Rotation and attacking systems

1Why this matters

In volleyball every player must play in every position, because the team rotates round the court during a set. A team's system decides who sets and who attacks in each rotation. Understanding it tells you where to stand, when to move and which sets to expect.

2The six zones and rotation

Each half of the court is divided into six zones, numbered from the server's position. Zones 2, 3 and 4 form the front row; zones 1, 6 and 5 form the back row.

• The player in zone 1 (right back) serves.
• When a team wins a rally on the other team's serve, it gains the serve and rotates clockwise: the zone 2 player moves to zone 1 and serves, zone 3 moves to zone 2, and so on, with zone 1 moving to zone 6.
• A team that wins a rally on its own serve does not rotate. The same player serves again.
• At the moment of the serve, players must be in their rotation order. Once the ball is served they may move to their specialist places (setters to the right of the front court, hitters to the left).
• Scoring: every rally wins a point. A set is won by the first team to 25 points with a lead of at least 2. A match is best of five sets, and a deciding fifth set goes to 15.

3Attacking systems

Systems are named by the number of hitters and setters.

• 4–2: four hitters and two setters, placed opposite each other in the rotation. Whichever setter is in the front row sets, so only two front-row players attack. It is simple, and good for beginners.
• 6–2: two setters, but the one in the back row comes forward to set, so all three front-row players can attack. All six players hit at some point.
• 5–1: one setter sets in every rotation. With the setter in the back row there are three front-row attackers; with the setter in the front row there are two, but the setter may "dump" the ball over. This is the most common system at high level.

4Types of attack

• High outside set to zone 4: the safest option after a poor pass.
• Quick hit by the middle player: the hitter jumps before the setter touches the ball and strikes a low, fast set before the blockers can form.
• Back-row attack: a back-row hitter jumps from behind the attack line, adding a fourth attack option.
• Setter dump: a front-row setter pushes the second touch over the net instead of setting, which surprises the blockers.

A good attacking system gives the setter several options. If the blockers cannot tell who will hit, they arrive late, and a single blocker against a hitter usually loses.

Practice

Solution. Front row: zones 4 (left), 3 (middle) and 2 (right). Back row: zones 5 (left), 6 (middle) and 1 (right).

Solution. Rotate again: Mutesi moves from zone 2 to zone 1, so Mutesi serves.

Solution. Three. The setter is in the back row, so all three front-row players can attack.

Solution. Yes. 25–23 reaches 25 points with a lead of 2.