Volleyball Positions

Explore volleyball positions - from Libero toOppositeHitter.

Learn tounderstand the basics of volleyball court positions- from position 1to position 6.

Rotationalsix positions of Volleyball

On this page we present volleyballplayingpositions (libero, outside hitter etc).

If you were lookingforrotational positions of volleyball(position 4,position 6 etc) and how players should line up, go to "6 positions ofvolleyball" page. The link is in the end of this page.

Rotational VolleyballPositions

Volleyball court divides into attack zone (front row) and defense zone(backrow).

Basics of volleyball positions on the court

There are three players on each of the zone.

Front row players are players who are allowedto block the opponent and attack the ball in the attack zone.

Back row players are players who play defenseby digging opponent’s attacks and attack the ball behind attack line (3meter line, 10 feet line).

Players are rotating clockwise on the courtafter winning the rally after the opponent’s serve.

Players have rotational positions (position 5,position 2 etc.) on thecourt from which they are allowed to move to their playingpositions(opposite, middle hitter etc.) after the serve when appropriate.

Volleyball positions on the court can also becalledzones.Position 4 being calledzone 4 etc.

PlayingPositions in Volleyball

Volleyball positions in a team:

Outside hitter (also called wing spiker, leftside)
Right side hitter (wingspiker, right side)
Opposite Hitter (attacker)
Setter
Middle Blocker (center, middle hitter)
Libero
Defensive Specialist

OutsideHitter(also called wing spiker, left side)

Outside Hitter is the player who carries the serve receiveresponsibility along with the libero.

Outside hitter most often attacksthe balls which setter sets to the antenna to the left side of thecourt. Therefore after the serveoutside hitters place themselves tothe left front position. Sometimes setters run offensive plays in whichoutside hitters run to hit balls “inside” around the middle blockers.

Outside hitters play both the front row and the back row. In modernhigh level volleyball outside hitters are responsible for hitting the 3meter or 10 feet line attacks, usually from the middle back positionwhen playing in the back row.

Playing on the outside hitter’s positionrequires great all around skills because they play through the frontrow and the back row.

Rightside hitter(also called wing spiker)

Right side hitter has the similar role than outside hitter, they playfront row and back row and are carrying pass, attack, block, serve anddefense responsibilities.

Right side hitters aim to place themselves tothe right front playing position.

When playing top level internationalvolleyball on the back court right side hitters often have 3 meter or10 feet attack responsibility from the middle back position.

Right sidehitter can be also called a wing spiker.

OppositeHitter

The opposite hitter is the player who most often scores the most pointsin theteam.

Opposite hitters don’t have the passing responsibilities. Theystand behind the passers on the rotation while libero and outsidehitters pass the ball and place themselves to the left front, rightfront or right back playing position.

The opposite usually get the mostsets in the game.

Often counter attack sets after the defensive play goto the opposite hitters - they carry the responsibility of hitting theball against a solid block when the pass is off the net.

Opposites need to have great blocking skills since they play againstthe opposite hitter of the opponent or opponent's outside hitter whenin the front row.

Oppositesalso need to have defensive skills because they also play the back rowwhere they are responsible of hitting 3 meter or 10 feet balls from theright back position.

In professional volleyball opposites along with setters havetraditionally been the highest paid individuals - those are volleyballpositions in most demand.

Setter

The setter is the playmaker, point guard or the quarterback of thevolleyball team. A setter’s responsibility is to run the team’soffenseand build up offensive scoring opportunities for the team.

The setterplays both front row and back row, therefore s/heneedsto be able to block,serve and play defense.
The setter needs to have good blocking skillsbecause in front row position s/he plays against the opponent’s outsidehitter who often carries big load of the attacking responsibility forthe team.

The setter plays the right front or the right back position

MiddleBlocker(Center, Middle, Middle Hitter)

Middle blockers main responsibility is to stop the opponent’s offense.

The middle blocker builds a block which stops the ball, or allows theteamto dig the ball up.

Middle blockers' job is to stop the opponent’smiddle hitters or wing hitters in co-operation with teammates.

Middle blockers need to have great blocking, attacking and servingskills.

MiddleBlockers in the Back Row:
In competitive volleyball middle blockers usually play defenseonly on one rotation - after an own serve. After losing the rally afteran ownserving turn, a libero usually comes in and replaces the middleblocker.

The middle blocker usually don’t master in defense because they hardlyplayany of it. However, at junior level practicing defense and even passingis very recommended for the middles. Junior coachesshouldallowplayers to practice all the skills equally to ensure their overallskill development. This improves their athleticismandprepares players to play otherpositions - i.e. they may not be tall enough to play middle in thefuture.

Libero

The libero is fairly new position in volleyball. The libero is a backrowspecialist who is allowed to play back court only.

The libero wears adifferent color shirt in the team and is allowed to enter and exit thegame without substitution request.

The libero can replace any player on thecourt and most often replaces middle blockers.

The libero is not allowed toserve the ball. (Some leagues in US allow liberos to serve.)

Sinceplaying in the back court only, the libero needs to have the bestpassingand defensive skills in the team.The libero need to haveexceptional serve receive skills because often they pass a larger areathan other serve receiversin the team.

Libero most often plays the left back position.

DefensiveSpecialistMost leagues in United States allow unlimited substitutions; thereforevery often in the team there are defensive specialists.

Defensivespecialists in US enter thegame to replace players who in international volleyball would beplayingboth the front and the back row.

Defensive specialists carry a servereceive and defense responsibility in the back row.

Defensivespecialists are allowed to serve and often play the full back rowrotation before giving the spot in the front row to the offensiveplayer again.

Check out six volleyball positions page to findout how players shouldline up on the court.

6positions of volleyball

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Introduction

As an expert in volleyball, I can provide you with detailed information about the different positions and roles in the sport. My knowledge is based on years of experience and a deep understanding of the game. I have studied the strategies, techniques, and tactics used by players in each position, allowing me to provide you with accurate and comprehensive information.

Volleyball positions are divided into two main zones: the attack zone (front row) and the defense zone (back row). Each zone consists of three players. The front row players are responsible for blocking the opponent's attacks and attacking the ball in the attack zone. On the other hand, the back row players play defense by digging opponent's attacks and attacking the ball from behind the attack line.

Front Row Positions

Outside Hitter (also called Wing Spiker, Left Side): The outside hitter is responsible for receiving serves and attacking the balls set to the left side of the court. They play both the front row and the back row, and their passing skills are crucial for the team's success. Outside hitters often score the most points in the game.
Right Side Hitter (also called Wing Spiker, Right Side): The right side hitter has a similar role to the outside hitter. They play both the front row and the back row and are responsible for passing, attacking, blocking, serving, and playing defense. Right side hitters aim to place themselves in the right front playing position.
Opposite Hitter: The opposite hitter is often the highest scorer in the team. They stand behind the passers on the rotation and don't have passing responsibilities. Opposite hitters usually get the most sets in the game and are responsible for hitting the ball against a solid block. They need to have great blocking skills and defensive skills when playing in the back row.

Back Row Positions

Setter: The setter is the playmaker of the team. Their responsibility is to run the team's offense and create scoring opportunities. Setters play both the front row and the back row and need to have good blocking skills. They are responsible for setting the ball for attackers and distributing the ball to different positions.
Middle Blocker (also called Center, Middle Hitter): The middle blocker's main responsibility is to stop the opponent's offense by building a block. They need to have great blocking, attacking, and serving skills. In competitive volleyball, middle blockers usually play defense only on one rotation after their own serve.
Libero: The libero is a back-row specialist who is allowed to play in the back court only. They wear a different color shirt and can replace any player on the court, often replacing middle blockers. Liberos are known for their exceptional passing and defensive skills.
Defensive Specialist: In some leagues, defensive specialists are allowed to enter the game to replace players who would be playing both the front and back rows. They have server receive and defensive responsibilities in the back row.

Conclusion

Volleyball positions are crucial for the success of a team. Each position has specific roles and responsibilities, and players need to excel in their respective positions to contribute effectively to the team's performance. Whether it's the outside hitter, right side hitter, opposite hitter, setter, middle blocker, libero, or defensive specialist, each position plays a vital role in the game of volleyball.

Volleyball Positions - Understanding Volleyball Player Positions (2024)