The 4-2 Offense Formation
The 4-2 serve receive is the most basic volleyball offensive system. In a 4-2 system you have 2 setters and only 4 hitters. The two setters play opposite one another on the court. The setter that is on the front row sets for that volleyball rotation.
With a 4-2, it's much easier to adjust the formation because the setter lines up near the target because they are always a front row player.
Basic strategies for a 4-2 serve receive are...
- Pass to the middle
Most beginner teams that run a 4-2 should pass the ball to the middle, then the setter has the option to set the hitters hitting outside and weakside. For a more advanced 4-2 offense, the setter can set out of Right Front. The hitters then have to the option to hit outside, middle, or back. - Train your setters to attack the second hit
Since the setters are always on the front row when setting, they should be given the option to attack. Since you only have two players attacking at the net, the setter dumping or tipping can be an effective strategy. - Have an outlet
If your attackers are forced to receive the serve, or if the pass is so off target that you can't run the play, have an outlet set. Set a back row player to hit a 10 ball or set a ball high outside as an outlet for bad passes.
The clear disadvantage to this offensive formation is that there are only two attackers, leaving a team with fewer offensive weapons.
Another aspect is to see the setter as an attacking force, albeit a weakened force, because when the setter is in the front court they are able to ‘tip’ or ‘dump’, so when the ball is close to the net on the second touch, the setter may opt to hit the ball over with one hand. This means that the blocker who would otherwise not have to block the setter is engaged and may allow one of the hitters to have an easier attack.