The Physics of Setting a Volleyball
What is a set?
Sets are a overhead pass which places the ball in a way that another volleyball player can spike the ball over the net.
The Physics of Setting
When a setter sets the ball, he or she does not catch the ball, but gives with it. Giving with the ball allows more time with the ball in your hands, the smaller the force the volleyball is exerting on the player. This is shown in the equation:
FΔt=mΔv → F=mΔv/Δt
The greater the time, the smaller the force. Since there is more time of contact with the ball when a player “gives with it,” the player will have more control where the ball will go. A player also bends her knees/ body to give with the ball even more. As the player extends her legs, she is transferring the kinetic energy of her body to the ball. A hand set compared to a bump set allows more control over the ball because the force lessens when the ball comes into contact with the player.
Sets are a overhead pass which places the ball in a way that another volleyball player can spike the ball over the net.
The Physics of Setting
When a setter sets the ball, he or she does not catch the ball, but gives with it. Giving with the ball allows more time with the ball in your hands, the smaller the force the volleyball is exerting on the player. This is shown in the equation:
FΔt=mΔv → F=mΔv/Δt
The greater the time, the smaller the force. Since there is more time of contact with the ball when a player “gives with it,” the player will have more control where the ball will go. A player also bends her knees/ body to give with the ball even more. As the player extends her legs, she is transferring the kinetic energy of her body to the ball. A hand set compared to a bump set allows more control over the ball because the force lessens when the ball comes into contact with the player.