Setting Up the Attack

1Warm up first

Jog around the court, then side-step along the net line and back. Do arm circles, wrist rolls and finger shakes. With a partner, make 10 overhead passes and 10 forearm passes, the skills you learned in P4.

2Every touch has a job

A team may touch the ball up to three times, and one player may not touch it twice in a row. A team that uses all three touches gets a much better attack:

1. First touch, the pass: bump the ball up to the setter's target near the net. Do not send it over the net.
2. Second touch, the set: the setter places the ball high, where a hitter can attack it.
3. Third touch, the attack: the hitter sends the ball down into an empty space in the other team's court.

3The setter: the team's playmaker

The setter runs the team's attack. The setter usually takes the second touch and decides which player will attack. So the setter must be quick, clever and good at reading the game.

• Where the setter waits: close to the net, a little to the right of the middle, facing the left side of the court.
• A good set goes higher than the net and comes down a little away from it, so the hitter can hit it without touching the net.
• Front set and back set: a front set goes the way the setter is facing, to the left side. A back set goes behind the setter's head, to the right side.
• After a bad first pass, the setter usually sends a high, safe set to the outside hitter on the left, the player who gets the most sets.

4Setting reminders

Use the overhead pass from P4: get under the ball early, make a window with your hands above your forehead, touch with your finger pads and spring up with arms and legs together. Both hands must touch the ball at the same time. If one hand is late, the referee can call a double hit, and the other team wins the point.

5The setter's surprise: the dump

Sometimes the setter does not set at all, and taps the ball over the net on the second touch into an empty space. This is called a dump. It is only allowed when the setter is in the front row. Used now and then, it keeps the other team guessing.

6Drills with little equipment

• Pass, set, catch: work in threes. A throws the ball over the net or rope, B bumps it to C at the setter's target, and C sets it back to A, who catches it. Swap jobs after 5 goes.
• Set to the basket: a partner stands where the hitter would be, holding a basket or a bucket above their head. How many sets can you drop into it?
• Setter's choice: a setter stands at the target with a hitter on the left and a hitter on the right. The teacher tosses the ball to the setter, who chooses a side and calls it out: "Left!" or "Right!"

7Small-sided game: three-touch volleyball

Play 3 against 3 over a low net or a rope. A rally that your team wins after using all three touches (bump, set, hit) scores 2 points. A rally won any other way scores 1 point.

8Cool down

Walk slowly. Stretch your arms above your head, pull each arm gently across your chest, and bend your fingers back softly with the other hand. Drink water.

Try it yourself

Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.