Volleyball Rotation for a 5-1 in a

three-passer system
• KEY: Front row players are shown with a black outline!
• 5-1 means there are five hitters and one setter. With two setters (6-2), the
rotations with the setter in the back row are used for both setters.
• The most basic rule is that all hitters have a home—outside, middle, or
opposite. Setters and opposites always play right-side defense.
• Most teams have their defensive specialist substitute for at least one middle
hitter in the back row.
• This three-passer system assumes the best passers to be the outside hitters
and that three players can cover most serves. Variations can be made to let a
front-row player cover very short serves or to allow right-side hitters to pass
instead.
• Not all teams place outsides in middle-back and middles on the left side as
shown throughout this PowerPoint. Doing so as shown permits the outside
hitter to hit a back-row attack from the middle of the court.
• Players move much more than this presentation shows
– Middle blockers and outside hitters work together to “double block” the other team’s hitters.
– All of the players move to cover their team’s hitter in case of a block.
– For each hitting situation, the defense shifts into a specific arrangement.
 Rotational Positions

Setter serving
in position one. IV III II

V VI I

Middle Outside

Opposite

Outside Middle
(Sub)

SERVE!
Setter
SERVE! Rotational Positions

Serve Receive
with setter in IV III II
position one.
V VI I

We sent Outside

it back. Middle Setter

Switch! Opposite
Outside
Middle
(Sub)
 Rotational Positions

Outside serving
with setter in IV III II
six.
V VI I
Notice that the
setter is
allowed to
cross over the
server and start
in her home
Outside Opposite
position. Middle

Middle
(Sub) Setter

Outside
SERVE!
SERVE! Rotational Positions

Serve Receive
with setter in IV III II
six.
V VI I

Notice that the

three back row
players are in line
We sent Opposite
left-to-right
(middle, setter,
Setter outside)
it back. Middle

Switch! Outside
Outside
Middle
(Sub)
 Rotational Positions

Middle serving
with setter in IV III II
five.
V VI I

Middle Outside Opposite

Setter

SERVE!
Outside

Middle
SERVE! Rotational Positions

Serve Receive
with setter in IV III II
five.
V VI I

We sent Middle

it back. Setter
Opposite

Switch! Outside
Outside
Middle
(Sub)
 Rotational Positions

Opposite
serving with IV III II
setter in four.
V VI I

Middle
Outside
Setter

Middle
Outside (Sub)

SERVE!
Opposite
SERVE!
Serve Receive with
Rotational Positions

setter in four.
IV III II

Sometimes a team
V VI I
will have the outside
hitter hit on the right
side and then switch
after sending the
ball over.

We sent
Alternative Setter This setup lets us have
an outside and middle
it back. Middle
hitter for the first ball.

Switch!
Another alternative Outside
Outside
Middle
(Sub)

Opposite
 Rotational Positions

Outside serving
with setter in IV III II
three.
V VI I
Notice that the
opposite in the
back row is
allowed to
cross over the
server and start Outside Setter Middle
in her home
position.

Middle Opposite
(Sub)

Outside
SERVE!
SERVE! Rotational Positions

Serve Receive
with setter in IV III II
three.
V VI I

We sent Setter

it back.
Middle

Switch!
Also ok… Outside
Outside
Middle
(Sub)

Opposite
 Rotational Positions

Middle serving
with setter in IV III II
two.
V VI I

Middle Outside Setter

Opposite

Outside
SERVE!
Middle
SERVE! Rotational Positions

Serve Receive
with setter in IV III II
two.
V VI I

We sent Setter

it back. Middle

Switch!
Also ok; common
for Middle School Outside
Outside
Middle
(Sub)

Opposite