Volleyball positioning remains pretty standard for most teams with the court divided into six basic positions of two rows of three players in the front row and three in the back. Each position comes with its own specific responsibilities. To enjoy success, each member of the team must fulfill those positional obligations and work together as a cohesive unit.
Right Back
Located in the right corner of the back row, if standing behind the back line and facing the net, right back is a pivotal position. The team's best setter usually starts the game in the right back position. In volleyball, the setter acts as the quarterback, directing the offense and setting up the front row hitters. Having a setter open in the right back allows for three strong hitters to position themselves near the net, increasing the chance for offense. When teams rotate, the player rotating into the right back becomes the server.
Right Front
Taking position at the front row's right end, the right front plays the role of weak side hitter on offense. Since most players are right-handed, playing on the outside right edge limits the angles for possible spikes, making it the weak side attack. Yet on defense, the weak side hitter must then become a fearsome blocker, as she'll likely be facing one of the other team's top hitters.
Middle Front
Teams try to get their best hitter into the middle front position because the central location provides plenty of striking options. Because of their ideal positioning, middle front hitters often serve as decoys, intentionally fanning on sets to draw defensive attention and open areas of the net for teammates. On defense, the middle front player must coordinate the blocking to ensure that teammates don't collide or interfere with each other when attempting to stuff spikes.
Left Front
If not found in middle front, a team's best hitter will likely take root in the left front, which means he stands at the far left end of the front row. Right-handed hitters thrive at the left front position, enjoying exceptional hitting angles when attacking the net. Left front players must also be adept at blocking.
Left Back
Many teams place a libero in the left back position, which calls home the back left corner of the court. The libero is a defensive specialist who can be rotated in and out of the game for strictly defensive purposes, although she may serve for one rotation. While starting in the left back, the libero typically roams all over the court to dig balls and set passes for hitters.
Middle Back
One of the team's better hitters usually starts in the middle back position of the rear row. The middle back player will then jump into the attack, pressing the middle of the court and elevating for spikes at the net. On defense, he can hang back to dig deep shots or press the net to support with blocking.
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