Championship Setter Training: Build Consistency, Communication & Confidence

with Kamalani Akeo
University of Pittsburgh Assistant Coach;
3x Final Four (2023, 2024, 2025);
2024 AVCA "Thirty Under 30" recognition;
Named one of 2023's "College Coaching Hotshots" by Volleyball Magazine;
Pitt volleyball setter from 2015 to 2018;
2016 ACC Setter of the Year;
2x AVCA All-East Coast Region Team (2016, 2017);
3rd all-time (Pitt volleyball) with 3,956 career assists

Get the tools needed to build smarter, more reliable setters who lead your offense with confidence!

In this comprehensive video, Pitt Volleyball's Kamalani Akeo breaks down the process of developing elite setters through simple, high-impact drills and communication strategies.

Coach Akeo walks you through a full setter training progression focused on building repeatable mechanics and improving setter IQ. You'll see how to create an efficient daily routine that sharpens footwork, hand shape, and ball trajectory all while reinforcing communication, connection, and mental engagement.

This video features:

• Technical Fundamentals: Teaching proper posture, hand position and movement with drills like "Shaped and Ready" and "Up the Chimney."
• Footwork Progressions: Including "Four Corners" and "Eyes, Feet, Hands, Targets" to improve consistency under pressure.
• Live Setting Drills: Like "Connecting Lines" to practice real-time setting adjustments and decision-making.
• Communication Drills: Including "No Talk Hitting Lines" to foster nonverbal awareness and offensive coordination.

Coach Akeo also emphasizes the mental side of setting, teaching how to coach your setters to think, lead and respond with purpose in every rep. Whether you're working with beginners or experienced athletes, you'll gain a clear, repeatable structure to change the future of your setting group!

47 minutes. 2025.