Volleyball is a team sport! Each player within the team of 6 is tasked with a specific role to bolster and cover for each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Due to court rotations, however, players may not always be in the optimal court positions to serve their team roles. It is encouraged that players learn and grow in more than one aspect in order to adapt to each situation. 

 

Outside Hitter/Opposite Hitter

They are the main sources of offence on the court. Often situated on the left and right side of the court respectively, these players are expected to be the main driving force behind point scoring.

 

Players assigned the Outside Hitter position are most often those which have displayed excellent offensive play while balancing a decent level of expertise in receives. 

 

Opposite Hitters who take on the front right side of the court on the other hand should hold a decent amount of defence as they would be required to assist the middle blocker in shutting down the opposing team’s outside hitter or playing back up setter. 

Note: for ease of roles and mechanics, the Outside Hitters and Opposite Hitters will both use (OH) as their abbreviations.)

 

Setter

This player stands at the centre of each offensive decision the team makes. Per their namesake, their primary role involves setting the balls up to the hitters to spike. The quality of a set can make or break what may be a crushing attack on an opposing team. Thus, Setters are expected to have a good command of the court’s situation in each moment, to understand the tempo of their teammates and hold excellent ball control.

 

Middle Blocker

The first line of defence across the net. A Middle Blockers’ homeground is the front centre of the net where they’re expected to read the opposing team’s setter and hitters in order to effectively block incoming attacks. Those in this position would ideally be one of the tallest players and have one of the quickest reaction times to both effectively defend and slip through a quick spike should the setter find that they’re in optimal position. 

 

Libero

Liberos are the core of a volleyball team’s defence once the ball gets through the blockers. They are often the player that moves around the court the most in efforts to save the ball through digs and dives. Qualities expected of Liberos involve speed, stamina and excellent receive and passing skills.

 

Due to the nature of their role on the court, they are governed by an additional set of rules which do not apply to other players on the team. Liberos primarily serve as back row defence and are not allowed to block the ball nor attack from a height where the ball is still above the net. Liberos, however, are allowed to serve, set and may freely substitute for players in the team without penalty to the substitution count. 

 

Liberos stand out from their teammates through a contrasting uniform colour and only 1 Libero from each team may stand upon the court at any time. 

 

Note: We will be diverting from real life Libero rules for our mechanics. Please check in with our mechanics doc for the limitations and allowances to the Libero role.

 

Defensive Specialist

Defensive Specialists are players that have proven to be proficient in defensive maneuvers, ball control and strategy. They are most often known to be flexible with their role and well balanced in their skillset. 

 

Though often confused with the Libero, they are not limited by the same rules. Their substitutions will count toward the team’s overall, they are able to play in the front row, and are expected to have some proficiency in blocks as well. They are often deployed to make up for any shortfalls within the team. Experienced Defensive Specialists are able to adjust to opponents’ offence, make predictive moves, and help build momentum toward the team’s offence.