Volleyball Guide

Positions & rotation

Pick a system, a rotation and a phase of play. Players walk to their spots and the overlap check shows whether the formation is legal.

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Rotation 1 of 6
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Serve receive

The opponent serves. Positions must be legal at the moment of the serve contact, but players may “hide” close to their neighbours.

Your turn!

Set up the team yourself in rotation 1 (Serve receive) and check it against the rules.

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Zones

  • Zone 1: right back, the serving spot
  • Zone 2: right front
  • Zone 3: middle front
  • Zone 4: left front
  • Zone 5: left back
  • Zone 6: middle back

Front row (zones 4-3-2)Back row (zones 5-6-1)Attack line (3 m)

You rotate when you win the serve back: everyone moves one zone clockwise (2→1→6→5→4→3→2).

Who does what on court?

Click a player on the court to see their card and path through the rotation. All positions at a glance below.

Setter

Rozgrywający (R)

The brain of the team. Sets the second ball for the attack and usually plays on the right side (zone 2 or 1).

  • Sets the second ball, usually with the fingers, and decides who attacks.
  • Tries to fool the opposing block with fast, unexpected sets.
  • In the front row blocks on the right and may tip the ball over instead of setting.

Opposite

Atakujący (A)

The main scorer. Stands opposite the setter in the rotation and attacks from the right and from the back row.

  • Attacks from the right wing (zone 2) and from the back row (zone 1).
  • Gets the hardest balls, e.g. after a bad pass, and is expected to finish them.
  • Usually does not pass the serve and blocks the opposing outside hitter.

Outside hitter

Przyjmujący (P)

Passes the serve and attacks from the left wing (zone 4). In the back row often hits the “pipe” through the middle.

  • Passes the serve together with the libero.
  • Attacks from the left wing (zone 4) and hits the “pipe” through the middle from the back row.
  • Defends and blocks too, so needs a bit of every skill.

Middle blocker

Środkowy (Ś)

Blocks across the whole net and attacks quick sets in the middle. In the back row the libero replaces them.

  • Blocks across the whole net and chases every opposing attack.
  • Attacks quick sets in the middle, e.g. the quick or the slide.
  • Leaves the court in the back row, where the libero takes over.

Libero

Libero (L)

Passing and defense specialist in a different jersey. Plays only in the back row and does not serve, block or attack above the net.

  • The team’s best passer and defender.
  • Plays only in the back row and wears a different jersey.
  • Does not serve, block, or attack a ball from above the net.

Player

Zawodnik

When everyone rotates, everyone does everything: passes, sets and attacks depending on the zone they are in.

  • Passes when the serve comes into their zone.
  • Sets when standing in zone 3 (or wherever the team agrees).
  • Attacks from the front row and defends in the back row.