Player specialization and Court Positions in Volleyball

Volleyball positions on a team consist of 3 front row players and 3 back row players. Players positioned in the front row are referred to be attackers, blockers, and a setter. Whereas Players in the back row are entitled as passers and diggers.

On a side out, the players on the team that won the rally rotate positions clockwise around the court. Advanced volleyball teams may run an offense where the same setter sets in every rotation. Also, sophisticated teams may have back row players attack from
the backcourt.

Player specialization:

Setters

The setter is the player on the volleyball team that acts as team’s attacker. A setter just assumes the role of a quarterback in football or a point guard in basketball in the sense that the setter runs the teams offense. Some teams may choose to have multiple
setters run the team offense.  

Outside Hitter

Teams outside hitters are generally the key attackers on the team. These hitters attack balls that are set to the left side of the court. Outside hitters may also be referred to as outside blockers. 

Weakside Hitter

Team’s weak side hitters hit from the right side of the court and are typically not the chief attackers on the team. They may also be referred to as weakside blockers or right side hitters. 

Middle Hitter

Team’s middle hitters hit balls set at the net in the middle of the court. Middle hitters are sometimes the primary attackers on the team. Middle hitters are commonly used as a trick to perplex the opposing team’s blockers. A middle hitter is also referred
to as a middle blocker. Middle blockers are often in charge of front row players to coordinate team blocking strategy. Every team comes to arena with two middle hitters.

Libero

The libero is the most important castle in strong defense and efficient passing. Who can come into the game and replace any player on the back row. That’s why libero is called a defensive specialist or DS. They are usually the players with quickest passing
skills and fast reaction time. A person designated as a libero may not play on any other position during the match. Liberos wear a different color jersey than their teammates.

 

Court Positions:

Right Back

The player acting as a right back is placed in the backcourt on right side of the court in the rotation position. At the start of the rally, this is the player that starts in Zone 1. When a team rotates, it’s the player rotating to the right back position that
goes back to serve.

Right Front

Right front is a position at the net on right side of the court. The player that is right front is in the rotation in a clockwise direction. At the start of the rally, this is the player that starts in Zone 2.

Middle Front

The player that is middle front is in the rotation position at the net in the center. At the start of the rally, this is the player that starts in Zone 3 and then keeps on revolving in a counter clockwise direction in each serving.

Left Front

The player that is left front is in the clockwise rotation position at the net on left side of the court. At the start of the rally, this is the player that starts in Zone 4.

Left Back

Left back is a position in the backcourt on the left side of the court in the rotation position. At the start of the rally, this is the player that starts in Zone 5.

Middle Back

The player that is middle back is in the rotation position in the backcourt in the middle. At the start of the rally, this is the player that starts in Zone 6.