The Concept of “Slots”

In this article, I want to explore the concept of “slots” in volleyball.

The Concept of “Slots”

Let’s take a look at the diagram. A “slot” is a long, narrow space. You can see that the area between the attack line and the center line is divided into nine equal rectangular spaces. These long, narrow rectangles are what the concept calls “slots.”

To name the nine slots, we’ll assign numbers and letters to each. While there are various ways to do this, I will use the method described in “Volley pedia Ver1.2” (Nihon Bunkasha).

The setter’s position is designated as Slot 0. Starting from there, Slots 1 through 5 are assigned to the left side in 1-meter increments, and Slots A through C are assigned to the right side, also in 1-meter increments. (Since a court is 9 meters wide, each slot is 1 meter wide).

Why the “Slots” Concept Is Not Widely Understood in Japan?

From a global perspective, I think “slots” is not a new concept and is a commonly used term in volleyball. However, in Japan, my feeling is that it is not yet a shared understanding among those involved in the sport.

I only learned about this concept myself about five years ago, so it’s a very recent discovery for me. It also took me a while to fully understand it, and I may not have mastered it completely even now.

So, why hasn’t this concept caught on in Japan? The main reason may be that a deeply ingrained concept already exists here that serves as a substitute.

That concept is the “A-pass.”

The diagram above illustrates the concept of an “A-pass.” While there are various definitions, you can think of it as follows:

• A-pass: A pass that goes directly to the setter’s designated position.
• B-pass: A pass that requires the setter to take one or two steps to set.
• C-pass: A pass that requires the setter to move a longer distance than a B-pass.

When I was a player, and even when I coached in a high school before, I believe I was a “proponent of the A-pass.” My entire view of volleyball—how I played and coached—was based on this concept.

I believe the biggest reason the “slots” concept hasn’t spread in Japan is that the “A-pass-first” mentality is the majority view.

“Slots” vs. “A-Pass”: A Comparison of Philosophies

First, let’s compare the two diagrams below. What are the key differences?

If you compare the two, you’ll notice a completely different approach to “setting.”

The concept of setting in the “slots” model (Diagram 1) can be described as “accommodating.” Here, the setting location is a “space.”

In contrast, the concept of setting in the “A-pass” model (Diagram 2) can be described as “unforgiving.” In this model, the setting location is a “point.”

From the perspective of setting, “slots” and “A-pass” can be seen as opposing concepts. Now, let’s consider the negative consequences of an “A-pass-first” mentality.

The Negative Consequences of an “A-Pass-First” Mentality

I hope that you’ll understand why being overly focused on an “A-pass” can compromise the conditions necessary for an effective setting.

An effective set requires three main conditions:

If these three conditions are met, a team can launch an offense from an advantageous situation against the opponent’s defense.

However, when a team is too focused on returning an “A-pass,” it’s highly likely that these three conditions will be compromised.

Let’s consider receiver’s feeling. What do they think when their sole purpose is to make an “A-pass”? The “A-pass-first” mentality emphasizes a high level of precision in where the ball is returned. To pass a precise spot, a receiver often makes the ball travel in a straight, direct line (because it’s easier than passing a parabola).

This means the ball gets from the receiver to the setter’s position in the shortest amount of time. This shortens the ball’s flight time, which in turn robs the setter and attackers of valuable time to prepare. As a result, the conditions for an effective setting cannot be met.

What happens when the entire team is obsessed with the “A-pass”? The receiver will feel an immense amount of pressure.

“If we don’t get an ‘A-pass,’ we can’t create a good offense. The ‘A-pass’ reception rate only will decide the outcome of the game.”

This kind of excessive pressure can actually lower the receiver’s performance. The attackers (especially middle blockers) might begin to believe, “If the pass isn’t a perfect ‘A-pass,’ I can’t participate in the offense.” This misconception can prevent attackers who would otherwise be able to attack from doing so.

The Importance of the “Slots” Concept

Now, let’s consider the importance of adopting the “slots” concept in place of the “A-pass.”

The “slots” concept is based on the idea of “accommodating” the set, and the location of the set is a “space.” This allows a player to relax while receiving because they simply need to get the ball into the “set space,” unlike the pinpoint precision required for an “A-pass.”

This creates a mental cushion: “It’s okay as long as I get the ball into about Slot 0. A little variation is fine.” With this mental room, players can focus on returning a parabolic pass with a longer flight time, which provides the setter and attackers with the necessary time to prepare, a crucial condition for an effective set.

Most importantly, if the entire team understands the “slots” concept, they will know that as long as the ball is returned with a good parabola near Slot 0, the conditions for an effective set are met. This will give them a high probability of launching an offense from a situation of advantage against the opponent.

How a Change in Concepts Can Change Your Perspective

I’ve compared the two concepts here with two main goals in my mind:

While I’ve argued for the “slots” concept in this article, I want to remember that it is not the one and only perfect answer. My understanding of volleyball may change again as I continue to study. I am always aware that I should keep learning.

I will continue to face volleyball with sincerity, always reminding myself of the simple truth that what I know right now is not all there is to know.