Hitting Quicks: Don't Over Run the Setter

One of the things hitters often struggle with while running quick sets is overrunning the setter, meaning they go past the setter and make it nearly impossible for them to get a good set. If you would have to turn your head and look over your shoulder to see the setter from where you’re jumping, you’ve overrun. When you go past the setter like this s/he can’t push the ball into your hand because it’s too far in front of him/her; it would have to travel over your head to get into the right position, which would be impossible at the fast tempo required for a quick set.

Avoiding this Hitter’s Dilemma

This problem usually comes up when the setter must take a step or two off the net due to a less than perfect pass. The hitter’s instinct is to approach to the exact same point as always and not to adjust to the new position of the setter.

Instead, approach to your setter, keeping your shoulders open toward him/her even as you jump. This will allow you to see the ball as it both enters and leaves the setter’s hands, and it will give you the option to turn the ball either to the left or right as needed.

Also try to time your jump so that you’re going up as you attack rather than down. This not only speeds up the attack, it also gives you a little more time to adjust to the set if it’s not ideal.

Finally, be vocal when executing the quick set. It helps your setter visualize you as a target, and it can also convince the opposing middle blocker to choose to stay with you rather than attempt to block one of the outside hitters, giving them a better chance of getting a kill.

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