Positions & roles
Setter
A volleyball position that takes the team's second touch to set the ball up for an attacker.
Positions & roles
Definition
In volleyball, the setter is the player who usually takes the second of a team's three touches and delivers an accurate set for a team-mate to attack. Often compared to a playmaker, the setter decides which attacker to feed and how to disguise the play from the opposing block.
Good setting relies on soft, controlled hands, quick footwork to reach the ball and clear decision-making under pressure. Because they touch the ball so often, setters are central to how a team builds and varies its attack.
Where you’ll hear “setter”
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Rules
- Volleyball rotationThe rule that players rotate one position clockwise each time their team wins back the serve.
- Three-hit ruleThe volleyball rule that a team may contact the ball at most three times before it must cross the net.
- Ball-handling faultsVolleyball faults for catching, carrying or double-contacting the ball rather than cleanly hitting it.
- OffsideA rule that prevents an attacker from gaining an advantage by being positioned too close to the opponents' goal ahead of the ball and the last defenders.
- TravelingA basketball violation for moving illegally with the ball without dribbling it.
Skills
- SpikingThe volleyball skill of jumping and striking the ball forcefully down into the opponent’s court.
- DiggingThe volleyball skill of controlling a hard-driven ball low to keep it in play.
- SettingThe volleyball skill of accurately placing the ball for a teammate to attack.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- Ball controlThe skill of receiving and settling the ball quickly so it is ready to use.
Techniques
- Volleyball SetAn overhead pass using the fingertips of both hands to place the ball accurately for a teammate to attack.
- Volleyball DigA defensive contact that keeps a hard-driven ball in play by passing it up off the forearms, usually from a low position.
- Sprint StartThe explosive start of a sprint from a set, crouched position, driving forward low before gradually rising to full stride.
Tactics
- Court coverage and rotationVolleyball positioning where players rotate through positions and cover the court as one coordinated unit.
- Serve-receive formationHow a volleyball team arranges its passers to receive the serve and set up a clean first attack.
- High pressA football tactic where a team hunts the ball high up the pitch to win it back close to the opponent’s goal.
- Set-piece playRehearsed routines from a dead-ball situation such as a corner, free kick or throw-in used to create chances.
- Negative splitA pacing tactic where an athlete covers the second half of a race faster than the first.
Positions
- SetterThe setter is volleyball’s playmaker, taking the team’s second contact and delivering accurate sets for hitters to attack.
- OppositeThe opposite is a volleyball attacker who plays on the right side of the net, opposite the setter in the rotation, and is often a key scorer.
- Middle blockerThe middle blocker plays in the centre of the net, leading the team’s blocking and attacking with fast, quick sets.
- Fly-halfThe fly-half is rugby’s chief decision-maker and tactical kicker, directing the backline and controlling how the team attacks.
- CenterThe center is usually the tallest player on a basketball team, playing near the basket to score inside, rebound, and protect the rim.
Facilities
- Volleyball courtA rectangular court split by a high net over which two teams rally the ball, played indoors or on sand.
- Sports hallA large indoor hall with multi-sport line markings, used for court sports like basketball, volleyball and badminton.
- Padel courtAn enclosed court, much smaller than a tennis court, walled with glass and mesh so the ball can be played off the walls.