Volleyball Positions!

Outside Hitter (aka OH, outside, pin, left side)

• On the left side of the court, an outside hitter hits and blocks. When they reach the back row, they typically are also responsible for passing and playing defense. Due to the outside set being one of the simpler alternatives to set, the outside often receives the most sets, especially when the setter is out of system. Aside from playing left or middle-back defense, an outside's duties also include hitting from the front and back rows, serving and receiving, throwing, and blocking.

Opposite Hitter (aka OPP, pin, right side)

• The term "opposite hitters" refers to players who hit behind the setter and are opposite to the strong (left) side batter. An opposite in a 6-1 has the flexibility to play all around the field, passing, playing defense, and hitting from the back row, just like an outside hitter. The duties of an opposite include blocking the outside hitter of the other team, swinging from the front and back rows, and playing right-back defense.

Middle Blocker (aka MB, middle hitter, middle)

• The team's greatest blockers are middle hitters, who typically attack fast-paced sets from the middle of the court and behind the setter. When rotating to the back row, the libero typically attacks the middle. Middles frequently receive the fewest sets but have the highest hitting percentages because middle sets can be some of the hardest to arrange and need good passes.

Setter (aka S)

• The main duty of a setter is to take the second ball and position it for one of the hitters to strike. The setter, sometimes known as the quarterback, is in charge of making decisions for the team and directing the offensive. In a 6-1, the setter plays every position, which entails both defensive and blocking responsibilities when in the front row. Setting the ball on the second contact to the hitters on the court, running the offense, playing right-back defense, and blocking the outside hitter of the other team are all duties of the setter.

Libero (aka L)

• Liberos play in the back row during five of the six revolutions and wear a different-colored jersey. They typically fill in for both middle blocks. It does not count as a substitution when the libero takes the place of another player. Liberos are defensive and serve-receive experts who can shift directions swiftly. They are usually quick players. Liberos can only overhand set a front-row attacker from behind the 10-foot line and are not allowed to assault the ball from above the height of the net.

Defensive Specialists (aka DS)

• Similar to a libero, a defensive specialist sits in the back row and serves as well as plays defense. They are only in for three out of the six rotations since, unlike the libero, they do not wear different-colored jerseys and must comply by the standard substitution restrictions.

Serving Specialist (aka SS)

• A player who fills in solely to serve is known as a serving specialist. These players often have a very strong or consistent serve, and they replace a player who is otherwise very beneficial to have on the court as an offensive or defensive threat but who is less strong behind the service line.