Types of Player

Download as doc, pdf, or txt
Download as doc, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 6

Types of players volleyball

Outside Hitter (also called wing spiker, left side)

Outside Hitter is the player who carries the serve receive responsibility along with the libero.

Outside hitter most often attacks the balls which setter sets to the antenna to the left side of the court.
Volleyball Positions - Outside Hitter - Position 4Therefore after the serve outside hitters place
themselves to the left front position. Sometimes setters run offensive plays in which outside hitters run
to hit balls “inside” around the middle blockers.

Outside hitters play both the front row and the back row. In modern high level volleyball outside hitters
are responsible for hitting the 3 meter or 10 feet line attacks, usually from the middle back position
when playing in the back row.

Playing on the outside hitter’s position requires great all around skills because they play through the
front row and the back row. Volleyball Positions - Outside Hitter
Wing spikers have to have the skills to pass, attack, block, serve and play defense.

Wing spikers along with the opposites are often players who score the most points in the game.

Outside hitter’s passing responsibility makes them extremely important player for the team.

Right side hitter (also called wing spiker)

Right side hitter has the similar role than outside hitter, they play front row and back row and are
carrying pass, attack, block, serve and defense responsibilities.

Volleyball Positions - Right Side Hitter - Position 2

Right side hitters aim to place themselves to the right front playing position.

When playing top level international volleyball on the back court right side hitters often have 3 meter or
10 feet attack responsibility from the middle back position.

Right side hitter can be also called a wing spiker.

Opposite Hitter

The opposite hitter is the player who most often scores the most points in the team.
Opposite hitters don’t have the passing responsibilities. They stand behind the passers on the rotation
while libero and outside hitters pass the ball and
place themselves to the left front, right front or right
back playing position.

Volleyball Positions - Opposite Hitter

The opposite usually get the most sets in the game.

Often counter attack sets after the defensive play go to the opposite hitters - they carry the
responsibility of hitting the ball against a solid block when the pass is off the net.

Opposites need to have great blocking skills since they play against the opposite hitter of the opponent
or opponent's outside hitter when in the front row.

Opposites also need to have defensive skills because they also play the back row where they are
responsible of hitting 3 meter or 10 feet balls from the right back position.

In professional volleyball opposites along with setters have traditionally been the highest paid
individuals - those are volleyball positions in most demand.

Setter

The setter is the playmaker, point guard or the quarterback of the volleyball team. Volleyball Positions -
SetterA setter’s responsibility is to run the team’s offense and build up offensive scoring opportunities
for the team.

The setter plays both front row and back row, therefore s/he needs to be able to block, serve and play
defense.
The setter needs to have good blocking skills because
in front row position s/he plays against the opponent’s
outside hitter who often carries big load of the
attacking responsibility for the team.

The setter plays the right front or the right back position

Middle Blocker (Center, Middle, Middle


Hitter)

Middle blockers main responsibility is to stop


the opponent’s offense.

Positions - Middle Blocker

The middle blocker builds a block which stops the ball, or allows the team to dig the ball up.

Middle blockers' job is to stop the opponent’s middle hitters or wing hitters in co-operation with
teammates.
Middle blockers need to have great blocking, attacking and serving skills.

Middle Blockers in the Back Row:

In competitive volleyball middle blockers usually play defense only on one rotation - after an own serve.
After losing the rally after an own serving turn, a libero usually comes in and replaces the middle
blocker.

The middle blocker usually don’t master in defense because they hardly play any of it. However, at
junior level practicing defense and even passing is very recommended for the middles. Junior coaches
should allow players to practice all the skills equally to ensure their overall skill development. This
improves their athleticism and prepares players to play other positions - i.e. they may not be tall enough
to play middle in the future.

Libero

The libero is fairly new position in volleyball.


The libero is a back row specialist who is
allowed to play back court only.

Volleyball Positions - Libero

The libero wears a different color shirt in the team and is allowed to enter and exit the game without
substitution request.

The libero can replace any player on the court and most often replaces middle blockers.
The libero is not allowed to serve the ball. (Some leagues in US allow liberos to serve.)

Since playing in the back court only, the libero needs to have the best passing and defensive skills in the
team. The libero need to have exceptional serve receive skills because often they pass a larger area than
other serve receivers in the team.

Libero most often plays the left back position.

Defensive Specialist Most leagues in United States allow


unlimited substitutions; therefore very often in the team there
are defensive specialists.

Volleyball Positions - Defensive Specialist

Defensive specialists in US enter the game to replace players who in international volleyball would be
playing both the front and the back row.

Defensive specialists carry a serve receive and defense responsibility in the back row.

Defensive specialists are allowed to serve and often play the full back row rotation before giving the
spot in the front row to the offensive player again.

You might also like