Getting Used to a Setter?

Bryant 14 · **Getting Used to a Setter? -** 01-13-2008, 11:49 AM

Hey everyone,

I like to consider myself a work in progress as a player. I have the natural instincts, but lack the instruction of a proper coach. I only played in a city league in high school, as my school didn't have a team, and last year at Bryant, we were a ragtag bunch of players with no coach and aside from myself and a few others, no committment.

This year though, we have a coach, and a strong freshman class. I hit outside, and struggled for the longest time because I was never taught a proper approach, and my hitting suffered because of it. This year, I practiced my approach, and saw immediate results...being able to hit a hard down ball hard angle, and hit line consistently. It helps, of course, that I have a pretty good setter feeding on the outside.

But here's the reason for the post. I came home for Winter Break, and decided to play some pick up ball with people from the city league, who, aside from being a bit older, are all experienced, competitive players. I was anxious to show them how much I had improved over the past year. So I get my first set outside, and I hit it straight into the net, and the next 2 sets go down the same route. Now, granted in pick up we aren't playing actual positions for more than 1 rotation, we just do a free rotate where everyone plays every position, so the sets weren't too great, but they weren't awful either.

I was just curious if its normal to get used to a setter like I did at school. I feel like I get spoiled there with his sets, but I'm also nervous because of my inability to hit the less than perfect set effectively. I go back to school in a week, and tournament play starts in 2 weeks for club ball, is there anyway that I can improve on hitting those mis-sets effectively, or is it all about decision making?

mycena · **coupla thoughts -** 01-14-2008, 09:39 AM

As a hitter I don't really pay attention to how the sets get there just where they are... but I'm not the best hitter in the world so maybe it's not a good thing (I'm not too shabby though either). If I know that the sets aren't going to be good or consistent then i tend to wait first to see where it is going before approaching. But you don't end up swinging as hard. Of course it also means that when they are total crap sets then you can still do something with them.

Of course if you have the same setter you get used to them. As a 'setter' I tend to hold onto the ball longer than other setter (apparently). So, one guy I play with always needs more warm up time with me setting so that he can get his approach timed to my sets.

How to fix that... I don't know... my suggestion, play with more people more often. That way you see a lot more setters and become more dynamic of a player. Have you thought about playing on teams and leagues outside of your school?

EGOLDEN · 10:47 AM

You have to do two things.

1. Learn to use a roll shot for those sets that are off the mark. Learn to place those roll shots where the defenders are not. If a set is not good, you are rarely going to make an effective hit. Trying to spike every piece of trash someone is hucking up there is is going to end up in a lot of hits into the net. And no one's going to remember the bad sets, they'll only remember you pelting the ball into the net repeatedly. Swing only at the sets that are good ones, and you will get better results with your kills. You don't always have to hit it hard to score points. I think this is a good method until you begin to learn to adjust your approach to sets of varying skill level. Receiving bad sets from time to time is part of the game, and every hitter needs to learn how to use them as best they can. Giving the defense a free ball is better than giving them a point by hitting into the net.

2. Communicate in a positive way to your setter about the type of sets you are comfortable hitting. The setter should begin to adjust to your stregnths and avoid your weaknesses. Don't berate the setter, good sets will come from good passes.

BHitterDPasser · 01-14-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryant 14

I was just curious if its normal to get used to a setter like I did at school. I feel like I get spoiled there with his sets, but I'm also nervous because of my inability to hit the less than perfect set effectively. I go back to school in a week, and tournament play starts in 2 weeks for club ball, is there anyway that I can improve on hitting those mis-sets effectively, or is it all about decision making?

Sure it's normal. There are setters that I can easily get into a rhythm with and other times I look like a total rookie with. One of my biggest complaints about running a 6-2 is having to get used to two different setters in a single game. Your timing is going to be a little different for each one and that can be the difference between a ball in the net, in the stands or in the court. But, that's what hitting lines are for....

Bryant 14 · 01-14-2008, 12:55 PM

Hey,

Thanks for the replies. I guess I just need to take some time and evaluate the set more before I try to make a kill. I suppose it will just come with time and practice.

Mycena-- I don't often play with people from outside my club team in tournaments, because I don't know anyone else that plays competitively. However, our club team does play in a few Yankee tournaments, and I've been thinking about entering some scrambles (since Bryant hosts a lot anyway), just to get some more experience.

Golden--Thanks for the advice; I do need to learn to use roll shots in a better fashion. I would never yell at a setter for a bad set, that's why I was asking for some suggestions, because I feel like it is my responsibility as a hitter to make even the worst set into something positive for my team, be it a dump/slime or a roll shot to one of the corners.

BHDP-- That's a good point actually, that I never thought about-- hitting lines. In a match I will usually only have to get used to 1 setter, as we run a 5-1, and the hitting lines really get you ready. Maybe I should suggest us doing that for pick up before we play

BHitterDPasser · 01-14-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryant 14

BHDP-- That's a good point actually, that I never thought about-- hitting lines. In a match I will usually only have to get used to 1 setter, as we run a 5-1, and the hitting lines really get you ready. Maybe I should suggest us doing that for pick up before we play

Don't forget to give your setter feedback. That was great. A little higher. The set was perfect, but I was late. Not only do you have to get used to their sets, they have to get used to you as a hitter. One setter I play with often sets a lefty middle. The first few balls I get to swing at often have me bending mid-air into unnatural spinal configurations.

Bryant 14 · 01-14-2008, 07:10 PM

Yeah. More often than not I let my setter at school know when he sets a good ball, and I do occasionally have to ask for it a bit higher. It's not as big of a deal there.

But when I get home and play pick up, I get pretty much a different setter every side out, and eventually I just tell them to throw it up there and I'll get to it, haha.

I guess I just need to learn more about the game as a whole...I've only been playing for 2 and a half years, but I plan on playing for a long time to come.

mycena · 01-15-2008, 10:01 AM

That's exactly what I meant! LOL. A bunch of us play in Yankee tournies up there. So, if you are ever going to play, let us know and maybe we can meet up. There's always a bunch of things listed on the BAVP yahoo group about people needing players. By playing on other teams you will get exposed to other setters! We are running a scramble down here in CT in February... fyi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryant 14

Mycena-- I don't often play with people from outside my club team in tournaments, because I don't know anyone else that plays competitively. However, our club team does play in a few Yankee tournaments, and I've been thinking about entering some scrambles (since Bryant hosts a lot anyway), just to get some more experience.

Bryant 14 · 01-15-2008, 05:15 PM

I'll have to see what my schedule for club looks like, but I'd love to play in some scrambles!

BHitterDPasser · 01-15-2008, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryant 14

I'll have to see what my schedule for club looks like, but I'd love to play in some scrambles!

That will surely test your ability to adjust to a setter when you get ole po'k chop hands throwing the ball up for you.