Are you struggling to figure out what volleyball position should i play? You aren’t alone. Almost every player faces this confusing question when new to the court. Even many top players keep switching positions during their careers whenever they find a good opportunity.
What volleyball position you would play is determined by your physical attributes and strengths as well as which aspects of the game you like the most. If you are new to volleyball, let’s have a basic understanding of different positions first.
Different Volleyball Positions
The main six volleyball positions are setters, outside hitters, opposite hitters, middle blockers, liberos, and defensive specialists. All these positions require different roles and skill sets. Let’s explore the requirements and qualities of each of them.
1. Setters
Pros:
- Setters play all 6 positions.
- They are very involved in the game as they touch the ball more than anyone else in the game
Cons:
- They may encounter difficult positions to play
- It may be sometimes difficult to navigate different hitters and their temperament
Quality & Strength
Setters are the “playmakers” of the game. Their precise performance can bring terrific victory to the team. Being a setter, you should have exceptional ball control, strategic thinking, high volleyball IQ, and good decision-making and communication skills. Being a lefty is a bonus point.
As a setter, you must know how to get every player involved in the game and who is your go-to player. You should have outstanding leadership qualities and guts to cheer up and motivate your team.
2. Outside Hitters
Pros:
- As an outside hitter, You play all 6 positions
- You do a little bit of everything as you are a server, passer hitter, serve receiver, and blocker at the same time
- Your efforts are well-acknowledged
Cons:
- A lot of responsibilities
- Sometimes may be physically and mentally draining
Quality & Strength
Outside hitters are also known as “left-sided hitters”. This position requires you to be a well-rounded player. You are the primary hitter and you need to be very proficient at hitting terrific attacks. This also demands a good passing and blocking ability.
Being an outside hitter, you need to have good jumping ability, agility, and quick reflexes. Being mentally tough will also add to your success.
3. Opposite Hitter
Pros
- You are the serve receiver most of the time
- Your effort is well-recognized
Cons
- Very setter-dependent position
Quality & Strength
Opposite hitters are also called “right-sided hitters”. They are explosive athletes and need to be excellent hitters and good blockers. Being an opposite hitter, you should be an expert in hitting back sets and quick sets.
This position requires you to be a good blocker as you have to block opponents’ left-sided attackers. You may play as a backup setter when needed. If you are a lefty, this is a plus point as this makes the attacks look more natural.
4. Middle Blockers
Pros:
- Most blocking position
- You enjoy the most momentum of the game.
Cons:
- Efforts need to be recognized.
- May not be that much rewarding
Quality & Strength
Middle blockers are front-row central defensive players. They are explosive athletes being excellent blockers and good hitters as they are closer to setters.
One of the most important requirements is lateral agility and good jumping ability so that they can move quickly to defend against the opponent’s attacks. They should also be able to read the setter’s moves.
Height is a plus point when it comes to this position but it is not a requirement at all.
5. Liberos
Pros:
- Defensive and challenging position
Cons:
- Higher chances of getting hits
- Your efforts may not be much recognized
Quality & Strength
Liberos are the back-row players wearing a different coloured jersey. For this position, you need to have excellent passing and digging abilities. You are the serve receiver, so accurate passing is very crucial. This position requires high agility and sharp reflexes.
If your height is relatively less then there is good news for you that liberos don’t need to be super tall. Often the shortest player in the team gets this position. However, as a libero, you cannot attack and rotate across the first row.
6. Defending Specialist
They are also back-row players and their role is similar to liberos. Unlike liberos, they can rotate and their contribution is comparatively less.
Choosing The Right Volleyball Position
If you are a beginner in volleyball or planning to join the sport, just stop worrying about what position you should play. The only thing you have to do is get on the court and start playing. Next, give yourself time to explore what aspects of the game you excel at and what parts you are lacking in.
When you are done with all this, focus on one primary position that excites you the most and aligns with your physical attributes and skills.
Considerations While Choosing The Appropriate Volleyball Position
The choice of position you want to play is very important in determining your career as well as your team’s success. Consider the following aspects while making a choice;
1. Which Game Aspects Excite You The Most?
You have to figure out whether it is the thrill of blocking or the charm of attacking that pulls you towards the game. You have to see whether you enjoy being a team leader or have fun making difficult digs.
2. Personality Traits and Leadership Skills
If you are the kind of person who always enjoys leading a team and taking charge on the court, there is a pretty good chance of you being an outstanding setter.
If you are a responsible person and willing to shoulder extra responsibilities, you can make a very good career as an outside hitter by attaining the required hard work and skills.
Physical Attributes Favouring Different Volleyball Positions
Physical attributes are somewhat important when it comes to choosing what volleyball position you should play. They are not the key factor but particularly become considerable when you join the court being completely unaware of your strengths and the coach has to decide what volleyball position you would play.
Best Volleyball Positions For Lefties
The left-handed players often perform well as outside hitters and setters. Being lefty makes the attacks from right-sided hitters look more natural.
So, if you are a lefty and blessed with good height, you can become a terrific opposite hitter with enough hard work. If you are a lefty but comparatively shorter, you can consider becoming a setter.
Best Volleyball Positions For Tall Players
There is this particular tendency regarding volleyball positions that the tallest player on the team should be a middle blocker. Well, this approach proves right in many cases but it doesn’t necessarily mean that if your height is not 6.6 or you are not super tall, you can’t be a good middle blocker.
Height somewhere helps every volleyball player as it is a game of tall ones. You can examine your current age, height, and your parents’ height to get a rough estimate of your ultimate height.
Best Volleyball Positions For Righties
Right-handed players can play all the positions but they may need to do some extra effort as an opposite hitter or setter.
Best Volleyball Positions For Short Players
Liberos are often the shortest players on the team. This is not a definite rule but this position has nothing to do with height if you fulfill other requirements. You can also consider a setter position if you have other required traits.
If you don’t have good height but exceptional jumping talent, you can be an excellent hitter. Mireya Luis, the highest jumping player of all time, was only 175cm tall.
Best Volleyball Positions For Spring and Acrobatic Players
If you have exceptional jumping abilities and good height you can be a superb outside hitter or middle blocker.
If you have good acrobatic traits but are not taller, you can consider becoming a libero.
Explore More: Best Liberos in Volleyball
Can I Switch Positions If I Find a Great Opportunity?
If you are a volleyball player reconsidering your current playing position, it’s completely natural. You are not supposed to stick to a certain position for a lifetime particularly if it was chosen solely on the advice and criteria of the coach.
Whenever you find a good opportunity or feel like you can perform far better at some other position, you can switch to that particular position.
Hence, if you are a hitter, practice from both sides of the court so you can change your position whenever you want to. However, setters and liberos specialize quite early.
Conclusion
To wrap this discussion up, while deciding what volleyball position you should play, you should consider a lot of things. Some of them are decisive factors like your strengths, qualities, skills, and natural talent. The other aspects like physical attributes are only a plus point which may make it easy for you to play at a particular position but they are not a requirement.
There is no such thing as the “best volleyball position”. The thing is that you have to figure out what is the “best volleyball position for you”.
The ultimate success of your career lies in your hard work, persistence, consistency, and your will to learn and improve. That’s it.
