Volleyball Positions: Here’s a List

 

Each team in volleyball has six players on the court, and every player has a specific role, depending on their position. The players who play these positions might rotate, but the position will never be unoccupied. Some players will also fill in as specialists, utilizing their specific skill set to benefit their team.

In this post, we’ll discuss the different positions on a volleyball court.

Setters

A setter is also called the team’s quarterback in volleyball as they’re a vital team player. They’re skilled passers on teams with top-notch communication skills to converse with their teammates.

A setter will often play in the back row so that the players in the front have plenty of space to hit the volleyball. However, this position depends on the formation. In some formations, there can be two setters positioned opposite each other. This formation makes it easier for a setter to reach the starting pass quickly.

In addition, in other formations, the setters can also keep shuffling to reach the front row.

Liberos

Liberos are the most energetic players on a volleyball court and are often considered the facilitators of their team. Whether it’s playing defense or passing, these players possess great skills.

Unlike the rest of the team members, liberos wear different colored jerseys that make them stand out from the rest. This color distinction is often due to the rules they have to follow. For instance, libero substitutions aren’t limited to a certain number and aren’t treated as others in the game. Moreover, they can’t block or attack from above the volleyball net during the game.

Considering these rules and regulations, liberos are entirely engaged in passing and defensive activities on the court.

Middle Blockers

Middle blockers or hitters are the tallest on the team and help in blocking all of the opposite team’s hitters. Players in this position are in charge of making quick attacks while blocking the opposite team’s attacks.

Middle blockers aren’t usually the best passers on a volleyball team. As a result, liberos or other players often replace them once they reach the back row in their courtside.

Outside Hitters

Outside hitters take up the left side of the volleyball court and often hit the volleyball in the air to offer their team an opportunity to score. Although these hitters can play in the back row, they often play in the front.

Outside hitters must be capable of passing the volleyball to their team members for a spike or spiking the ball themselves. That’s why these players need to have strong jumping skills.

Opposite Hitter

Unlike the outside hitters, the opposite hitter occupies the court’s right side and shares similar responsibilities as the outside hitter. However, the difference between them is opposite hitter will set up at the back of the setter.

Opposite hitters are in charge of blocking the opposing team's outside hitters and sometimes middle hits. They are often left-handed, unlike outside hitters, making these players critical to a team's success.

Specialists

While volleyball has 6 core positions on the court, some players become their team’s specialists. They’re often their team’s saving grace and are of two types: defensive and serving specialist.

Defensive Specialists

Both teams are incomplete without a defensive specialist. As their name indicates, these players are excellent at defending and preventing the opposing team from scoring. Defensive specialists are agile and have a good speed, boosting their game. In addition, they’re good passers too.

Serving Specialists

The second specialist type is serving specialists. These specialists' skill set focuses on their serving capabilities. In fact, many get on the court to serve. Although these players are primarily brought in to serve, they’ll almost certainly have to play defense and pass if the opposing team can hit the serve.

The serving specialist might be subbed out if the opposing team scores a point. Serving specialists are crucial to the team as they can minimize serving errors with their exceptional skills.

However, the serving team will be in a weaker defensive position since serving specialists aren’t good at playing defense.

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