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Dive or
pancake
COURT POSITIONS
Basics of volleyball positions on the
court
There are three players in each zone.
• Front row players are players who are allowed to
block the opponent and attack the ball in the attack
zone.
• Back row players are players who play defense by
digging the opponent’s attacks and attacking the ball
behind the attack line (3-meter line, 10 feet line).
• Players are rotating clockwise on the court after
winning the rally after the opponent’s serve.
Court positions and
rotations
 Setters
• They aim for the second touch and their main
responsibility is to place the ball in the air where
the attackers can place the ball into the opponent’s
court for a point. Setters need to have a swift and
skillful appraisal and tactical accuracy and must be
quick at moving around the court.

• The setter is the playmaker, point

guard or quarterback of the volleyball team.
Volleyball Positions - Setter A setter’s responsibility
is to run the team’s offense and build up offensive
scoring opportunities for the team.
 Setters
• The setter plays both front row and
back row, therefore s/he needs to be able to block,
serve and play defense.

• The setter needs to have good

blocking skills because, in the front row position,
s/he plays against the opponents outside hitter
who often carries a big load of the attacking
responsibility for the team.

• The setter plays the right front or the

right back position.
 Liberos
They are defensive players who are responsible
for receiving the attack or serve. They are usually the
players on the court with the quickest reaction time
and best passing skills. Since playing in the back
court only, the libero needs to have the best passing
and defensive skills in the team.

The libero is a back row specialist who is allowed

to play back court only.

The libero wears a different color shirt in the

team and is allowed to enter and exit the game
without substitution request.
 Liberos
The libero can replace any player on
the court and most often replaces middle
blockers.

The libero is not allowed to serve the

ball.

The libero need to have exceptional

serve receive skills because often they
pass a larger area than other serve
receivers in the team.
LIBEROS
 Middle blockers or
Middle hitters
The middle blocker’s main responsibility
is to stop the opponent’s offense.
They are players that can perform very
fast attacks that usually take place near the
setter.
They specialized in blocking.
Middle blockers or
Middle hitters
 Outside hitters or Left
side hitters
The outside Hitter is the player who carries
the serve and receives responsibility along with
the libero.
They attack from near the left antenna. The
outside hitter is usually the most consistent
hitter on the team and gets the most sets.
Playing on the outside hitter’s position
requires great all-around skills because they
play through the front row and the back row.
Outside hitters or Left
side hitters
 Opposite hitters or
Right side hitters
They carry the defensive workload for a
volleyball team in the front row. Their primary
responsibilities are to put up a well formed block
against the opponents Outside Hitters and serve as a
backup setter.
The opposite hitter is the player who most often
scores the most points in the team.
Opposite hitters don’t have the passing
responsibilities. They stand behind the passers on
the rotation while libero and outside hitters pass the
ball and place themselves to the left front, right front
or right back playing position. Volleyball Positions -
Opposite Hitter
 Opposite hitters or
Right side hitters
The opposite usually get the most sets in the
game.
Right side hitter has the similar role than outside
hitter, they play front row and back row and are
carrying pass, attack, block, serve and defense
responsibilities. Volleyball Positions - Right Side
Hitter - Position 2
Right side hitters aim to place themselves to
the right front playing position.
Opposite hitters or
Right side hitters