DaddyMac/ornyactor, Does the 3 and 4 in 3 set and 4 set signify the position of the player?? And does a 31 mean the 3 player passes to the 1 player?? Please post more info like this because it's fascinating to those of us like me who don't know much about the sport but want to learn more. Great discussion!!
No Wes, they are set calls for attackers.
1 is a quick hit, typically out of the middle (back 1 would be signaled with a pinky and set behind the setter). On this set the attacker is already in the air as the setter sets the ball. Bang bang play.
2 is usually a middle attack too, but a higher set, maybe 3-4 feet up, depending on the hitter.
Tandem or combo play is most often a 1 fake followed by a 2 set to an outside hitting beind the middle. If the blockers start keying on the 2, the setter can set the 1 and catch the block flat-footed
31 is a quick hit, much like a 1, but further to the outside. I don't see us running it often, but saw it quite a bit from Texas. Often signaled with a index and thump extented, or a trigger motion with the index. My favorite btw. Loved running these.
4 is what our outsides will hit. The more lofted set to the outside (either front or back) Sometimes called a "reg/regular", depending on the team. Other teams will call a "reg" more of a sky ball. I don't think ours are that. 4 is four finders, reg is a fist.
Keep and eye on the setter and you can see what the various hitters are going to be swinging. Some teams have the hitters call their own as well. Of course, like baseball, to each their own as far as signals go - but these are pretty much the standards.
I'm sure team have other calls - but these are the bread and butter of most offenses.
As for positions - each team I ever played on (coach) had their own way. Usuaall there aren't many "positions" that mean anything. You have two middles, two outsides, 1 right or "opposite" and the setter. Opposite is almost always opposite the setter in the rotation. The middles are opposite each other, as are the outsides. Depending on the team, this can be altered any number of ways. But again, this is pretty typical. Only positions you might hear are for middles (M1 & M2), and outsides you have O1 and O2. Normally, your 1's are you better players and you'll put your setter between them, so you have at least one of your best attackers in the front row with your setter at all times. Now you run a 6-2 offense (two setters) all this goes out the window - but very few college teams run such and offense.
You can pretty much always count on the pass going to the setter between the middle and right front. (two attackers to the front, maybe one to the back, or the setter in that spot.) There are positions on the court - but I never used them since high school.
Enjoy. :wink:
