Out-of-System Bump Sets
A non-setter turns a bad pass into a hittable ball with a high forearm set to the outside. A game-saving skill most teams don’t practise enough.
- Focus
- Bump setting from the back court
- Level
- Intermediate
- Players
- 3–4
- Equipment
- 6–10 balls, a net
- Time
- 8–10 min
Side view
Side view: a back-court player bump-sets a high ball up to the hitter at the net.
📍 Setup
The player starts in the back court (zone 6). A hitter or target waits at the left antenna.
🪜 How to run it
- The coach tosses a low, messy ball to the middle of the back court.
- The player calls “help!”, moves under it and turns to face the left antenna.
- Using a forearm set, the player sends a high ball to land about 1–2 m off the net at the antenna.
- The hitter attacks (or catches) the set.
- Switch sides: set to the right antenna as well.
🏆 Scoring
One point for every set the hitter can attack with a full swing. Play to 10.
🧑🏫 Coaching this drill
What success looks like
A high, slow set well off the net — easy for the hitter to time.
Coaching cues
“Face the target”“High and off the net”“Lift with the legs, short arm swing”
Common mistakes
- Setting too tight to the net. Fix: Aim for 2 m off the net. A ball off the net is still hittable; a ball in the net is not.
- Low, flat sets. Fix: Get under the ball and lift up, not forward. Height buys the hitter time.
➖ Make it easier
Tosses come straight to the player, and they catch-and-throw with a platform first.
➕ Make it harder
Tosses go deep, wide or short so the player must move a long way first.
When to move on
When 7 of 10 sets are hittable, add a block for the hitter.