Setting to Targets (Front and Back)

A coach tosses to the setter’s spot and the setter sets to a target at the left antenna, then to the right. Teaches the setter to face one way and set both directions.

Focus

Setting location: front and back sets

Level

Intermediate

Players

3 (coach, setter, target)

Equipment

6–10 balls, a net

Time

10 min

View facing the net: the setter sets high to the left antenna; the faint arc shows the back set to the right.

📍 Setup

The setter stands at the target spot (right of centre, about 1 m off the net). A target player or a hoop sits at the left antenna; another at the right antenna.

🪜 How to run it

1. The coach tosses from the back court to the setter’s spot.
2. The setter gets there early, faces the left antenna and sets high to the left target.
3. Next toss: the setter keeps the same body position and back-sets to the right target.
4. Alternate front and back sets, and mix them up so the setter cannot guess.
5. Rotate setters every 10 balls.

🏆 Scoring

Two points for a set the target catches without moving, one point for a set within one step. Play to 20.

🧑‍🏫 Coaching this drill

What success looks like

Front and back sets look identical until the ball is released, and both come down about 1 m off the net.

Coaching cues

Common mistakes

• Turning to face the back-set target. Fix: Keep the hips square to the left antenna for every set — only the arms change.
• Sets drifting into the net. Fix: Start with the ball a little in front of the forehead and finish the set slightly away from the net.

When to move on

When 7 of 10 sets in each direction land within a step, have a hitter attack the sets.