Types of sets
There is no absolute standard for naming sets, so there can be several different names for any one type of set.
- A : A back row set aimed at the left side quarter of the court [A|B||C|D]. Also could be a quick set to the middle, or a back-one
- B : A back row set aimed to the left side middle quarter of the court [A|B||C|D]
- Back-Two: A ball set relatively high and to the middle or to the right side hitter, directly behind the setter
- Back-One: A ball set relatively low (or quick) to the middle hitter or to the right side hitter, directly behind the setter
- Bick : Similar to the "Pipe", but set very low (the name comes from Back quick)
- C : A back row set aimed to the right side middle quarter of the court [A|B||C|D]
- Chaos: An offense in which the middle runs a one, the outside comes for a two off the middle's shoulder, and the weak side runs around the back to hit an outside 3
- Cross (X) : A play in which the middle hitter jumps for a one, and the weak-side hitter, having moved to the middle of the court, takes an approach for a two at the same location
- D : A back row set aimed at the right side quarter of the court [A|B||C|D]
- Fade or pop: A play in which the middle hitter approaches to a hit a one ball, but instead of jumping straight up, they jump to their left. This is used to get around the opponent's block, who expects the attacker to jump normally for the one ball
- Five : Same as a four set, but to the weak side or opposite hitter. Also, a middle set higher than a two
- Four or Back or Eleven : A high set to the strong side or outside hitter
- Go : A set to the outside hitter, higher than a shoot but lower and faster than a hut
- Hut or Loop : A lower set to the outsider hitter. Higher than a shoot
- Jones : A variation of "Chaos" where the middle runs a one, the outside comes for a "back 2," and the weakside comes around to hit an "outside 3." The setter may choose to set the ball to any of the three hitting options. This play is designed so that the setter is able to accommodate the set according to where the block is positioned
- Middle-finger Ball : When the libero takes an approach and jumps as if to hit a one ball, making as much noise as possible to distract the other team. This will hopefully cause blockers to jump with the libero, despite there being no threat of attack. Usually used by a team winning by a significant margin
- One or Quick or Fifty-One : A type of middle hit when the middle jumps before the setter sets, with the ball being set directly to the middle hitter's hand
- Pipe : A back row set aimed at the middle of the court between a B and a C-ball [A|B|^|C|D]
- Pump-one: A play in which the middle hitter approaches to hit a one ball, but pauses at the last minute before the jump. The setter sets the ball slightly higher to account for the delay in approach. This is used to try and get the opponent middle miss time their block. Ideally, the opponent blocker would "bite" with the one ball and jump before the hitter jumps. If done well, this gives the attacking middle an attack with no blocker
- Pump-fade: A combination of a "pump-one" and a "fade". The attacking middle hitter pretends to jump for a one ball, but pauses, then hits a slightly higher ball off their left shoulder
- Shaft : A deep pipe set, generally set high
- Shocker: An attack in which the middle runs a one, the opposite comes for a two off the middle's shoulder, and the outside runs or slides around to hit a back-two
- Shoot : A variation on the quick set except instead of setting the ball to the middle the ball is set to the outside hitter
- Slide: A variation on the "back-one" where the ball is pushed all the way out to the antenna for the right-side attacker.
- Step or Slide : An attack where the hitter fakes a quick-set (one) approach with their first step and subsequently chases the ball behind the setter and parallel to the net, jumps off one foot, and hits the ball close to the antenna on the weak side
- Tandem, Stack,or Piggy-back : Similar to the "cross" but the outside hitter hits the two ball
- Ten : A ball set for a back row attack
- Three or Thirty-Three : A quick lower set to the outside
- Thirty-Two: An attack where the hitter fakes a quick-set (one) approach with their first step and subsequently chases the ball in front of the setter and parallel to the net, jumps off one foot, and hits the ball in the outside 3 position. Generally used as adapted version of the Slide for left-handed hitters
- Two or Meter : A ball set to the middle hitter at approximately two feet above the top of the net. Also, a "back two" is the same set set behind the setter
- Thirty-One or Inside Shoot : A play in which the middle hitter runs a one ball about halfway in between the middle and outside
- Thirty Stack : A play in which the middle hitter runs a thirty-one and the outside hitter runs a thirty-two
While there is no absolute standard, the most common set naming system is a two number system where the first number corresponds to a zone on the net, and the second number corresponds to the height of the set at its apex above the top of the net in feet. Zones are named 1 through 9 from left to right along the net with the setter occupying Zone 6; and the most common set heights are 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 (represented by a 0 in the notation). For example, a 10 set is a high ball to the left side, a 53 is a 3 foot high set to the middle of the court (in front of the setter), and a 61 is a 1 foot high set right behind the setter.
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