The effect of the opponents’ serve on the offensive actions of Greek setters in volleyball games

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the reception of the opponents’ serve on the offensive actions and strategy of the A1 National Division setters and, by extension, of their team. The subject of the study consisted in Greek volleyball teams of A1 Men’s National Division. Thirty-six videotaped matches from the period 1998-1999 were observed (3 for each team). In order to collect data, a method of indirect observation through Vicas analysis system was used. The following parameters were evaluated: a) team b) service reception, c) type of set, d) tempo of set, e) set’s area, f) setter’s set effectiveness, g) type of attack h) line-up of opponent’s block, and i) attack’s effectiveness. Cross-tabular statistical analysis showed that the quality of the reception of the opponents’ serve formed the offensive strategy of the Greek setters of A1 National Division, though it did not affect the effectiveness of their sets to the attackers and the attacking strategy of the team. However, it should be pointed out that, one could not draw reliable conclusions with respect to the team’s attacking strategy and effectiveness, from simply studying the reception of the opponents’ serve.