Volleyball Jargon - Types of Sets

Types of Sets

There is no absolute standard for naming sets, so there can be several different names for any one type of set.

• A : A back row set aimed at the left side of the court . Also could be a quick set to the middle.
• B : A back row set aimed to the left side of the middle of the court .
• Back-Two: A ball set relatively high and to the middle or to the right side hitter, directly behind the setter.
• Back-One: A ball set relatively low (or quick) to the middle hitter or to the right side hitter, directly behind the setter.
• Bick : Similar to the "Pipe", but set very low
• C : A back row set aimed to the right side of the middle of the court .
• Chaos: An outside in which the middle runs a one, the outside comes for a two off the middle's shoulder, and the weakside runs around the back to hit an outside 3.
• D : A back row set aimed at the right side of the court .
• Five / Back : Same as a four set, but to the weak-side.
• Four : A high set to the outside hitter.
• Hut / Loop : A lower set to the outsider hitter. Higher than a shoot.
• Jones : A variation of "Chaos" where the middle runs a one, the outside comes for a "back 2," and the weakside comes around to hit an "outside 3." The setter may choose to set the ball to any of the three hitting options. This play is designed so that the setter is able to accommodate the set according to where the block is positioned.
• One / Quick / Fifty One : A type of middle hit when the middle jumps before the setter sets, with the ball being set directly to the middle hitter's hand.
• Pipe : A back row set aimed at the middle of the court between a B and a C-ball .
• Shocker: A attack in which the Middle runs a one, the Opposite comes for a two off the middle's shoulder, and the Outside runs/slides around to hit a back-two.
• Shoot : A variation on the quick set except instead of setting the ball to the middle the ball is set to the outside hitter.
• Step / Slide : An attack where the hitter fakes a quick-set (one) approach with his/her first step and subsequently chases the ball behind the setter and parallel to the net, jumps off one foot and hits the ball close to the antenna on the weak-side.
• Ten : A ball set for a back row attack.
• Three / Thirty-Three : A quick lower set to the outside.
• Thirty-Two: An attack where the hitter fakes a quick-set (one) approach with his/her first step and subsequently chases the ball in front of the setter and parallel to the net, jumps off one foot and hits the ball in the outside 3 position. Generally used as adapted version of the Slide for left-handed hitters.
• Two : A ball set to the middle hitter. Also, a "back two" is the same set set behind the setter.
• Cross (X) : A play in which the middle hitter jumps for a one, and the weak-side hitter, having moved to the middle of the court, takes an approach for a two at the same location.
• Thirty One / Inside Shoot : A play in which the middle hitter runs a one ball 5 to 10 feet away from the setter.
• Stack / Tandem : Similar to the "cross" but the outside hitter hits the two ball.
• Thirty Stack : A play in which the middle hitter runs a Thirty One and the Outside Hitter runs a Thirty Two

While there is no absolute standard, the most common set naming system is a two number system where the first number corresponds to a zone on the net, and the second number corresponds to the height of the set at its apex (in feet). Zones are named 1 through 7 from left to right along the net with the setter occupying the line between Zone 5 and Zone 6; and the most common set heights are 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 (represented by a 0 in the notation). For example, a 10 set is a high ball to the left side, a 53 is a 3 foot high set just to the right of the middle of the court (in front of the setter), and a 61 is a 1 foot high set right behind the setter. Additionally, Zones 4, 5, and 6 float along the net with the setter.