Five Keys to Better Beach Setting
By Karolyn Kirby
Setting on the beach is a difficult skill. Not only do you have to do all
the things indoor setters do - get to the ball, handle it correctly and make a
good set - you also have to deal with the wind, the sun and the sand. But
there are a few things you can do to make it easier on yourself. Some of these
fine-tuning techniques might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how often
people forget them.
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Watch the passer |
1. Watch the Passer
This is the first step to any set, and it's absolutely critical. It's also
something that's very easy to overlook. On the beach, the ball moves so fast
that one step in the wrong direction can kill your chances of giving your
partner a good set. By watching your partner receive the serve, you can get an
early idea of where the pass will go. If she looks like she's in a good
balanced position and the serve is right to her, you can expect a good pass.
If she's having trouble, you'll need to be ready to chase the ball. Either
way, you'll get an idea of where to go. The bottom line: Watching the passer
eliminates taking steps in the wrong direction.
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Get there and get balanced |
2. Get There and Get Balanced
Obviously, you need to move to the ball to set. On the beach, it's rare
that a pass will come right to you, so you'll need to intercept it at the net.
Most people understand this. But all too frequently, a player will get to the
ball and still not be able to set it well. Why? Often it's because she's off
balance. If your body isn't centered, and shoulders aren't square to your
target, it's easy for the ball to drift on or off the net or for you to
mishandle it. You need your center of gravity to be stable because you are
trying to control a moving object. If you're moving at the same time the ball
is moving, you've got a recipe for disaster. You need a stable base with your
feet apart for a good set.
Another hint that often helps: if you're a right-side player setting right
to left, keep your right foot forward. Reverse this on the other side of the
court. Keeping the foot that is nearest to the net forward helps keep the ball
from drifting too tight to the net because it helps square your hips and
shoulders to the court.
3. Use Your Legs
Again, this is something most of us learned when we were taught how to set,
but it's easy to forget to do - especially on the beach where your footing is
uneven. Remember, setting isn't just necessarily an arm motion; it's
propelling your body through the ball. Setting begins with your legs and then
moves through your hands. Flex your legs as you receive the ball, then
straighten them up as you release it. This helps give power and distance to a
high set and also serves as a cushion and shock absorber for a lower set.
4. Use Your Head
Your forehead is the ideal location for you to hold your hands when
setting. Your hands should be centered directly above the middle of your
forehead as you look up to set. If the ball were to slide through your hands,
it should hit you square on the forehead, not on your nose or the top of your
head. This hand position is important because you want to begin with your
setting platform close to your forehead so you have space to follow through
with your arms. This gives you both power and a true trajectory. If your hands
aren't in the right spot, you lose power and leverage. Also, holding your
hands here gives you a stable, centered hand position - very important for a
skill that often gets called by referees.
5. Follow Through
When you set, you want the ball to travel up and down as much as possible,
not shoot out toward your partner. Therefore, you need a preconceived target
of where on the net you want to set. Don't just throw the ball up. As you set,
follow through with your hands, wrists and arms to this target point, then
bring your hands straight back down to your forehead. This controlled
follow-through ensures that the ball will travel in a straight line. Throwing
up your arms doesn't. Following through and returning your hands to their
starting position creates a true trajectory.
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