PowerTips

May 6, 2010

Official Drill Bulletin of the American Volleyball Coaches Association | Volume No. 21, Issue No. 6 Photo courtesy of FI VB Statistics for Setters by Stephanie Schleuder, (Retired) Head Coach, Macalester College often-overlooked factor allowing the continued For this reason, assists have become more of a media sophistication of offensive strategy is the statistic for setters rather than a true evaluation of the Animprovement in the skill level of setters. It setter's ability. Still, there is a high correlation with the is difficult to run any type of potent offensive system assists per game of the team's setter with the hitting without a setter who understands the nuances of the efficiency of their team. The nation's leading setters game. In order for the hitters to be successful, the setter usually come with higher assists averages and play for must deliver a good set into an area where the hitter has a teams with a powerful offense. chance to be effective. Defining an Assist The statistic that has been used to track the effectiveness The assist category is found on the official box score. of the setters is assists. An assist is awarded to the Currently, most sports governing bodies (NCAA, NAIA, setter when a ball is directed to the hitter who scores a NJCAA, etc.) tabulate setter assists as one of the tools in kill. Obviously, the ability of the setter to gain an assist is the evaluation process for recognizing outstanding setters. directly related to the team's passing skills and the ability Some governing bodies also require schools to tabulate of the hitters to "put the ball away" or score a kill. the number of setting attempts made by players so that an

education. recognition. innovation. www.avca.org The assist efficiency gives the coach some indication of the quality and percentage of the sets assist percentage/efficiency can be calculated. However,that end in kills.Set SomeSelection coaches Chart compute the efficiency without subtracting the setter errors. the official box score does not have a column for reporting It is important for coaches to be able to gather setting assist attempts. Compute thetendencies assist statistics by rotationwith the following to truly foevaluatermulas: the team offense. The Set Selection Chart allows the coach to gather just this There are three possible outcomes for a ball that is beingComputing set: type assist of average: information. It also shows the opponents rotations Total number of assists (A) / total games played (GP) = assists per game (A/G) so the coach knows which blockers are faced in each • an assist (A), is awarded to any player who passes,Computingrotation. assist efficiency: sets or digs the ball to a teammate resulting in anTotal number of assists – total errors (BHE & AE) / total number of setting attempts = assist attack for a kill. (The guidelines for awarding an assistefficiency The chart has an area to record the quality of the pass the in volleyball are much the same as those used in setter received, the type of set they select, which player awarding an assist in basketball.) receives the set, how good the set was, and the result of Set Selectionthe Chart attack. Since the sets are kept in chronological order It is important for coaches to be able to gather setting tendencies by rotation to truly evaluate the • an assist error (AE) or ball handling error (BHE) is and by rotation, the coach can also note changes in tactics team offense.by Thethe Set setter. Selection Chart allows the coach to gather just this type of information. It given to a player for any attempted set resulting alsoin an shows the opponents rotations so the coach knows which blockers are faced in each illegal action called by the official. (i.e., double contact,rotation. Before the game starts, the statistician should complete the lift) The chart hasrotation an area wheels to record with the qualitythe rotation of the pass order the for setter both received, teams. the E achtype of set they select, whichtime player the receives rotation the changes, set, how good the statisticianthe set was, andwill themove result to of the the attack. Since • a zero assist (o) is given to any player who setsthe sets areproper kept in chronologicalrotation to record order and the by information rotation, the coachabout caneach also set. note changes in a ball that does not directly lead to a kill or a side-tactics by the setter. out. Documentation of a zero assist on the worksheet A detailed description of the types of set (terminology) is only required if the statistician is calculating assistBefore the gameused starts,in the the offense statistician should should be com givenplete to the the rotation statistician. wheels withThe the rotation order percentage. for both teams.statistician Each time must the rotation use their changes, judgment the statistician about the will executionmove to the of proper rotation to record the informationthe set (how about good each was set. the set placement).

Assists per Game and Assist Efficiency A detailed descriptionThis chart of can the typesbe kept of set on (termino the benchlogy) byused a substitutein the offense setter. should be given to the These statistics give an average for the number of assistsstatistician. The statistician must use their judgment about the execution of the set (how good In situations where it becomes necessary for the coach to awarded to a player in each game and a statistic for assistwas the set placement). insert a substitute setter into the middle of a game, this (setting) efficiency. Assists are tallied on the AVCA or This chart canchart be keptshould on thearm bench the substituteby a substitute with setter. good In situationsinformation where about it becomes NCAA Worksheet or another appropriate form. necessary forspecific the coach rotations. to insert I at substituteis much bettersetter into than the having middle ofa clueless,a game, this chart should arm the substitutedaydreaming with good setter information go into about a critical specific situation! rotations. It is much better than having a The assists per game may be calculated for any player,clueless, but daydreaming setter go into a critical situation! its significance is most directly related to setters. There The diagram below shows an abbreviated set selection may be times when the coach is also interested in theThe diagram below shows an abbreviated set selection chart. The complete notation for the first set is: chart. The complete notation for the first set is: assist per game for the right side player (alternate setter/ opposite) in a 5-1 offense. number of the player the set was judged "good" receiving the set The assist efficiency gives the coach some indication of the quality and percentage of the sets that end in kills. order of sets 1. 3 52/10/+ K attackresulted resulted in a killin a kill Some coaches compute the efficiency without subtracting the setter errors. the set went to area 5 along the net Compute the assist statistics with the following formulas: and was a 2nd tempo set the pass was rated a "3" Computing assist average: Total number of assists (A) / total games played (GP) = assists per game (A/G) In the following figure, the first set in rotation 1 comes after a pass which was rated a "3". Under the set selection area, Computing assist efficiency: the notation means that the set was a "52" (to area 5 and Total number of assists – total errors (BHE & AE) / total second tempo), the set was made to player #10, and it was number of setting attempts = assist efficiency judged to be a good set based on the location and height. The result of the first set is a kill for the hitter.

Volleyball ACETM Power Tips • May 6, 2010 • Volume 21, Issue No. 6 Editor: Leah Brock • [email protected] avca Grass Roots (Club) Rep., John Sample • 817.545.4551 Sales: Toby Bishop • [email protected] • 859-219-3560 email: [email protected] Volleyball ACETM • 877.223.8225 • email: [email protected] avca Grass Roots (HS) Rep., Jodi Manore • 734.850.6269 avca Headquarters • 866.544.2822 • email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Call for Drills and Articles: To submit a drill or article for consideration for Volleyball Ace Power Tips, please send them to one of the following: Email: [email protected] • Fax: 859-226-4338 • Address: 2365 Harrodsburg Rd., Suite A325, Lexington, Ky. 40504.

Volleyball Ace Power Tips In the following figure, the first set in rotation 1 comes after a pass which was rated a "3". Under the set selection area, the notation means that the set was a "52" (to area 5 and second tempo), the set was made to player #10, and it was judged to be a good set based on the location and height. TheIn resultthe following of the figure, first set the isfirst a setkill infor rotation the hitter. 1 comes after a pass which was rated a "3". Under the set selection area, the notation means that the set was a "52" (to area 5 and second tempo), The fourththe set set comes was made after to a player pass #10, rated and a it"1" was and judged is delivered to be a good as seta good based (+), on thehigh location backset and (95) to player #10.height. The Thehitter result scores of the a firstkill offset isthe a killblocke for thers hitter.hands (K/B). The fourth set comes after a pass rated a "1" and is delivered as a good (+), high backset (95) to player #10. The hitter The fifth setThe in fourth this rotationset comes comes after a frompass rateda "2" a pas "1" s.and It iiss delivered a shoot asset a (31--quickgood (+), high set backset to area (95) three), to scores a kill off the blockersplayer #10.hands The (K/B). hitter scores a kill off the blockers hands (K/B). but is judged by the statistician to be a poor set, resulting in a blocked attack and a net error by The fifth set thein this hitter. rotation The fifth comes set in this from rotation a "2" comes pass. from It is a "2"shoot pass. set It is (31--quick a shoot set set(31--quick to area set three), to area three),but is judged by the statistician to be a poorbut set, is judged resulting by the in statistician a blocked to attackbe a poor and set, a resultingnet error in bya blocked the hitter. attack and a net error by The eighththe setting hitter. attempt is a ball handling error (BHE) by the setter from a "2" pass. The eighth setting attempt is a ball handling error (BHE) by the setter from a "2" pass. AbbreviatedThe Seteighth Selection setting attempt Chart* is a ball handling error (BHE) by the setter from a "2" pass. Abbreviated Set Selection Chart* Abbreviated Set Selection Chart* Pass Set THEM Rating Selection Result Notes 12 Pass Set THEM Rating Selection Result Notes 6 1 12 3 K 111 5 1. 11. 21. 52/10/+ 6 1 3 K 2 11 1. 11. 21. 52/10/+ 3 4 1 5 2. 2 12. 22. 93/10/o 0 2 8 2 4 2. 2 12. 22. 93/10/o 0 5 2 3 8 3. 3 13. 23. 51/3/+ K 5 3. 3 13. 23. 51/3/+ K 4. 1 14. 1 24. 95/10/+95/10/+ K/B US US 4. 14. 24. 3 3 5. 2 15.5. 2 15.25. 25. 31/3/-31/3/- B/NE 10 3 910 3 9 6. 3 16.6. 3 16.26. 26. 51/3/+51/3/+ 0 4 2 4 2 5 1 2 92/10/o 0 5 1 6 2 7. 17. 27. 92/10/o 0 6 7 6 7. 17. 27. 7 6 8. 2 18. 28. BHE --- 4 8. 2 18. 28. BHE --- 4 9. 3 19. 29. 52/10/+ E 3 29. 52/10/+ E Rotation 19. 19. 20. 30. Rotation 1 10. 10. 20. 30. Key Key Pass Ratings: Set Selection: Result: Pass Ratings:3 = all options Set Selection:type/player # /rating Result:K = kill (perfect pass) E = error 3 = all options type/playertype = area # /rating & tempo K = kill 2 = two options- (i.e., 31, 52) 0 = dug (perfect pass) E = error no middle attack type rating= area : & + =tempo good B = blocked/error 0BHE = dug = ball handling 2 = two 1options- = one option (i.e., 31,0 = average52) B = blocked/errorerror no middle0 = error/RE attack rating : + =- good = poor NE = net error 1 = one option X(#) = non-setter BHE = ball handling Example: 72/3/+ 0 = average CE = centerline (player number) errorerror 0 = error/RE - = poor NE = net error X(#) = non-setter There are other methodsExample: of 72/3/+ charting set selection, but the importantCE aspect = centerline is for the both the There are other methods of charting set selection, but (playerthe important number) aspect is for errorthe both the coach and the player to have as much information coach and as thepossible player toabout have asthe much effectiveness information as of possible the setting about strategy.the effectiveness This method of the gives specific setting strategy. This method gives specific information as the match progresses. information as the match progresses. There are other methods of charting set selection, but the important aspect is for the both the coach and the player to have as much information as possible about the effectiveness of the setting strategy. This method gives specific information as the match progresses.

May 6, 2010 Drills

Hawaii Defend-and-Set Explanation: From Aggressive Volleyball*, by Pete Waite • Two coaches on boxes at the right and left front D positions alternate hits to three defenders who dig Purpose: To assess ball handling and improve to one setter. Coaches hit both balls to the same D 2 D defensive and setting consistency. This is a great player. The setter sets each ball to one of the two 1 drill because players need back-to-back digs and targets located at the right and left front attacking sets. Nonsetters are put in the setter role to positions. A small point is scored by making a dig 3 improve their skills. and set to either of the targets. Players need 2 small points in a row to score a big point. After T S T Goal: To score 5 big points by earning 5 big points, new players rotate in, using three consecutive points with high-quality plays. defenders and a middle blocker to set. CO HA CO Equipment Needed: Balls; coaching boxes. • Use nonsetters in the role of the setter to improve their setting skills.

• Challenge the players with off-speed shots that make them run down balls with control. Halfway through, remove the setter and have one of the defenders bump-set the ball to the outside.

Setter Pressure Isolated setter completes the drill with 16 successful From Volleyball Drills for Champions*, Mary Wise, attacks. Editor Key Points: Purpose: To teach setters to make correct 1. Maintain composure regardless of the length of choices under a “pressure” situation. the drill or the origin of an error. 2. Continue to focus on execution and Procedure: communication throughout the drill. 1. The setter assumes the passing target location. 2. All hitters create a numerical attack order Variations: known to the setter. Hitters are responsible for 1. To increase difficulty: remembering who they follow in the order. The • faster pacing by the coach. order is constant. • raise the successful execution standard. S 3. The hitters scatter to different approach • require a time standard for completing the drill. position bases and may alter those positions as • specify a court area that the hitters must attack H H H the drill progresses. into for a successful contact. H H H 4. The coach tosses a series of passes as each 2. To decrease difficulty: H H hitter approaches while calling to the setter the • slower pacing by the coach. desired set. There are three hitters approaching • lower the successful execution standard. C at all times. Only the hitter whose turn it is • rehearse only one type of set with all hitters should be set. originating from the same base point. 5. The setter delivers an accurate set to each hitter. Equipment Needed: 6. A successful attack is a hard-hit shot passing Full court with net and antennae completely over the net and in bounds. The About 20 balls

*Aggressive Volleyball and Complete Conditioning for Volleyball can be purchased from the AVCA Product Store, along with many other titles from established coaches. Visit the AVCA Product Store today! http://www.avca.org/product-store/

Calendar of Events

May 6-8 AVCA Spring Conference Palo Alto, Calif. June 16-23 AAU Girls' Junior National Championship Orlando, Fla. June 24- July 3 USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championship Reno, Nev.. June 28- July 3 Volleyball Festival Phoenix, Ariz.