In volleyball, setters play a bit like the quarterbacks in football or point guards in basketball. They’re the leaders on the court, responsible for planning how their team will attack.
But here’s the cool part: they don’t shout out plays like in other sports; instead, they use secret hand signals to tell their teammates what to do next.
Volleyball Setter Hand Signals: Volleyball setters use hand signals to coordinate plays. Each signal represents a specific play like a quick attack or a high ball, helping teammates know what to do next.
These signals are like secret codes, and each one means a different play, like a quick move, a high jump, or something else.
Just remember, these signals might look different depending on where you’re playing, but knowing them is super important for any volleyball player who wants to up their game.
Volleyball Setter Hand Signals: Detailed Guide
In volleyball, setters are like the directors of a movie, guiding their team’s moves. What’s interesting is they don’t talk; they use hand signals to share their game plan. This guide will unravel this unique part of the sport.
1. Hand Signals for Right-Side Attacks in Volleyball
On the right side of the court, we have plays called Back 2, 5, Red, and D (a back-row attack). These are usually run by the opposite hitter.
Understanding the ‘5’ Play in Volleyball
A “5” is shown by raising all five fingers. It means a high ball set to the right side of the court, near the sticks.
A Play Called ‘Back A:
The “Back A” is a quick set for the opposite hitter. It’s set behind the setter and is signaled by pointing your pinky finger down.
B Play Called ‘Back B:
The standard set for the opposite hitter is called “Back B.” It’s a high back set aimed between the setter and the right side of the court, going about 3-4 feet above the net. The setter signals this by pointing down with their pinky and ring fingers.
Understanding ‘Back 2’ Play:
The “back 2” is shown by holding up your pinky and ring fingers. It’s a set right behind the setter to the right-side attacker, placed between positions 3 and 2.
Back Row Attack: The ‘D’ Play:
To signal a “D,” draw a line over your upper chest near your left shoulder. The “D” represents a back-row attack on the right side, typically executed by the opposite hitter.
Exploring the ‘Red’ Play:
To signal a “red,” simply make a closed fist. The “red” is a quicker, lower-tempo version of a “5” play.
2. Hand Signals for Left Side Attacks in Volleyball
On the left side of the court, you’ll often come across four different types of sets: 4, Hut, Go, and Rip. These sets are usually meant for the outside hitter to attack.
Understanding the ‘Hut’ Play:
To signal a “hut,” just make a single slashing motion across your chest. It’s a bit quicker and lower arching outside set.
Exploring the ’32/Rip’ Play:
To show a “32” or “rip,” create an arch with your hand. Whether you call it a “32” or a “rip,” it’s a faster, shorter high ball set on the outside, aimed between positions 4 and 3.
Understanding the ‘4’ Play in Volleyball:
To signal a “4,” simply raise four fingers. This is a classic highball set directed to the left-side attacker.
Exploring the ‘Go’ Play:
To indicate a “go,” form a gun shape with your fingers. It signifies a swifter outside attack known as the “2nd step” tempo, requiring the outside hitter to be in their second step of the approach when the setter makes the play.
Back Row Attack: The ‘A’ Play:
To convey an “A,” trace a line over your upper chest near your right shoulder. The “A” move is an exceptionally uncommon back row attack originating from the back/left side of the court, precisely position 5. It’s essentially the reverse of a “D” play.
3. Hand Signals for Middle Attack in Volleyball
The middle blocker typically executes rapid attacks in the center of the court, using plays like 1, Push 1, 3/Shoot, Back 1, and Slide. Additionally, there’s the “2,” which is also known as a meter ball.
Understanding the ‘Push 1’ Play:
To signal a “push 1,” bend your index finger. It’s a slightly off-center, quick set that’s positioned more to the left than a standard “1” play.
Exploring the ‘1’ Play in Volleyball:
To signify a “1,” simply raise one finger. It’s a typical quick set aimed at the middle blocker positioned in front of, but near, the setter.
Understanding the ‘Meter’ Play:
In volleyball for beginners, the “meter ball” is the basic setup. It’s called that way because the setter sends the ball about a meter above, making it accessible for the middle hitter. To signal this play, you just show two fingers or make a peace sign.
Exploring the ‘Back 1’ Volleyball Play:
To signal a “back 1,” raise your pinky finger. It’s essentially the same as a “1” play, but it’s executed behind the setter rather than in front of them.
Understanding the ‘2’ Volleyball Play
To signal a “2,” just raise two fingers. It’s a high ball set aimed at the front middle of the court. Think of it as a higher and slower version of the basic meter ball set.
Understanding the ‘3/Shoot’ Volleyball Play:
To show a “3” or a “shoot,” you can either hold up three fingers or make a gun symbol with your index finger and thumb. It’s called both a “3” and a “shoot” and involves a speedy attack directed even more to the left of the setter than a Push 1 play.
Exploring the ‘Slide’ Volleyball Play:
To signal a “slide,” use the shaka sign. It’s a play where the middle blocker starts on the left or middle of the court but sprints to the right side to hit the ball. The ball is typically set about 3-4 feet above the net, and the attacker usually jumps off one leg for the slide attack.
Back Row Attack: The ‘B’ Play in Volleyball
To signal a “B,” draw a line down the middle of your right chest muscle, placing it between where you’d signal an “A” and a “pipe.”
The “B” play involves a back row attack positioned between positions 6 and 5, sort of in the middle of an “A” and a “pipe.” It’s not a very common attack in volleyball.
Back Row Attack: The ‘C’ Play in Volleyball
To show a “C,” draw a line down the middle of your left chest muscle, positioning it between where you’d signal a “D” and a “pipe.”
The “C” play involves a back row attack occurring between positions 6 and 1, kind of in the middle of a “D” and a “pipe.” This type of attack is quite rare in volleyball.
Back Row Attack: Unveiling the ‘Pipe’ Play
To signal a “pipe,” draw a line down the middle of your chest. The “pipe” is a back-row attack right through the middle of the court.
4. Understanding the ‘Back Row Quick Attack’ (BIC) in Volleyball
A back row quick attack, known as BIC, is a speedier and lower version of back row attacks. To signal a BIC, make a fist and flick your thumb as if you’re lighting a lighter.
The setter combines the BIC signal with the typical back row play signal (A, B, C, D, pipe) to indicate the faster tempo. At the high level, this concept isn’t separate; they simply call it a “pipe.”
For beginner volleyball players, understanding these hand signals is handy, even if they don’t distinguish between back-row attack tempos, to avoid confusion when they encounter them.
5. Hand Signals for Combination Plays in Volleyball
Sometimes, setters go for combo plays, which involve attackers making unconventional moves in a smaller court area. Normally, the outside hitter goes left, and the opposite hitter goes right, while the middle hitter stays center.
But in a combo play, both the middle and one wing attacker hit from the middle, aiming to puzzle the opposing blockers.
Exploring the ‘Pipe’ and ‘Push Pipe’ Volleyball Plays:
These plays primarily target the back-row outside hitter. The “pipe” involves a high set right in the middle of the court and often engages multiple hitters. It’s crucial, though, to consider the middle hitter’s position to avoid clashes.
To address this, there’s a variation known as the “Push Pipe.” In the push pipe, the set is directed a bit deeper into the court to prevent interference between the middle and outside hitters.
Signaling-wise, you use a closed fist for the pipe and an open hand with horizontally aligned fingers for the push pipe.
Exploring the ‘X Combo Attack’ in Volleyball:
To signal an “X” combo play, cross your index and middle fingers. This tandem attack involves both the middle blocker and one of the wing spikers.
The middle goes for a quick move, while the wing spiker often runs a 2, Back 2, or 32. It’s called “X” because the two attackers’ paths should cross, forming an X shape in their approach.
Tandem Plays in Volleyball:
In volleyball, a tandem play unites the middle and outside hitters in a synchronized move. The middle hitter initiates a quick attack, shadowed closely by the outside hitter. This creates a one-on-one blocking scenario.
Exploring the ‘Double Quick Combo Attack’ in Volleyball:
To show a “double quick” combo play, hold up your index and pinky fingers. This play is pretty straightforward; both the middle blocker and opposite hitter are involved. The middle blocker goes for a “1,” and the opposite hitter hits a “back 1.”
Easy Signals for Serving in Volleyball
Some coaches like to keep serving instructions simple. They use hand signals to tell the servers where to aim. If the setter shows their right thumb behind their back, it means serve to the right side. Left thumb means left side, and both thumbs mean right down the middle.
If the setter shakes their right hand, it tells the server to aim for a weak passer on the right side. Shaking the left hand means targeting a struggling passer on the left side.
Signals For Zone Serving
Some coaches let setters choose where servers should aim. Setters use their fingers to signal the zones. Each zone has a number, a standard system used worldwide.
One finger means to aim for Zone 1 (right back), two fingers for Zone 2 (right front), three for Zone 3 (middle front), four for Zone 4 (left front), and just the thumb for Zone 6 (middle back).
What’s the Method for Setters to Signal Spikers?
Setters use hand signals to talk to spikers because they want to keep their strategy secret from the other team. If they spoke out loud, the other team could figure out the plan and set up their defense accordingly.
What’s the Purpose of Volleyball Players Concealing Their Fingers Behind Their Backs?
Between points, setters use hand signals, hiding them either behind their back or by using their shirt to keep them hidden from the opponents on the other side of the net.
Some setters even use a teammate as a shield to show the signals to their spikers nearby, but not to the opposing team.
Additional Hand Signals Used in Volleyball
In indoor and beach volleyball, hand signals extend beyond setters. Middle blockers signal commitment with fists, and wing spikers use fingers to indicate blocking strategies. Players also signal servers.
The Purpose of Using Hand Signals in Volleyball
Setters use hand signals in volleyball to discreetly communicate offensive plays to their teammates while keeping the opposition guessing. This ensures every point counts during play.
While other methods like keywords exist, they can become predictable to opponents. Hand signals, hidden behind a jersey or leg, maintain an element of surprise.
The flexibility of creating custom signals adds to their effectiveness as long as the team understands them well.
Which Players Should Utilize Hand Signals?
While the setter is the primary user of hand signals, other players can also employ them, occasionally signaling their preferred set for an upcoming point, either through hand signals or verbally.
The key is discretion to keep the opposing team from predicting plays. Coaches, too, use hand signals to guide their players, indicating where they should serve the next ball.
FAQs:
Q1. What is the main purpose of volleyball setter hand signals?
Volleyball setter hand signals are primarily used to discreetly communicate offensive plays to teammates while keeping the opponent unaware of the intended strategy.
Q2. Can players other than setters use hand signals in volleyball?
Yes, while setters commonly use hand signals, other players may occasionally use them to communicate their preferred sets or play discreetly. The goal is to prevent the opposing team from anticipating their moves.
Q3. Do coaches use hand signals in volleyball matches?
Yes, coaches often utilize hand signals to guide their players during volleyball matches, indicating where they should serve the next ball and providing strategic instructions.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, volleyball setter hand signals are a crucial part of the game, serving as the covert language of the court. Setters, like quarterbacks or point guards in other sports, use these signals to orchestrate plays and maintain secrecy from their opponents.
These signals represent a wide range of offensive maneuvers, from quick attacks to high balls, enabling teammates to execute with precision. While setters primarily use hand signals, other players and even coaches employ them to communicate discreetly.
The purpose is to keep the opposing team guessing and ensure each point is strategically won. Hand signals, versatile and customizable, remain a cornerstone of effective volleyball communication.
After reading this detailed article, we hope you have a good understanding of Volleyball Setter Hand Signals. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments!