Indoor Volleyball: What Is Each Position On A Volleyball Team?

ByScotty Jenkins

3 min read

Indoor Volleyball: What Is Each Position On A Volleyball Team?

Why does a volleyball team have 12-15 players on a roster but only six on the court? Most players have a specialized position that they will sub into the game for. So what are these positions and who usually plays them?


The Setter (S):

You may hear setters referred to as the “quarterback” of volleyball. They will typically be a team leader, as they usually touch the ball in every single play. They take the 1st contact pass, listen to what the hitters are calling for, and set a hittable ball to another player. In most offenses, the setter plays from the right-back and release to set after playing defense. Setters have to have the most knowledge of the game, as they run the entire offense on the fly. Selflessness is another great quality in skilled setters. Rarely does a crowd stand up a roar because of a good set, but without them, the big impressive hits never happen.


Outside Hitter (OH):

Every time the team gets into a panic, a high outside set is what gets them back into the game. The outside hitter is typically the “outlet” player that is ready to attack the ball under all circumstances. They play from the left front and typically block and pick up tips on defense. These players may be the shorter of the hitters on your team, but they have to have a great vertical and be quick and athletic. Many times outside hitters have more of an opportunity to play all the way around because they are well-rounded players.


Middle Hitter (M):

When you see your stereotypical “wow you’re tall, you must play volleyball” player, you are likely looking at a middle hitter/blocker. These players usually block across the net in all three positions, so they have to be fast, smart, and ideally tall enough to put up a great block. On top of the pressure of blocking, middles often run quick hits with their setter to bring their team points. Height, great verticals, and aggressive swing will make for the best players in this position.


Opposite Hitter (OPP):

The opposite hitter plays from the right side of the net. While anyone can play this position, it is the ideal spot for a left-handed hitter. They play from behind the setter taking high & quick back sets. Some of these players might actually the setter when they rotate to the front row and another setter takes over for them, and sometimes they sub in for a setter in the front now. These players can have the sneakiest attacks as many teams focus their defense on the big middle or quick outside hitters. A close working relationship with the setter is important for these players as they are normally set blind AND have to stay out of their way as they transition from the back row.


Libero (L):

As a relatively new position to volleyball, you still see many fans asking “why is that girl wearing a different color.” The answer is that it signifies the defensive captain position we refer to as a libero. This player is typically the best defensive specialist (we’ll get to this next) that is well rounded in both defense and serve receive. The libero is allowed to sub at will behind the 10 ft. line without it actually counting as a substitution. They are also allowed to enter for multiple players. You will often see them go in for both middle or outside hitters. The libero should be confident, aggressive, and near-perfect on passing.


Defensive Specialist (DS):

The defensive specialists often are the shorter members of the team that you see sub in the back row for your hitters. Just like in their name, they are focused on defense. They serve receive and dig balls hit by the other team for the setter to turn into something playable. They must have the stamina to constantly move and stay low on the court, and the volleyball IQ to understand where the ball will be in play.

Are you an Athlete?

Create a free profile to access the largest network specifically designed to connect athletes to opportunities. Get started.

RELATED ARTICLES
2024 WNBA Draft Recap: Caitlin Clark Goes No. 1, Fever and Sparks Shine

2024 WNBA Draft Recap: Caitlin Clark Goes No. 1, Fever and Sparks Shine

The 2024 WNBA Draft saw the Indiana Fever select Caitlin Clark with the first overall pick, adding...

ByBen Gauthier | Tue Apr 16 2024
Sports Apps: The Future of Sports Engagement and Fan Interaction

Sports Apps: The Future of Sports Engagement and Fan Interaction

In the increasingly digital world we live in, it comes as no surprise that sports engagement and...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu Aug 24 2023
Artificial Intelligence: A Game-Changer for the Sports Industry

Artificial Intelligence: A Game-Changer for the Sports Industry

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the board, revolutionizing the way...

ByTiffany Allen | Mon Aug 21 2023
USA Football: Two NFL Teams To Provide Coach Certification To Support Youth Football

USA Football: Two NFL Teams To Provide Coach Certification To Support Youth Football

The Indianapolis Colts and the Cleveland Browns have announced their support for USA Football's...

ByTiffany Allen | Thu May 04 2023
Ontario Volleyball Association: February/March - News and Updates

Ontario Volleyball Association: February/March - News and Updates

A new season means new events and opportunities for volleyball athletes across Canada. As the...

ByOVA Team Ontario | Thu Mar 30 2023
How GMTM helps Ontario Volleyball create more opportunities for Canadian athletes

How GMTM helps Ontario Volleyball create more opportunities for Canadian athletes

The Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) has an interesting problem.  Located within a few hours of...

ByOVA Team Ontario | Mon Mar 20 2023
Tackling Sports Industry Fragmentation by Creating Athlete-First Solutions

Tackling Sports Industry Fragmentation by Creating Athlete-First Solutions

The sports industry is undergoing rapid change, putting pressure on organizations to keep pace. To...

ByJoey Grant | Mon Feb 06 2023
Digital Talent Identification: Volleyball Canada's Solution for Saving Athletes Thousands

Digital Talent Identification: Volleyball Canada's Solution for Saving Athletes Thousands

The average family of a youth volleyball player will spend $30,000 a year to compete at an elite...

ByJoey Grant | Tue Jan 24 2023
College Volleyball: What Is The Timeline For A High School Recruit

College Volleyball: What Is The Timeline For A High School Recruit

Playing volleyball at the collegiate level is almost every single player's dream as a young...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Nov 24 2022
Do They Have High School Sports In European Countries?

Do They Have High School Sports In European Countries?

Unlike the United States, European countries do not have high school athletics. It is a completely...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 22 2022
Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

Which College Sports Mascots Are The Most Polarizing?

They’re one of the most crucial aspects to a college sports viewing experience. The players?...

ByAndrew Pistone | Mon Nov 21 2022
What It's Like To Play Professional Volleyball In A Different Country

What It's Like To Play Professional Volleyball In A Different Country

At some point throughout their lifetime, every athlete has the dream to play professionally, even...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Nov 16 2022
Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Bucket List: Five More College Football Traditions You Need To See

Part two of some of the best division 1 college football game day traditions throughout the United...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 05 2022
Bucket List: Five College Football Traditions You Need To See

Bucket List: Five College Football Traditions You Need To See

One of the best parts about college football are the traditions that have been around for decades....

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Nov 05 2022
Important Beach Volleyball Terminology to Know Before You Watch

Important Beach Volleyball Terminology to Know Before You Watch

Beach volleyball [gmtm.com/articles/tag/beach-volleyball] is a fun and exciting sport for the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Fri Nov 04 2022
College Volleyball Recruiting: How Athletes Can Get Ahead Before High School

College Volleyball Recruiting: How Athletes Can Get Ahead Before High School

The first step in getting recruited by a college volleyball team is to take advantage of the...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sun Oct 23 2022
Volleyball Recruiting: Nine Questions For Recruits To Ask Volleyball Coaches

Volleyball Recruiting: Nine Questions For Recruits To Ask Volleyball Coaches

Finding a good college, team, coach, and place to spend four years of your life is important and...

ByRebekah Morris | Mon Sep 26 2022
What are "Guarantee Games" in College Football?

What are "Guarantee Games" in College Football?

As the 2022 college football season gets underway, there are many behemoth matchups on the calendar...

ByAndrew Pistone | Sun Sep 25 2022
What CFB Programs Are Developing The Most NFL Talent At Each Position

What CFB Programs Are Developing The Most NFL Talent At Each Position

More than most sports, the fundamentals of Football change greatly depending on which position you...

ByAria Modirmassihai | Fri Sep 16 2022
The Positives of Playing Club Volleyball For College Recruits

The Positives of Playing Club Volleyball For College Recruits

Do you aspire to step into your next level as a collegiate volleyball player? Are you unsure if...

ByGrace White | Thu Sep 08 2022
Volleyball Recruiting: Best Tips For Playing In College At Every Position

Volleyball Recruiting: Best Tips For Playing In College At Every Position

What are some of the top best tips for excelling at different positions in volleyball? Are you in...

ByGrace White | Sat Aug 13 2022
Ranking the Five Best Division II Football Conferences

Ranking the Five Best Division II Football Conferences

While most fans are familiar with the prestigious football schools of the NCAA's Division I, the...

ByBryan Armetta | Thu Jul 28 2022
5 Mental Tricks To Help a Volleyball Player Who Is Struggling

5 Mental Tricks To Help a Volleyball Player Who Is Struggling

No matter who you are, no matter what kind of athlete you are, no matter how talented you are,...

ByRebekah Morris | Thu Jul 28 2022
The Libero: Volleyball's Most Unique Position Explained

The Libero: Volleyball's Most Unique Position Explained

The libero position on the volleyball team is one of the most important positions in the game of...

ByRebekah Morris | Sat Jul 23 2022
What College Coaches Are Looking for in a Recruit

What College Coaches Are Looking for in a Recruit

Playing for a college team takes more than talent or level of skill, and coaches are looking for...

ByRebekah Morris | Wed Jul 20 2022
5 Best Volleyball Drills and Workouts to Improve Blocking

5 Best Volleyball Drills and Workouts to Improve Blocking

In volleyball, blocking is the first form of defense. Your blockers, where you place them, and...

ByRebekah Morris | Tue Jul 19 2022
Beach Volleyball Rules: How The Sand Differs From Indoor Volleyball

Beach Volleyball Rules: How The Sand Differs From Indoor Volleyball

What can be better than watching volleyball? Not much... besides watching volleyball on the beach!...

ByRebekah Morris | Mon Jul 18 2022
How To Do A Volleyball Jump Serve: Step-By-Step Instructions

How To Do A Volleyball Jump Serve: Step-By-Step Instructions

The Jump Serve, also called the spike serve, is an essential skill for any player to learn. Players...

ByRebekah Morris | Sun Jul 17 2022
Volleyball: Four Steps For Defensive Player To Improve Your Digging

Volleyball: Four Steps For Defensive Player To Improve Your Digging

Whether you live to hit the floor or find you find yourself feeling uneasy as a big hitter on the...

ByRebekah Morris | Sat Jul 16 2022
Volleyball: How To Become A Better Setter

Volleyball: How To Become A Better Setter

In volleyball, the setter controls the offense by turning the first pass into a hittable ball. They...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Jul 13 2022
Volleyball: Three Best Drills & Workouts To Improve Your Setting

Volleyball: Three Best Drills & Workouts To Improve Your Setting

Setters are key members of a team’s offense. They are skilled in the overhand set, speed, accuracy,...

ByRebekah Morris | Tue Jul 12 2022
Women's Gymnastics Development Program: How To Get Started With Team USA

Women's Gymnastics Development Program: How To Get Started With Team USA

If you are a part of the gymnastics world, people often ask questions like, " Exactly how wide is...

ByTiana Schoney | Thu Jul 07 2022
Where to find the most Division III football championships

Where to find the most Division III football championships

At nearly 500 miles apart, two small Midwestern cities play host to a pair of college campuses. At...

ByBrice Odel | Thu Jun 16 2022
How To Transfer Schools As A College Volleyball Athlete

How To Transfer Schools As A College Volleyball Athlete

Whether you got recruited to your dream school or took your only offer, sometimes a transfer can be...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Jun 14 2022
Six Most Common Volleyball Injuries & How To Prevent Them

Six Most Common Volleyball Injuries & How To Prevent Them

What are the top volleyball injuries and what are the best tips to avoid them? As volleyball...

ByGrace White | Fri May 13 2022
How College Volleyball Differs From The High School Sport

How College Volleyball Differs From The High School Sport

When you commit to playing college volleyball you have to commit to other decisions as well to...

ByRebekah Morris | Wed May 11 2022
Volleyball Players: Here are Four Ways to Boost Your Recruitment

Volleyball Players: Here are Four Ways to Boost Your Recruitment

No matter how talented or hardworking you are as an athlete, there are ways to boost your...

ByRebekah Morris | Mon May 09 2022
What Is 7-on-7 Football? And Why It Is The Best Offseason Activity

What Is 7-on-7 Football? And Why It Is The Best Offseason Activity

Another cold, barren football offseason is now upon us. As the Los Angeles Rams lifted the Lombardi...

ByBryan Armetta | Sun May 01 2022
How to Become the Best Outside Player and Make Coaches Believe It

How to Become the Best Outside Player and Make Coaches Believe It

Outside hitters have been voted over and over again, by players and coaches, as one of the most...

ByRebekah Morris | Sun May 01 2022
College Volleyball: Why The Libero Position Is So Important

College Volleyball: Why The Libero Position Is So Important

"Why is that player wearing a different color jersey?" This is an inevitable question from any...

ByAlexis Peltzer-Harding | Fri Apr 29 2022
Volleyball: How To Become a Better Passer

Volleyball: How To Become a Better Passer

Passing is a necessary skill needed to boost your play level from good to great. I have heard a...

ByRebekah Morris | Mon Apr 18 2022
The Five Best Offseason Sports For Volleyball Players

The Five Best Offseason Sports For Volleyball Players

We all know the best athletes play more than one sport. From Michael Jordan and his baseball days...

ByScotty Jenkins | Sat Apr 09 2022
Are The Kansas Jayhawks Next To Fly The Coop In Conference Realignment?

Are The Kansas Jayhawks Next To Fly The Coop In Conference Realignment?

College sports has had another topsy turvy summer with regards to major college sports programs...

ByAndrew Pistone | Tue Apr 05 2022
Are there Different Positions In College Beach Volleyball?

Are there Different Positions In College Beach Volleyball?

Beach volleyball is an enjoyable sport that offers amazing experiences for newbies and refreshing...

ByScotty Jenkins | Wed Mar 23 2022
Beach Volleyball and Ice Hockey Championship Bracket Updates

Beach Volleyball and Ice Hockey Championship Bracket Updates

Everywhere sports fans turn, it seems like more teams are being allowed to compete for titles. The...

ByAndrew Pistone | Thu Jan 20 2022
Seven Tips Every Volleyball Player Needs To Increase Their Vertical Jump

Seven Tips Every Volleyball Player Needs To Increase Their Vertical Jump

Whether you are a defensive specialist, a setter, or an attacker, increasing your vertical and jump...

ByRebekah Morris | Fri Jan 07 2022
Women's Gymnastics: Interview with Division III Head Coach, Kasey Crawford

Women's Gymnastics: Interview with Division III Head Coach, Kasey Crawford

University of Wisconsin La-Crosse [https://uwlathletics.com/sports/womens-gymnastics] has one of...

ByTiana Schoney | Tue Jan 04 2022
Volleyball Canada Launches Virtual Tryout For Women's NEP and U18 Team

Volleyball Canada Launches Virtual Tryout For Women's NEP and U18 Team

Volleyball Canada’s National Excellence Program (NEP) is the main talent identification process for...

ByScotty Jenkins | Tue Nov 16 2021
Each Activity In The Volleyball Canada 2022 NEP and U18 Tryout On GMTM

Each Activity In The Volleyball Canada 2022 NEP and U18 Tryout On GMTM

On November 11th, Volleyball Canada launched their 2022 Women's NEP and U18 Tryout on...

ByScotty Jenkins | Thu Nov 11 2021
First Point Volleyball Foundation Focused On Growing The Sport

First Point Volleyball Foundation Focused On Growing The Sport

As we continue to return to life as we knew it before the pandemic began, fans, coaches and...

ByAndrew Pistone | Wed Oct 27 2021