Guide to Volleyball: What Each Player Does on the Court

What is volleyball?

Volleyball is a sport that is usually played by two teams each comprising of 6 players that use their hands to hit the ball back and forth over a high net, to try and land the ball on the other side of the court before the opponents can return it. That is why these six positions in the Volleyball Court are very important because each one position contributes to the success of the team. Volleyball is a very competitive sport that requires athletic ability and quick thinking as the game tends to be very fast paced. But what positions can be found in a volleyball team? First the team of six players consists of the setter, outside hitter, opposite hitter, middle blocker, libero, and defensive specialist. These six players all stand on specific spots on the court at the start of the game but throughout the game, as the team wins back the serve from the opposing side the teams rotate on the court or change their positions. But what do each of these positions actually do in a game? 

Setter:

Well, the setter is one of the main contributors to the offense of the volleyball team as they are the ones that get the ball to a teammate. Communication between the setter and team members is important because they make sure that everyone is on the same page as setters typically try to figure out the weaknesses of the opponent’s defense to set up an attack. Oftentimes the setter will use hand signals to communicate with their team members about such matters. 

Outside Hitter: 

Outside Hitter is also known as the left-side hitter or pin and is a lead attacker in the offensive strategy. To be a good hitter you must be able to jump high, hit the ball hard, move quickly, and be ready to adapt. They also need to be good at passers and defenders, and they often return serves, so generally they can be considered all-rounders. 

Opposite Hitter: 

The Opposite Hitter also known as the right-side hitter are players that have a good balance of both offense and defense. They often have many opportunities to hit the ball so having a really good jumping ability is crucial. But what really makes them special is their defensive responsibility. 

Middle Blocker: 

The Middle Blocker, also known as the middle hitter, is the typically the tallest player on the volleyball team. Their main focus is on guarding the net and blocking the spikes from the other team, but they can also make quick attacks. 

Libero:

Libero typically plays only on the backside of the court and are ideal for receiving hits from the opposite team. Liberos have set rules they need to follow like not attacking the ball at the net, , playing a set for an attacker from the front, and they specialize in receiving serves. They are also used to set for when a setter can’t get to the ball. A way to tell liberos apart is that they wear a different colored jersey from the rest of the team. 

Defensive Specialist: 

Defensive specialist much like a libero is great at receiving serves and digging but what sets them apart from the rest of the team is that their ability to substitute any player on the court. Defensive specialist typically focuses on ball control and passing or coordinating with the libero. Oftentimes coaches use defense specialist during high-pressure situations, like receiving from a strong server. 

By: Joselyn Zaragoza