When you start playing volleyball, one of the crucial things you will learn is volleyball and rotations on the volleyball court. Once you have these two at your fingertips, pretty much everything will come easy, as volleyball is centered on the two concepts.
This post will cover the two concepts and how they affect each other.
Volleyball Position
The action on the court can be crazy with hits, blocks, digs coming your way fast. The secret to getting a win under these circumstances has a well-coordinated team, with each player staying true to their position.
So what are the various volleyball positions and rotations, and what is the role of each?
Outside hitter
Also known as the left-side hitter, this player attacks from the left antenna. This position requires a player who can jump. Responsibilities include blocking with the middle blocker, playing in both front and back row, read the opponent’s defense and call out hitter, and are the primary passers.
Libero
This position is all about defense. This player only plays in the back row and receives the attack or serve. This player replaces certain players in the back row, receives the opponent’s serve, digs an opponent’s attack, and sets the ball if the setter isn’t available.
Middle hitter
This player hits from the middle of the court and tends to be the tallest in the team as they do most of the blocking. Middle blockers are responsible for blocking the middle hitter and helping block the outside hitters.
Right side hitter
This player hits the right side of the net and is responsible for setting the middle hitter block. Hence, they should keep an eye on the left side hitter to know where they are aiming.
Setter
This is the quarterback position of the team. This player identifies blockers, runs the offense, sets the ball for the teammates, and blocks the defense.
Volleyball Rotation
Rotation means you must rotate around positions as a team every time you win a point to have each player in their strongest position every time.
Each player rotates on one spot with the left front rotating to the middle front position while the middle front rotates to the right front position. On the other hand, the right-front rotates to the right-back position.
If the middle blocker starts in the left-front position, they can move to the middle position after the server is contacted. Switching to the position before the ball has been served means you are overlapping or ore out of position. The opponents get the point from an overlap.
Hence, the players need to be mindful of their positions and remain in the right place as far as their team is concerned.
How to avoid an overlap
• Left and right-side players must be keen on the players ahead and behind them in the rotation.
• The right-back must remain to the right of the middle back behind the right front
• The middle-front has to be the right of the left front, and to the right front and in front of the middle back in a T-shape formation.
