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COACH APRIL’S MAY HITTING CLINICS AT ITS ALL VOLLEYBALL For serious players ages 11–17 who want to improve: - approach footwork - hitting mechanics - power - ball placement - attacking confidence Perfect for: NYS players newer club players club travel players who need more focused hitting work DATES May 2–3 May 16–17 May 30–31 TIMES 10am–11am ages 11–13 11am–12pm ages 13–15 12pm–1pm ages 15–16 1pm–2pm ages 16–17 $40 one session $80 two sessions $120 three sessions Email info@improveyourvolley.com to register today
COACH APRIL’S MAY HITTING CLINICS AT ITS ALL VOLLEYBALL For serious players ages 11–17 who want to improve: - approach footwork - hitting mechanics - power - ball placement - attacking confidence Perfect for: NYS players newer club players club travel players who need more focused hitting work DATES May 2–3 May 16–17 May 30–31 TIMES 10am–11am ages 11–13 11am–12pm ages 13–15 12pm–1pm ages 15–16 1pm–2pm ages 16–17 $40 one session $80 two sessions $120 three sessions Email info@improveyourvolley.com to register today
COACH APRIL’S MAY HITTING CLINICS AT ITS ALL VOLLEYBALL For serious players ages 11–17 who want to improve: - approach footwork - hitting mechanics - power - ball placement - attacking confidence Perfect for: NYS players newer club players club travel players who need more focused hitting work DATES May 2–3 May 16–17 May 30–31 TIMES 10am–11am ages 11–13 11am–12pm ages 13–15 12pm–1pm ages 15–16 1pm–2pm ages 16–17 $40 one session $80 two sessions $120 three sessions Email info@improveyourvolley.com to register today
COACH APRIL’S MAY HITTING CLINICS AT ITS ALL VOLLEYBALL For serious players ages 11–17 who want to improve: - approach footwork - hitting mechanics - power - ball placement - attacking confidence Perfect for: NYS players newer club players club travel players who need more focused hitting work DATES May 2–3 May 16–17 May 30–31 TIMES 10am–11am ages 11–13 11am–12pm ages 13–15 12pm–1pm ages 15–16 1pm–2pm ages 16–17 $40 one session $80 two sessions $120 three sessions Email info@improveyourvolley.com to register today

Email: info@improveyourvolley.com for info or to register for this weekend's clinics! 


Understanding Important Court Volleyball Positions And Who Plays Them

There are seven primary playing positions in volleyball, the setter, outside hitter, the opposite, the middle blocker, DS, libero and serving specialist.

Court Volleyball Positions: There are seven primary playing positions in volleyball, the setter, outside hitter, the opposite, the middle blocker, DS, libero and serving specialist. The volleyball defensive player known as the libero specializes in playing defense in any of the three zones in the back court. (Denis Wright)Court Volleyball Positions: The volleyball defensive player known as the libero specializes in playing defense in any of the three zones in the back court. (Denis Wright)

Article At A Glance


Understand where the positions on the court each of these players usually play in, where and what they specialize in and what their roles and responsibilities are. 


Which court volleyball positions do you specialize in? There are seven important player positions on a team that players usually specialize in

Let em explain the role that each of them plays so you can decide which one is best for you. 



Court Volleyball Positions -
The Setter Position in Volleyball

Court Volleyball Positions: The setter is a playmaker who like a point guard on a basketball team runs the offense and calls the offensive plays that their hitter needs to run. (Ralph Aversen)Court Volleyball Positions: The setter is a playmaker who like a point guard on a basketball team runs the offense and calls the offensive plays that their hitter needs to run. (Ralph Aversen)


A setter is typically positioned in the right back spot - position 1, but can move to other areas based on tactical requirements.

The setter’s job is to set the ball for the team’s attackers, making them (the setter) critical in initiating offensive plays that help their team score.

The volleyball setter's goal is to exploit the weaknesses in the opposing team's block and defense. 

Court Volleyball Positions - The Setter - Of the 5 positions the setter volleyball position is important because they run the offense like a quarterback on a football team only they deliver sets to their hitters. (Aversen)Court Volleyball Positions - The Setter - Of the 5 positions the setter volleyball position is important because they run the offense like a quarterback on a football team only they deliver sets to their hitters. (Aversen)

The setter's job is to outsmart the opposing team's block so that her hitters hit the ball with the least number of opposing blockers trying to block their spike attempts.


Court Volleyball Positions: The setter's job is to outsmart the opposing team's block so her hitters hit the ball with the least number of opposing blockers trying to block their attack hits. (Ralph Aversen)Court Volleyball Positions: The setter's job is to outsmart the opposing team's block so her hitters hit the ball with the least number of opposing blockers trying to block their attack hits. (Ralph Aversen)

I think the setter volleyball position is one of the hardest positions to play because they have to remember what works and what doesn't.




They have to feed the ball to the hottest hitter making points on their team while making sure they keep from setting the ball to the hitter that has the best opposing block in front of them.


Court Volleyball Positions -
The Libero Position in Volleyball

Court Volleyball Positions: The libero's volleyball jersey is always in contrasting colors to that of her teammates since she only plays in the back row. (Matt Pendleton)Court Volleyball Positions: The libero's volleyball jersey is always in contrasting colors to that of her teammates since she only plays in the back row. (Matt Pendleton)


What's a libero and why does the libero wear a different color jersey?

A libero is a defensive specialist, often the most agile player on the team. This player excels in receiving serves by passing the ball and digging, akin to a guardian angel for the team.

The libero wears a different colored jersey to make them easily identifiable, as they have unique substitution rules.



Court Volleyball Positions: Why Does A Libero Wear A Different Color Jersey?

court Volleyball Positions: The libero's volleyball jersey is always in contrasting colors to that of her teammates since she only plays in the back row. (Rraiderstyle)Court Volleyball Positions: The libero's volleyball jersey is always in contrasting colors to that of her teammates since she only plays in the back row. Rraiderstyle)

If you were curious as to why one of the players always has a different color jersey than their teammates, that's to identify them to the referee, as to which player is the libero.

The libero's volleyball jersey is always in contrasting colors to that of her teammates since she only plays in the back row.


The libero volleyball player goes in and out of the game without being substituted in so to differentiate them from the other players they wear a contrasting color jersey. 

Position 6, located at the back center of the court, is usually filled by the defensive specialist or the libero as they are best suited for receiving serves and making digs.


Is The Libero Volleyball Position One of The Best Court Volleyball Positions To Play?

Court Volleyball Positions: The volleyball defensive player known as the libero specializes in playing defense in any of the three zones in the back court. (CE Andersen)Court Volleyball Positions: The volleyball defensive player known as the libero specializes in playing defense in any of the three zones in the back court. (CE Andersen)


If you're one of  the shortest or the quickest players on your team, the libero volleyball position is one of the good volleyball positions on the court which could be a great option for you to aspire to play.

What does it take to make a good libero?

You can really make a huge difference on your team in this position especially if you have

Also being a starting libero guarantees you plenty of playing time during each game.


Court Volleyball Positions -
The Middle Blocker Position in Volleyball

Volleyball Court Positions - Haleigh Washington Penn State middle blocker attacks the ball from the middle. (Aversen)Volleyball Court Positions - Haleigh Washington Penn State middle blocker attacks the ball from the middle. (Aversen)

How Do You Become A Good Middle Blocker in Volleyball?

Court Volleyball Positions - The middle blocker's tracks the ball from the passer to the setter for clues as to which one of the hitters the setter's going to set. Penn State middle moves to block the outside . (John O'Brien)Court Volleyball Positions - The middle blocker's tracks the ball from the passer to the setter for clues as to which one of the hitters the setter's going to set. Penn State middle moves to block the outside . (John O'Brien)


Following a pattern called "Ball-Setter-Ball-Hitter" the middle blocker's job is to track the ball from the passer to the setter for clues as to which one of the hitters the setter's going to set.

Once the middle figures it out, they track the ball that's been set, by moving laterally along the net with a set number of block steps to position themselves in front of the hitter and then time their block jump in a way to stop whatever attack hit is coming. 


Court Volleyball Positions: The middle blocker is flanked by her two outside blockers who are ready to help out with blocking responsibilities in the middle. (Ralph Aversen)Court Volleyball Positions: The middle blocker is flanked by her two outside blockers who are ready to help out with blocking responsibilities in the middle. (Ralph Aversen)


The player in the middle blocker volleyball position is


Court Volleyball Positions -
Outside Hitter Position

Court Volleyball Positions - Left sides are called "cannons" because their offensive position is the furthest away from the setter, but they are often the hardest hitters on the team who score the most.Court Volleyball Positions - Left sides are called "cannons" because their offensive position is the furthest away from the setter, but they are often the hardest hitters on the team who score the most.



Left sides are called the "cannons" because even though they play their offensive position the furthest away from the setter, they are quite often the hardest hitters on the team.


Court Volleyball Positions - The "outside hitter," pin hitter or "the cannon" gets set the ball often usually as the third and last contact allowed for a team. (Al Case)Court Volleyball Positions - The "outside hitter," pin hitter or "the cannon" gets set the ball often usually as the third and last contact allowed for a team. (Al Case)


Many times these aren't perfect sets, so a left side hitter puts in hours of training to hit imperfect sets, so that they can still score points or hit sideouts off the sets that aren't right where they are supposed to be.


Court Volleyball Positions- Outside hitters hit different types of sets to beat the block by hitting the ball hard from the left side of the court known as Zone 4. (JMR Photography)Court Volleyball Positions- Outside hitters hit different types of sets to beat the block by hitting the ball hard from the left side of the court known as Zone 4. (JMR Photography)

For some, left side hitters are referred to as "vacuum cleaners" because its their job to clean up all the trash.

The “O” in “OH” stands for “Outside,” so “OH” refers to an “Outside Hitter." This player hits and blocks on the front left side of the court.



Court Volleyball Positions - 
Opposite Hitter

Court Volleyball Positions - The right side hitter or opposite becomes the right side blocker when their team is on defense (Ralph Aversen)Court Volleyball Positions - The right side hitter or opposite becomes the right side blocker when their team is on defense (Ralph Aversen)

First, because the right side hitter becomes the right side blocker when her team is on defense, she is lined up to block the left side hitter of the opposite team.

Many times the opposite hitter is just as tall as the middle blocker since her priority is to stop the strong opposing team's left side hitter.


Understanding Important Volleyball Court Positions And Who Plays Them by Coach April Chapple -Many times the opposite hitter is just as tall as the middle blocker since her priority is to stop the strong opposing team's left side hitter. (Bill Shaner)Understanding Important Court Volleyball Positions And Who Plays Them by Coach April Chapple- Many times the opposite hitter is just as tall as the middle blocker since her priority is to stop the strong opposing team's left side hitter. (Bill Shaner)

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Court Volleyball Positions


Now let's dig into some of the most frequently asked questions when understanding court volleyball positions.

1. What are the 7 playing positions on the volleyball court?

There are generally seven positions on the volleyball court; setter, outside hitter, middle blocker, opposite hitter, defensive specialist, libero, and serving specialist. Each player position has unique roles which play a pivotal part in the game.

2. What is position 4 in volleyball and who plays in it?

Position 4, also known as Zone 4, is typically occupied by the outside hitter. They are often involved in both offensive and defensive plays and are known for their powerful hits.

3. What is the difference between my court position and my playing position?

Your court position refers to your specific spot on the court, while your playing position refers to the role you play on the team, such as setter, middle blocker or libero.

4. What's a libero and why does the libero wear a different color jersey?

A libero is a player who specializes in defensive skills, specifically digging and passing. They wear a different colored jersey to distinguish themselves as they have unique substitution rules.

5. What is position 6 in volleyball and who plays in it?

Position 6 is situated at the back of the court, right in the center. The player in this position is usually the defensive specialist, often the Libero, who excels in receiving serves and digging.

6. What does the O stand for in the abbreviation "OH"?

The "O" in "OH" stands for "Outside". So, "OH" refers to an "Outside Hitter", a player who hits and blocks on the front left side of the court.

7. What is a setter and where do they usually play on the court?


A setter is a player who sets the ball for the team's attackers. They usually play on the rightback spot - 1 but can switch to multiple positions on the court based on the tactical situation of the game. A team's offensive play often begins with the setter.


Navigating through these answers, hopefully you can now strategize your game plan better and decide which volleyball court positions suit your abilities best.

Remember, understanding the court positions allows players to make quick decisions, anticipate opponent moves and respond effectively.


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I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 




Read more about volleyball positions on these pages. 


If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.

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Volleyball Player Whisperer in Vegas Restoring Power + Peace + Passion To Burnt Out Players, High Performance Volleyball Coach, ImproveYourVolley Web Author, Peace Love Volleyball CollectionVolleyball Player Whisperer in Vegas Restoring Power + Peace + Passion To Burnt Out Players, High Performance Volleyball Coach, ImproveYourVolley Web Author, Peace Love Volleyball Collection

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April Chapple is an elite private volleyball trainer, former USA National Team member, and University of Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee who has coached in Las Vegas for 15+ years, training hundreds of athletes and helping numerous players reach college volleyball, including Division I standouts.

She's also the head coach for girls and boys 18s at Squad VBC and offers coaches consulting on technical teaching and player development. Connect with April on LinkedIn or at ImproveYourVolley.com, where her eye for overlooked talent sets her apart.


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Vegas Volleyball's Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Moms with Peace Love Volleyball Shirts

In the city that never sleeps, my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are your 24/7 support system. Las Vegas pulses with endless energy, and as a volleyball mom, you're the powerhouse behind your player's non-stop journey.In the city that never sleeps, my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are your 24/7 support system.
More than just clothing, my shirts are a tribute to the tireless spirit of Vegas volleyball moms.More than just clothing, my shirts are a tribute to the tireless spirit of Vegas volleyball moms.
With motivational messages and vibrant designs, they mirror the dynamic energy of our city while celebrating your constant presence in your player's volleyball adventure.With motivational messages and vibrant designs, they mirror the dynamic energy of our city while celebrating your constant presence in your player's volleyball adventure.
In a town that's always on, you're the ever-present force driving your player's success.In a town that's always on, you're the ever-present force driving your player's success.

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Struggling with the unique demands of being a volleyball mom in the desert? My Peace Love Volleyball shirts offer both comfort and inspiration for the challenges you face. From dealing with intense heat during outdoor practices to long drives across the valley for tournaments, Vegas volleyball moms face obstacles that others might not understand.Dear Vegas Volleyball Mom, I know that balancing Vegas life with volleyball commitments can feel like walking a tightrope, but my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are here to support you every step of the way.
As the Vegas volleyball scene grows, so does the pressure on players and moms alike. My Peace Love Volleyball shirts are here to remind you of your inner peace amidst the chaos.As the Vegas volleyball scene grows, so does the pressure on players and moms alike. My Peace Love Volleyball shirts are here to remind you of your inner peace amidst the chaos.
In a city known for its high energy, finding moments of calm can be challenging, especially when juggling the demands of volleyball life.In a city known for its high energy, finding moments of calm can be challenging, especially when juggling the demands of volleyball life.
My volleyball mom shirts aren't just about looking good - they're about feeling good too.My volleyball mom shirts aren't just about looking good - they're about feeling good too.
With messages that promote mindfulness and positivity, they serve as a wearable reminder to breathe, center yourself, and approach each volleyball challenge with a peaceful mindset.With messages that promote mindfulness and positivity, they serve as a wearable reminder to breathe, center yourself, and approach each volleyball challenge with a peaceful mindset.
In the fast-paced world of Vegas volleyball, these moments of zen can make all the difference.In the fast-paced world of Vegas volleyball, these moments of zen can make all the difference.

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