The Coach's Clipboard

Let me SET the scene for you. Day one of volleyball tryouts, dozens of players warming up and peppering on the court. The coaches gather together, catch up with each other, and watch the players warming up. They go over the list of names and positions on the tryout sheet, one of the first questions that always comes up is "How many setters do we have trying out?". For any new player or coach, it can be easy to get lost in the flashy excitement a dynamic hitter brings to a team. Rightly so, great hitting is very fun to watch, but the most important player on the court flies under the radar. If you barely notice them, then why is a setter so important in volleyball? Here are the reasons why:

Every coach can recall a practice that they put a lot of thought into and were sure it would be a hugely successful session, realizing by the end it was a major flop. Even with an arsenal of drills focusing on different skill areas, sometimes practices do not live up to the vision you had. This brings up the looming question of how do I run an effective volleyball practice? There are many factors that go into making sure the techniques and skills you are focusing on in practice have a lasting effect on your players, here are a few of the most important ones:

Many volleyball players on the east coast have trouble finding consistent and competitive play in their area. Boston is no different. If you are new to the area and wondering "Where do I play volleyball around Boston?", do not be worried! Despite being a city obsessed with the big four sports (baseball, basketball, football, hockey) there is a decently sized and dedicated community of volleyball players and facilities. Many are accessible with public transportation, or are easy to drive to and have parking availability. Whether you prefer beach volleyball, indoor volleyball, or grass volleyball, there are places to play for you!