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Volleyball: Player Positions

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Volleyball Player Positions Volleyball Rules Volleyball Strategy Volleyball Glossary

In volleyball there are 6 players on each side. Three of the players are positioned on the front court and three on the back court. Players have to rotate clockwise whenever their team wins serve so their positions on the court will change. However, their positions on the team may remain somewhat the same with a certain players always being responsible for setting, digging, or attacking. Typically players in the front row will be attackers and blockers, while players in the back row will be passers, diggers, and setters. However, these roles are not set in stone and different teams may employ different volleyball strategies.


Players attempting to block a shot
Source: US Air Force
Here is a list of typical volleyball positions and the roles they play on the team:

Setter

The setter's main job is to put the ball in the perfect place for the attackers. Typically they will take a pass from another player and take the second touch. They will try to put the ball softly in the air at just the right height for an attacker to spike the ball into the opponent's court. The setter also runs the offense. They have to be quick both physically (to get to the ball) and also mentally (to decide where and who to set the ball to). The volleyball position setter is much like the point guard in basketball.

Middle Blocker

This volleyball position is both the main blocker and the attacker for the middle of the net. Top level teams will often have 2 players playing this position on the court at the same time.


Player setting the ball
Source: US Air Force
Outside Hitter

The outside hitter is focused on the left side of the court and is generally the main attacking position. They tend to get most of the sets and most of the attacking shots in the game.

Weekside Hitter

The weekside hitter is positioned on the right side of the court. This is the backup attacker. Their primary job is blocking against the other team's outside hitter.

Liberos

The volleyball position responsible for defense is the liberos. This player will generally receive the serve or dig the attack. There are unique rules for this position as well. They wear a different color jersey from the rest of the team and they can substitute for any player on the court generally replacing a player on the back row.

Volleyball Position Skills

The hitters, attackers, and blockers are generally tall players that can jump high. They need to be able to jump above the net for spikes and blocks. Setters and liberos players need to be quick and able to pass and set the ball with a lot of control.

Volleyball Player Positions Volleyball Rules Volleyball Strategy Volleyball Glossary

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