Players stand in pairs on each side of the court. The player at the front sets the ball backwards to their teammate and makes a spin so that they are now facing their teammate, who then sets the ball back to the player facing them. This player now sets the ball backwards across the court to the other pair, who do the same thing.
Match situations require players to change their setting patterns, so sometimes players will be required to set backwards instead of the usual forwards.
Most teams win the dig and then hand the point straight back with a slow, predictable transition swing. The best 2026 sides treat the moment after the dig as their sharpest scoring chance, feeding the middle in transition and running first-tempo attacks off a defensive ball.
When the first pass breaks down, most teams collapse into a high ball straight into the opposing block. The best 2026 sides are building structured out-of-system offences that turn broken plays into scoring chances using libero sets, left-side options and disciplined hitter routes.
The modern pipe attack has evolved from a high middle-back set into a flat, fast weapon that arrives at quick tempo. Coaches at every level are now drilling it as a primary scoring option, forcing blockers into impossible decisions and unlocking four-hitter offences.
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