Next Step After The W

[St_TJanet 0]

Okay, if you read my other post, I mentioned I want to start moving the girls around and out of the W formation. (I incorrectly called it a 5:1 earlier)

I have 2 setters, 3 hitters (no one tall enough to actually spike or block) and the rest are coming along as passers. One of the setters is also one of the hitters. What do you think would be one of the easier options for teaching a new offense? (I hope I have my terminology correct. I really know very little about volleyball.)

Thanks for any help you can send my way.

Janet

[Bert 0]

When you play with a W-formation, I think you mean that you play with 3-1-2 formation, with two setters (2-4).

When I am right, why did you play with a 3-1-2 formation and why didn't you play with a 3-2-1 formation?

Bert

[fmfjohn 0]

Janet,

Do I understand correctly that you are using a "W" receive formation and want to find a (new) offensive system? It sounds to me as if you are currently using whoever is in the center front as your setter and you would like to start "switching" your players to better positions according to their individual skill. Am I correct? Or have I missed the boat somewhere?

_____________________

CF(Setter) Is this approximately your serve receive formation?

_____________________

Left Front Right Front

Center Rear

Left Rear Right rear

I DO tend to miss lots of boats these days

Or maybe you'd just like to get some help with some new serve receive drills. I know this forum can really help you with that!

Anyway, keep talking to us.

john

ps: there are loads of really good volleyball books available; I think you might find this one helpful:

"An Understanding of the Fundamental Techniques of Volleyball" Rbt. E. Howard, Allyn and Bacon, ISBN 0-205-16558-3

[fmfjohn 0]

Janet,

Sorry about the "Center Front" confusion. It looked like a diagram when I typed it, but lost something in the translation to the actual email.

But the rest of the questions hopefully still make sense.

john

[Bert 0]

Hi all,

In my opinion the 3-1-2 is not a very dinamic system. I was wondering if there are coaches over here who played a 3-2-1 system with a youth team and when they do, why they do so and why they don't play 3-1-2.

Thanks for any reaction!

Bert

[fmfjohn 0]

Bert,

I think most of us here in the US would refer to the "W" receive formation as a 3-2-1. But, the way most teams set it up, it would be more accurate to call it a 2-1-2-1. In both cases, the front "1" is the setter who may be in the middle (3 position) or on either wing (in 2 or 4 position, outside the second row receiver on their side)

So how do you set up a 3-1-2? And more importantly, why do you recommend it?

john

[Bert 0]

Bert,

I think most of us here in the US would refer to the "W" receive formation as a 3-2-1. But, the way most teams set it up, it would be more accurate to call it a 2-1-2-1. In both cases, the front "1" is the setter who may be in the middle (3 position) or on either wing (in 2 or 4 position, outside the second row receiver on their side)

So how do you set up a 3-1-2? And more importantly, why do you recommend it?

john

Hello John,

If I could I will paint it out, but I couldn't this way. I will sent you a email about it.

By the way, I don't prefer 3-1-2 as last part of the eduction. I think a 3-2-1 is a more dynamic system than in a 3-1-2 system. There is another reason. I think that some one should choise for a system that matched with the team. In a 3-1-2 system, the player on position 6, is the one close the the block. Because he or she is always close behind the front players, this is a system with matched with teams with or a good and high block or in a competion where the spike isn't a big problem (so for starting teams). In a 3-2-1 system, in my opinion there is in the first place more transition, it's more dynamic, the player who is behind the block is most of the times no so close behind the block. This is a system used in a competition where the level of the spike is higher or the level of the block is lower or the players are not so tall (the spikers of the other team could easily spike over the block.

There is something else. I think, but who am I, that a W formation is more system in a service reception and not, as above in the defence.

Bert

[fmfjohn 0]

Bert,

You and I (and everyone else, I hope) agree on the idea that we have to chose a player alignment or system that is based on our players, not fitting our players to a system. I think here in the US it is extra difficult to not use a system that "the big kids" are using, because our players see them on tv and want to "be like Mike". And this is true for serve receive, base defense locations, center up or back backrow defense, blocking systems or offenses. I have always had problems, mostly with parents, when I don't have players on junior teams that can jump high enough to block, or when the opponent can't spike the ball. Everyone thinks that you just have to have a blocker jumping. ??? I guess that's just one of the enjoyments of coaching:)

I'll be looking forward to the e-mail.

john

[fmfjohn 0]

Janet,

Sorry that Bert and I got carried away with formation numbering. I was wondering what you might have done with your offense? I guess one of the first things I should have asked is how often your team practices, and then how many passers you have that can/will move to receive the serve. If you have three or four girls who can and will move more than three steps to get to the ball, then you might want to try a 4-2 offense (Hitter,hitter,setter, hitter,hitter setter) and a four player receiving formation. Or, you could stay with a slightly modified W and still use a 4-2. If you have setters who can backset fairly well, then you put your setter in center front (3). If your setters really can't back set, put your setter in the right front where she can front set both hitters.

Anyway, I didn't want to leave you hanging.

john