Importance of attack speed in volleyball

Abstract

Abstract In this paper we examine the relationship of the speed of a set in volleyball with the outcome of the attack. A total of 1777 sets of a single male university level volleyball team were photographed using high speed cameras so that the time the set was in the air could be measured with accuracy to 1/100 th of a second. Data were analyzed using a logistic regression model implemented using the Bayesian paradigm. Using these methods the probability of a kill resulting from a set of a particular speed could be calculated. In general, sets that traveled a further distance had significant increases in the probability of success with a faster set. No trends were seen with sets that were delivered to hitters that were closer to the setter. Decreasing outside set time from 1.53 to 0.85 s, significantly increased probability of a kill from 0.31 to 0.58 for the team studied. The speed of the set when the attacker is not near the setter appears to be an important component in the success of the attack in male collegiate volleyball.