SportStars Magazine

Lindsey Berg Volleyball Tips for Setters

Olympian Volleyball player Lindsey Berg espouses one thing that she thinks all might agree on in the volleyball world. That there is a big possibility that aĀ  shorter/smaller setter will make faster moves to the ball. But that wouldn’t be a good enough reason to choose a shorter setter over a taller setter because efficient footwork and reading can be taught to setters of all sizes.

SETTINGĀ TOUCH

Hi all, Lindsey Berg here again! In my last volleyball tips for setters blog postĀ we discussed volleyball footwork and how proper footwork can assuage a number of passing errors.

Today I want to help you get a feel for the ball. You see, your ability to have a good feel for the ball is a veryĀ important part of delivering what your hitters need.

A good feel helps you put up solid, hittable ballsĀ anywhere on the court, anytime – including on thoseĀ plays when your feet aren’t quite in the right positionĀ or your body is a little out of control. A good feel also helps you vary your tempo, setting faster or slower asĀ the situation requires.

The way I developed ā€œfeelā€ was mostly fromĀ holding the ball any chance I got. I’d squeeze it, moveĀ my hands around it. I had it with me during timeoutsĀ and water breaks and warmups. The idea was toĀ continually reinforce the proper hand-positioningĀ and a comfortable feel.

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Volleyball Tip for Setters- Setting with ā€œclawsā€ leads to less accurate sets

Inexperienced settersĀ often don’t have this feel. IĀ see a lot of young athletesĀ setting with their claws – too far underneath the ball,Ā thumbs forward.

Lindsey Berg tips for volleyball setters. Follow through with a Superman flying motion.

Follow through with a Superman flying motion.

One really important key to setting touch is understanding that your thumbs and wrists need to be back. That’s one reasonĀ why I teach the ā€œWā€ hand formation for settingĀ instead of the more traditional ā€œTriangle.ā€ I think itĀ gives you more control. When you bring your handsĀ all the way back in a ā€œW,ā€ the top of your thumbs willĀ hit your head. In a ā€œTriangle,ā€Ā your thumbs go forward,Ā which can cause your handsĀ to turn and send the ball in aĀ different direction than youĀ want.

The W-shaped hand position is just a personal preference. A lot of very good setters and coaches favor the ā€œTriangle.ā€ It’s important for you to experiment and figure out what works bestĀ for you. I would recommend the ā€œW,ā€ but whicheverĀ you choose, you need to remember this:

Do NOT follow through with your thumbs! YourĀ follow-through should be like a Superman flyingĀ motion, finger tips forward.

GETTING BUY-IN FROM YOUR COACH

The ā€œWā€ is the way I do it. That doesn’t mean it’sĀ the only right way to do it, but it works best for me,Ā and I think you should try it – even if your coach hasĀ taught you the more common ā€œtriangleā€ technique.Ā You can practice it on your own time and eventuallyĀ decide which way you prefer.

If you’d like to discuss it with your coach, you canĀ say something like: ā€œI read Lindsey Berg’s book onĀ setting, and she thinks the ā€˜W’ is the most consistentĀ way to put up a good ball. She teaches it to youngerĀ players. What do you think?ā€

By involving your coach, you make it more of aĀ team effort, which will likely make the coach moreĀ receptive to your ideas. Some coaches may not knowĀ who I am, but by bringing it up, you give them anĀ opportunity to examine a different approach toĀ setting. Good coaches will view this as an opportunityĀ to expand their knowledge, not a criticism.

Next post, lets tackle the technique for the “W” hand formation. Sound good?

Hey Volleyball Players! Got a question that I can help you with? As in the comments field below any of my SportStars blog posts.

Lindsey Berg founder of "THE CUORE PROJECT". An all-digital programming network featuring films, editorials, and podcasts with the mission to share stories and information to educate and inspire the next generation of female volleyball athletes.

Lindsey Berg founder of “THE CUORE PROJECT”. An all-digital programming network featuring films, editorials, and podcasts with the mission to share stories and information to educate and inspire the next generation of female volleyball athletes.

 

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