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The setter is the most important volleyball position on the team. The setter is the team leader that is involved in every play. Crowds don’t typically notice the setter, but they are the primary reason a hitter can spike a ball to the floor. How well your team plays usually depends on how well your setter plays.

1. Make your teammates feel comfortable. Learn how to communicate positively with your teammates. You should never be the most silent player in the gym.
2. Be the hardest worker. If the coach asks for a volunteer, do it. Anytime there’s an opportunity to get more repetitions in, take advantage of the situation. The setter needs to have good all-around playing skills, so help out with drills anytime your team needs help. As a setter, the better developed your skills are, the more your team will look up to you.
3. Know how your hitters like to be set. It’s very important to develop a good relationship with your hitters. You need to know what motivates them. As a setter, you need to be mentally strong and able to accept criticism from them. Let them know you want to receive feedback from them.
4. Keep your hands high. You need your hands to always be high every time you set because you want the volleyball block on the other side of the net to have a hard time reading you. If your technique is consistent, you’ll be much harder to anticipate.
5. Make your teammates better. If you have a strong relationship with your teammates, then it will be easier to make them better. The setter is “the coach on the floor.” Learn how to communicate with your teammates and get the most out of their ability.
6. Keep your setting technique consistent. A consistent body position and hand position will help keep you deceptive. For instance, if you arch your back too much, blockers can tell you will set back. If you take the ball too far out in front, they’ll know you’re pushing the ball outside.
7. Be comfortable communicating with your coach. Always respect your volleyball coach and ask them questions. Voice your opinions and share your ideas. Just be sure to talk. The more you talk, the more comfortable you’ll be.
8. Constantly work on technique. You can never work on your hands too much. Practice setting a volleyball a lot especially if you’re a beginner. You want to get to the point where you don’t have to think about technique anymore. You want to just be able to playing and not think about technique.
9. Work on your quickness. You can practice your footwork anytime and anywhere. Setting is all about rhythm. Quick feet drills will help improve your coordination and rhythm.
10. Play as often as you can. Even if you’re not setting, just playing volleyball will improve your knowledge of the game. The better your all-around skills, the more confidence you’ll have and the more respect you’ll have from teammates.