A high school coach emailed me with a roster issue.
My question is how to handle a situation where I have three setters who all played on varsity last year returning. To start the season last year we had planned on using our number one setter (upcoming junior) to run a 5-1, she got injured and missed all but the final two matches. Our number 2 and 3 setters (upcoming sophomore and freshman) had to be moved up to varsity and play the entire season there.
This season our number 1 is healthy and is currently much stronger than the other two. We plan on running a 5-1 at this point. My question is what to do or how to handle the other two possibly moving down to play on JV this year as they would likely (if there is no injury) never see playing time in any meaningful matches. Neither are truly varsity level players yet and cannot play another position. Any suggestions on how to make this as easy as possible?
To my mind, this coach answered their own question at the end. They said neither of the two setters is really varsity level. That means they should play junior varsity. Pretty simple from a roster decision, really.
The difficult part of this situation is how to handle it with the two players in question. They were varsity starters last year. No doubt being JV this year will be a blow to their egos. Generally speaking, I feel being honest and straightforward is best. Right now they are well behind the #1 setter. The team runs a 5-1, so they probably won’t play much, if at all. Putting them on the JV team will let them play regularly. This will be better for their development. You have to make them think longer-term to get past the immediate disappointment.
That said, there is the question of having a second (and maybe third) varsity setter for practice. If you need someone to fill that role, then one or both of these setters will have to train with the varsity.
Beyond having enough players in the position to run drills and scrimmage, there are a couple other considerations. Should the #1 setter get hurt again, you’ll need a back-up. Preferably, that is someone who is already familiar to the team. At the same time, though, the setters need to practice with the JV team. They will, after all, play with them in matches. You can’t just throw them in to run the offense without practicing with the team.
Do you train those two setters with varsity and with JV? Do you rotate the two setters such that one of them practices with varsity and one with JV? What are your state rules about all this?
These are questions in need of answers before you address the players.
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2 Responses
Knowing there were going to be a setter issue this season our 3rd setter went to the school where the recruited setter came from.
Our varsity back up setter played JV, but sat the bench last season. She was fine with the role and ended up getting her into matches as a RS that were well in hand. She got to set when Senior S1 struggled. She understands she got recruited over for the upcoming season, but state rules have the incoming setter not able to play until 1/2 the season is over. We’ll move the returning setter to RS at that point.
Thank you for answering my question. I appreciate it.