Argentina, but mostly guys from India (I am a white gal from Texas). None of us is that great at volleyball, but we are good enough to have several good points a night. The ongoing problem is that when I am on a team with the guys from India, they sometimes get into a super-annoying routine of only setting each other and of hogging the ball. This is super-frustrating because I set really pretty well, and I will set everyone equally. But when the guys set, they often clearly play favorites, picking each other over any girl they happen to have on their team. If they were the best hitters ever, maybe that would be OK. But they are wildly unpredictable, so the girl can be standing there wide open, ready to spike, but the guy hitter will get the set ... and hit it straight into the net. Or way the heck out. Lather, rinse, repeat. I feel like this is primarily a cultural thing, and there are some language barriers between us, but I feel like in the international language of volleyball and good sportsmanship, they need to knock it off. I am outnumbered, and I need them more than they need me. Any advice on how to get my message across without sounding like a brat? Thanks!

  • Answer:

    First off, remember that you are playing recreational volleyball. If you are looking for a more competitive level of play, or looking to play with more consistent players in a truly "team" environment, look into joining a league that fits that criteria. Even in leagues where players are more experienced, there are always times when good players don't get set. BE VOCAL. Call for the ball. Let them know in the middle of the play that you're there ready to hit. Telling them before or after the play usually doesn't work, because in the heat of a rally, they will most likely only remember that their friend is there. Also try establishing a setter. Let them know that one person will transition and set all the way around. This will mean there will be times that some of the "favorites" are out of hitting positions. Another suggestion would be to hit the ball on the second contact and skip the setter all together. If the ball gets high enough and you are positioned correctly, hit the ball on the second contact. This is a great offensive move and it also forgoes the selfish setter/hitter combos. Remember, sand volleyball is conventionally a 2-man sport--and occasionally a four-man sport. Six players is unconventional at best, so don't expect a great level of consistency. Happy playing.

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Other answers

first u can either yell super super loud and maybe they will set u........or....u could join a club or a school team 4 better vball u dont need them :) hope i helped!!

mmorgan

call for your ball yell your throat out

saint

southern... has some great advice. Yelling outside or middle while the ball is on the way to the setter should help. The other is patience. I used to play with a very "cliquish" group. I would go weeks without getting a set. Finally, the other two front row players dove for the first ball and one of them passed it directly to the setter. His only choice standing was me. I saw the pained look on his face as he "had" to set me. I blasted the ball for a winner. Suddenly, I was part of the group and got some more sets. Not as many as the others, but it was more than 1 every 2 week.

gordonmorrison

Why couldn't you join the team on the other side of the net? Going to rec-game is like going to a party with free drawing at the door, you don't always get what you wanted, but you have a find a way to have fun. To me, playing pickup/recreational volleyball is a way to make new friends. If you play two three times a week, you should be able to find some "nice" players who like to have you on their team and involve you with more touches. You may talk to those "nice" players and see whether any of them is also playing more competitive games, and maybe you can join one of those league teams. Being a girl would give you some advantage in the co-ed or reverse co-ed league, no matter how good you are on the court. Even when you are out-numbered, you can still move your feet and get some digs and blocks. When you hassle for more saves, you could earn more respect. Just make this your first step into your local volleyball community, take your time to make new friends, and I am sure you will have fun down the road.

Dan_Ye

Outside the other suggestions you can try and split up the "clickish" people in the rotation. Say you "don't want all your height grouped in one spot" so that you have a better offensive and defensive mix. It will force them to set a 10-ball to get their buds or go for a more conventional set to a front line hitter. Assuming your are running a 3-2-1 at this play level and not a 6-2, a 5-1, or (god forbid) a total free-for-all.

M S

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