Busch Sets it Straight
by Mark Dustin
2/10/2003
For the Association of Volleyball Professionals’ Best Female Setter of
2002 award winner, Carrie Busch, the skill comes easy. Since the age of
13, playing indoor club volleyball, Busch has provided the sets that every
hitter dreams about.
Busch stresses footwork saying in order to provide a good set it is important
to get around the ball and square up to the target as much as possible,
even if it means running across the court to chase an errant pass. Under
perfect conditions, Busch uses a three-step approach to get into position
leading with her right leg, then left then hopping into position, shoulders
squared up to her target.In setting, control is crucial. To help gain control,
Busch likes to place her fingers on the ball from the tip, down to where
the fingers enter the hand. Since Busch has large hands, this is an easy
task for her. For players with smaller hands, Busch recommends getting as
much of the fingers as possible on the ball. Ball control is critical. The
more control on the sets, the easier it is on the hitter to put the ball
down. As the ball approaches, Busch positions her hands to where her index
finger and thumb surround a panel on the ball. This gives her the ability
to get her fingers on the ball and control her set.
Projecting the set away from the body requires a variety of muscle groups
to work together in harmony. Legs, shoulders, arms, and wrists must come
together as one to help the set travel the distance to the target. Depending
on distance, the
amount of force exerted by each muscle group varies. For example, when Busch
is setting across the court, she utilizes a lot of her leg power, and less
shoulder, arm, and wrist to get the set across the court. If the set needs
to only travel a few feet, she uses less leg and more of her wrist, arm,
and shoulder strength. As she makes the set, her shoulders and hips are
square to the target. Busch recommends keeping the hands high and forward.
On follow through after the set, hands and arms should go forward, not out
to the side. The mechanics for jump setting remain the same; the only change
is the jump while setting the ball. Busch said this helps to throw the opponent
off a little by making them think the ball may come over on the second touch.
Besides the mechanics, the conditions play an effect on sets and Busch
said changes in the mechanics become necessary to keep sets consistent.
Before beginning a game, she checks the wind by setting from various points
on the court and trying to hit her target. By doing this, she can see how
the wind is playing with the ball and make the necessary changes before
competition. Generally, Busch and her partner set low in windy conditions
and during calm conditions, the set height is determined by the hitter.During
the season, Busch starts each of her practices by setting back and forth
along the net with her partner. This is good for hand placement and ball
release on the set. After 80 to 100 good sets, Busch and her partner run
a set off a dig drill. This helps simulate game like situations where the
pass may not be perfect every time. She does this drill until 20 good
sets are accomplished. The next setting drill she does is a bad pass/dig
simulation. Here, the pass or dig is intentionally shanked to make her work
with the worst possible scenario. Again, 20 good sets are made to finish
the drill.
Busch doesn’t necessarily need her partner to practice setting. If she
arrives early to practice, she does baby sets to herself while walking
along the net, or against a wall or pole until her partner and coach show
up for practice. She suggests setting to yourself while watching television,
or when bored with nothing to do. It’s easy practice to help keep your
hand placement in top shape.If interested in looking at another player’s
setting style, Busch recommends checking out the AVP’s Best Male Setter
Award winner, Canyon Ceman saying he has great ball control and soft hands.
1. In getting into position, Busch leads with her right leg.
2. Then, she follows with the left leg.
3. A subtle leap puts her in position to set-shoulders and hips square
to the target.
4. With her arms up high, Busch is in position to begin the set. Notice
how the ball is in front of her forehead and her eyes are focused
on the ball.
5. Here you can see how Busch grips the ball on her set. She gets as
much of her fingers on the ball, and spaces her hands to
where the index fingers and thumbs create a window around the panel
on the ball.
6. As she gets ready to set the ball, Busch squats a little and bends
her arms in preparation of using her muscles together to
help get the ball to the target.
7. On release, Busch’s arms go up and forward on the follow through
8. On the jump set, the mechanics stay the same, the only added step
is the jump at the end to throw off the defense and help to
get the ball to the target.
9. Busch demonstrates a drill that can be done with no partner to set
with.