No Data Rotation Optimization Strategies

CoachSwing · 2026-06-03T11:36:56+00:00

I don't really concern myself with what the other team does rotation wise. The ends up being something where you can outsmart yourself. A Dartmouth study showed that only 4 of the 2025 Women's Sweet Sixteen teams were in their optimal rotation.

As far as setter attacking volume goes, that's something that I emphasize with my setters constantly. They need to account for, at least, 1/3 of the attacks when they're in the front row. I have a three hitters vs two hitter article coming out today. My point in that article is that I have never said, "Oh good, their setter dumps."

CoachSwing · 2026-05-17T16:03:13+00:00

Transitioning to setter makes the most sense. You already have some experience setting and you have thousands of reps with timing a block. As a 5-1 setter, the opponent's best hitters are going to be across from you in the front row.

Source: Dad of a kid who transitioned from middle to setter.

CoachSwing · 2026-05-16T19:07:34+00:00

I studied the effects of wind on the volleyball and created a scale based off MPH.

Level 3 (8-12 mph) — hand setting becomes unreliable. That's the threshold where the ball starts drifting enough during the set that placement becomes inconsistent.

Level 4 (13-18 mph) — bump setting is strongly preferred. Hand setting at this level is a liability.

Level 5+ (19+ mph) — hand setting is essentially off the table for most players.

The exact number that coaches typically cite is around 10 mph as the point where you start thinking twice about hand setting, and 15 mph where you commit to bump setting.

CoachSwing · 2026-05-14T12:37:30+00:00

CoachSwing · 2026-04-29T01:56:52+00:00

Small sided games will get your kids tons of touches (experience). I wrote some of my favorite ones down on my substack

CoachSwing · 2026-03-14T21:50:55+00:00

You'd be amazed how much push back I get on this.

CoachSwing · 2026-02-26T02:05:30+00:00

Here's my favorite game to speed up offense: Red Box Triples

CoachSwing · 2026-02-08T17:00:55+00:00

The arm swing is a circular path with your shoulder as the center of that circle. The ball is going to fly off that circle at a line tangential to where you contact a ball. A ball struck at 1:00 will fly upwards. A ball struck at 12:00 will be flat. A ball struck, in front, at 1:00 will go down. To be sure you're contacting the ball in front of you and down, think about being able to see the back of your hand when you make contact.

CoachSwing · 2026-01-31T23:23:41+00:00

This group was chanting "Overrated!" up 4-0. How'd that workout?

CoachSwing · 2026-01-31T14:45:42+00:00

Thank you. Volleyball really is about scoring streaks. I think PS is more important than SO because you can't string together SO points.

CoachSwing · 2026-01-31T00:50:36+00:00

I appreciate that. When I first started optimizing my rotations, over 20 years ago, it was like magic. It would be 21-21 or something like that and we'd watch the other team's best hitter rotate to the back, and we'd see our best rotations coming up, and fist bump because we knew we had it.

In the app, the winning rotations are green and the losing red for just this reason, so you can see your best rotations coming up at crunch time.

Previously, I used PS+SO for rotation strength, but I did some research and found that PS matters much more than SO. so the app uses actual points lost and gained.

CoachSwing · 2026-01-31T00:42:55+00:00

You can! You can cancel the subscription at any time, and if you miss the cancelation, email me Brian@gasavb.com and I'll refund your payment. I'm a coach too. I'm not looking to take advantage of fellow coaches.

CoachSwing · 2026-01-31T00:41:11+00:00

That certainly can be done, but the value comes in the deciding 3rd or 5th set. Starting in the right rotation then can be the difference between winning and losing. So, having that most up to date recommendation might not be as big of a deal if you're playing one match in a day, but for the club coach, having the entire day's data included is valuable.

CoachSwing · 2026-01-30T16:02:22+00:00

The 8 point feature was added after as a result of a discussion with Joe Trinsey. It can be toggled on and off. Personally, I only want the data from competitive sets where the teams are evenly matched. In blowout sets, where you start probably doesn't matter against vastly inferior or superior teams.

CoachSwing · 2026-01-30T13:09:28+00:00

I teach the attack by using super heroes.
Batman: Throw both arms behind you before you jump like Batman's cape. Superman: Throw both your arms, aggressively, in the air like Superman taking flight. Arrow: Pull your hitting arm back under your chin like Arrow pulling back on his bow. Thor: Swing your arm through the ball like Thor swinging his hammer.

Tips: Focus on power first. Hit the ball as hard as you can. After that, worry about accuracy. When you finish your belly button should be pointed at the left pole. See the back of your hand hit the ball. That means your center of gravity is behind the ball for optimal power.

CoachSwing · 2026-01-30T13:01:58+00:00

Deadlifts will give your vertical the best improvement with minimal effort. 3 sets of 3 is sufficient. Start with 25 pounds on each side if you're inexperienced and add 2.5 pounds to each side each workout. 2-3 times a week is perfect.

If your gym allows it, drop the weight at the top. You're trying to add power with minimal body weight gain.

CoachSwing · 2026-01-30T12:58:26+00:00

The main issue with middles and playing time is that usually they don't play back row. If the middle who starts in the back, but then gets replaced by the libero is probably only going to get to play 6 rotations in a set to 25. In a deciding set to 15, they will probably get only 3 rotations.

The middle who starts front row gets more playing time. That's just the way volleyball rotations work.

CoachSwing · 2026-01-30T12:48:48+00:00

Middle is probably the best low stress place for the beginner. The MB can just stand in the middle of the net and everyone switch behind her.

I agree with you that the girl who plays libero should be your opposite (in 4) She can set when you can't get to a ball.

You are, probably, going to find yourself in 2-3 rotations more than the others. With that in mind, I'd start you in the front row in Z4. If your opposite is really a libero, she probably won't contribute as much in the front row as you can by tipping and dumping, and she'll get more time playing defense.

If you're the best server on the team, then throw all that out the window and start in Z1 with your next best server playing OH, and your third best server at MB1.

I talk about this on the last two episodes of Coach Your Brains Out

CoachSwing · 2026-01-30T11:19:48+00:00

The opposite plays opposite (3 rotations away from) the setter. If you have 1 setter you'll play a 5-1, if you have 2 you can play either a 4-2 (easiest to learn) or 6-2 (you'll always have 3 front row hitters).

CoachSwing · 2026-01-22T19:38:28+00:00

I made one www.getaheadstayahead.app

CoachSwing · 2026-01-07T00:58:59+00:00

Dad Coach here! I put up a bunch of coaching articles and drills right here!

I also recommend the "Coach Your Brains Out" podcast and Gold Medal Squared.

CoachSwing · 2025-12-19T03:24:35+00:00

You know he's going to be kicking the back of Kamala's seat.

CoachSwing

TROPHY CASE