Offense in volleyball can be said to be "in system" or "out of system". In the most fundamental terms, in system offense is when there is a perfect serve receive pass, and the setter can set any available hitter he or she wants. The basic volleyball offense will have the middle hitting in zone 3, the outside hitter in zone 4, and the opposite hitting in zone 2. The back row outside hitter will also be available to hit in zone 6. When in system the setter can set at a variety of tempos. This dictates the speed at which hitters make approaches and when they can hit. The objective of setting at different tempos is to force opposing blockers to make quick decisions about who to block and where. The desired outcome is that hitters will have at most one blocker to contend with when attempting to hit.
First Tempo
A first tempo set, also called a quick, is the first set that could be hit starting from the time of the set. This is an in system set requiring a good, usually perfect pass. Middles hit first tempo sets in zone 3 although some teams stretch the area of possible first tempo sets into zones 4 and 2. A first tempo set is sometimes described as a set where the hitter has to be in the air or jumping at the time of the set.
Second Tempo
A second tempo set is a set that is also in system. Second tempo sets are faster sets to zones 2 and 4, but sometimes a second tempo set could go to a hitter moving into zone 3 or the back row hitter in zone 1 or 6. A second tempo set is a set that is set at a fast enough pace that a blocker jumping on a first tempo attacker cannot also jump on the subsequent second tempo set. This is the key to second tempo sets. Even if the second tempo set is going to zone 3 or 6, a blocker jumping on the first tempo attacker cannot also attempt to block the second tempo attacker, even if the blocker doesn't need to move laterally along the net to be in the right position.
Third Tempo/Out of System
Third tempo sets are times when the setter is out of position or has a bad pass and the blockers will have an easy time determining who is going to be set. At the same time a set to zone 2 or 4 that is high enough will allow the opposing middle to jump with a first tempo attacker and still make it outside to assist with a double (or triple) block. This is a third tempo set even though the pass was good and there was a quick attempt. Third tempo sets with a good pass are not desirable when running a fast tempo offense.
The key (beyond the perfect pass to start things all) to running a fast offense is to keep the first and second tempo sets close enough together in pace that blockers cannot attempt to block both the first tempo attacker and the second tempo attacker. This by extension dictates that you limit the amount of third tempo sets.
There is a video on YouTube (loud music warning) of several in system sets that shows just how potent this can be. There are times where all three second tempo attackers are starting their approaches at almost the same time in their respective zones (front row outside in 4, back row outside in 6, and opposite in 1 or 2). There are some good examples of the first tempo attacker pushed out into zone 4 where blockers cannot block both. There are also some good examples of a first tempo attacker and second tempo attacker in 6 with virtually the same result even though the blocker would really only have to jump again immediately. In some of these the blocker is still able to attempt a block mostly by virtue of being tall enough to block without jumping.
Run as fast an offense as you can. The way it can limit and hinder opposing defenses can be significant. It can result in higher hitting efficiencies and more free balls when there are digs because defenders are more likely to be caught out of position.
See also:
Zones of the Court
Volleyball Basics are intended to present some of the fundamental volleyball knowledge that everyone serious about the sport should know.
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