Complex one or first ball side out is fundamental ability of any team that want to play in high level, it is necessary for success but it is not enough. So in order to build up a successful and stable team that is able to play good in high level we need efficient and consistent attack after reception that includes reception – set after reception – attack after reception – covering attack after reception. Figure 2.1 shows the statistics of first three teams in 2022 Men World Championship; Italy, Poland and Brazil, also it shows the statistics of Iran national team that stayed in 13th place.
FIGURE 2.1 Comparison of attack after reception between four different teams in men WCH 2022: Italy: first place, Poland: second place, Brazil: third place, Iran: 13th place.
As you see in figure 2.1, these four teams are very close together in attack after reception but in our idea and if we focus on attack, what makes difference between good teams and great teams is efficiency in transition attack that falls in complex 2 (first ball break point) and complex 3 (long rallies). As you can see in next page chart there is meaningful difference between great teams and good team. we can say in order to be good we need first ball side- out and in order to be great, transition attack plays vital point, before being great we must become good.
In order to become good team, the coach should develop the individual reception skills in the main receivers very good and also create coordination and discipline between them in all six rotations to achieve accuracy and consistency in reception. In the next step, the team needs coordination between setters and attackers, also speed and variety in set and attack, as well they need ball control, patience and smartness when the reception is not good.
To achieve better performance in complex two, we need efficient serve, solid and high block, also aggressive and high quality defense in order to organize successful transition attack. Quality of set and also good approach of attacker in transition attack are very important in building the successful transition attack, but reading and decision making ability of the attacker and also his/her confidence and skill to execute the decision play vital role in increasing efficiency of attack.
FIGURE 2.2 Comparison of transition attack between four different teams in men WCH 2022: Italy: first place, Poland: second place, Brazil: third place, Iran: 13th place.
As it is clear figure 2.2, great teams in 2022 Men World Championship have very close performance in transition attack. Also they have close efficiency in serve; Italy; 12%, Poland 13% and Brazil: 13%. In block efficiency again they are very close together; Italy:3%, Poland:4% and Brazil: 2%. But again if we focus on attack, what makes difference between great teams and greatest team? in our idea attack efficiency in bad situations in transition attack can play important role in team performance between great teams and make it the greatest team. It is clear in figure 2.3 that Italy that stayed in first place had big advantage in efficiency in bad situations in transition attack.
To build up good foundation for attack in this situation, we should develop players ball control in unexpected situations, setting to long distances, high quality set while rolling or diving, underhand back set and so on.
FIGURE 2.3 Comparison of transition attack when the quality of dig is bad, between four different teams in men WCH 2022: Italy: first place, Poland: second place, Brazil: third place, Iran: 13th place.
FIGURE 2.4 Different Complexes in Volleyball
But don’t forget that before being the greatest team we must be great team and in order to be great team first of all we must build up a good team. Good teams are efficient and consistent in complex 1 or attack after reception.
Technically, complex one is formed by serve reception – set after reception- attack after reception and cover. We must prepare our team in all these elements and their connections. The team should be ready to play efficient after all types of receptions (perfect receptions, good receptions, average receptions or poor receptions) and also in all six rotations our offensive performance should be in same and good level.