There are 6 main positions in a volleyball court and each serves the unique purpose for a team to succeed in the sport. In this extremely fast-paced action sport, there is so much more than just rotating around the court.
Despite being one of the most popular sports in the world, Volleyball may look like organized chaos to a casual viewer, but everyone on the team is playing their specific role and helping their team score points. This is the perfect time for you to learn more about the positions and roles of volleyball players.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the all volleyball positions and what makes them unique. We’ll delve into the responsibilities and skills required of each player, from setter to libero.
What are the Positions in Volleyball?
In an indoor volleyball team, there are six players. All players are assigned specific roles that players fulfill on the court during the game.
Positions in volleyball are categorized into three main types, and they are offense, defense, and setters. These positions represent specific locations on a volleyball court. These locations are fixed and do not change.
There are six specific spots on a volleyball court, which are referred to by their numbers. That is why most teams have 10 to 14 players on their roster, as coaches prefer to pick two players for one spot.
Volleyball Court Positions
There are six main positions in a volleyball court. Here is the list.
- Setter
- Outside Hitter
- Opposite Hitter
- Libero
- Middle Blocker
- Defensive Specialist
The players must stand in a certain area of the court at the start of each point. You can check out the image below for reference. The teams often rotate or change their starting court position, after they win back the serve from the other team.
Learning about the volleyball positions and roles makes this competitive sport seem like a completely different, specialized, and complicated game.
Now, let’s take a look at the individual volleyball positions and roles of this indoor sport.
1. Setter
A setter in volleyball is responsible for running their team’s offense by getting the ball to a teammate in the best position to make a shot. They are in charge of the second ball.
The main job of this player is to set a ball that is hit-able. They try to figure out a weakness in the opponent’s defense and then set a ball for attack. These players often use hand signals to communicate on the court with teammates.
Setter can also block, defend, pass, and even serve the ball when the situation arises.
Some Famous Players
- Micah Christenson
- Simone Gianelli
- Bruno Rezende
2. Outside Hitter
Outside hitter, also known as left-side hitter, is considered the central point of the offense and performs most of the attack hits from the front row position. An outside hitter is considered the most athletic player on the court.
Typically, the person responsible for this attack and block on the left side of the court. They also dabble in passing, defending, and sometimes serving as well. An outside hitter must have good back row skills and great jumping ability as well because sometimes they need to hit from the back row depending on where the ball is coming from.
Usually, outside hitters are right-handed, since they play on the left side of the court.
Some Famous Players
- Facundo Conte
- Jenia Grebennikov
3. Opposite Hitter
In a volleyball court, opposite hitters play from the right side and the name comes from being opposite to the outside hitters. They have the same goal as the outside hitter.
The main intent of opposite hitters is to hit the ball out of the front and back row. They can also get involved in passing and playing defense.
The position of opposite hitter must be filled by someone who is a physically strong athlete, as they need to jump high and focus on the offensive game.
Some Famous Players
- Tijana Bošković
- Ivan Zaytsev
- Sheilla Castro
4. Libero
In a volleyball game, the libero usually runs the defense. They are defensive players who are responsible for receiving the attack or serve. Usually, they hang at the back of the court. They are also the players with the quickest reaction time and best passing skills.
Also, libero wears a different jersey to contrast with his or her teammate’s jerseys. Also, depending on the rotation, libero also switches from inside to the outside of the court and the other way around.
They are not permitted to block or perform attacks. It means they never play the net, allowing shorter players with strong passing and defensive skills to prove their mettle.
Some Famous Players
- Justine Wong-Orantes
- Sergio Dutra Santos
- Brenda Castillo
5. Middle Blocker
As you can expect from the name, middle blockers are responsible for blocking shots at the net in the middle. They attack the ball from the front row.
They must stop fast plays from their opponents and then quickly set up a double block at the sides of the court. Sometimes middle blockers also need to set the ball. The middle sets are some of the most difficult to set and require good passes. That is why middle blockers often have the best hitting percentage as opposed to sets.
Some Famous Players
- Dmitriy Muserskiy
- Robertlandy Simon
- Lucas Saatkamp
- Sebastian Sole
6. Defensive Specialist
Out of all volleyball positions, a defensive specialist is someone that teams may or may not use, depending on the situation. In volleyball, there are unlimited substitutions and teams can make use of a defensive specialist in place or in addition to a libero.
Just like a libero, a defensive specialist excels at receiving serves and digging. They can substitute for any player or volleyball court positions.
It all depends on a team’s strategy when to use a defensive specialist. Most coaches use them in high-pressure situations. They might use them to counter a strong server on the other team.
Some Famous Players
- Bruno Rezende
- Paweł Zatorski
- Aleksey Verbov
Conclusion
So, there you have it. It is a complete overview of all the positions in volleyball. It may not be the hardest sport in the world, but it sure is one of the most complicated. In a game of volleyball, each player has a unique role assigned to them whenever they enter the court. Each role requires special skills to contribute to the success of the team.
FAQs
What is the most important position in volleyball?
Ans: The setter is the main contributor to the offense of a volleyball team.
What is the hardest position in volleyball?
Ans: It can be debated but outside hitter is considered the hardest position in volleyball.
How many positions are there in volleyball?
Ans: There are six main positions in volleyball and they are: libero, setter, outside hitter, opposite hitter, middle blocker, and defensive specialist.
Do liberos serve?
Ans: Yes, they are allowed to replace the player in the serving position. But it all depends on whether they are capable of it or not.
