Activities Sports & Athletics How to Execute the Volleyball Set Volleyball Setting is a Skill That Requires a Soft Touch Share PINTEREST Email Print Boris Streubel / Getty Images for FIVB Sports & Athletics Volleyball Playing & Coaching Baseball Bicycling Billiards Bodybuilding Bowling Boxing Car Racing Cheerleading Extreme Sports Football Golf Gymnastics Ice Hockey Martial Arts Professional Wrestling Skateboarding Skating Paintball Soccer Swimming & Diving Table Tennis Tennis Track & Field Other Activities Learn More By Beverly Oden Beverly Oden Beverly Oden is a former member of the USA Volleyball team who competed in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 04/23/17 Volleyball setting is one of the most difficult skills to teach and takes a lot of practice to master. Unlike many of the skills in volleyball, setting requires a super soft touch. The key is to keep the ball on your fingertips and not ever touch it with your palms or you will be called for a lift. The ball should always remain in motion throughout the entire set and should never be stopped in your hands at any point. The goal is to take the ball into your hands and release it without spin to your hitter. Make a triangle with your thumbs and forefingers touching each other at the tipsPlace your triangle right above your foreheadNow separate your forefingers and thumb by an inch or two and cup your hands in the shape of the ballWhen the ball is passed, move your feet quickly to get your forehead directly under the ball if possibleFace your hips and shoulders toward where you want the ball to go. Contact the ball on top of your forehead with only your fingertips, both hands touching the ball at the same time. Your arms and knees should be bent at the point of contactPush through with your hands and arms, releasing the ball with straight armsAs you push with your arms push up with your legs to get more distance on your setFollow through once the ball has left your hands so that the backs of your hands are facing each other