In volleyball competition each team consists of six players, three of whom take the forward positions in a row close to and facing the net while the other three play in the backcourt. The positions are:
- Setter: leads the offense by setting the ball to a hitter and reading the opposing team’s defensive positioning
- Outside hitter/left side: operates in the forward-left position, receives serves and makes attack hits (striking the ball strategically over the net and into the opponent’s court)
- Opposite hitter/right side: attacks from the forward-right position and also blocks opponents’ shots
- Middle blocker/hitter: often among the tallest players, blocks opposing shots by jumping in the middle of the forward row with hands raised and also makes attacks
- Defensive specialist: positioned in the back row, helps to keep the ball in play for teammates by receiving serves and digging (handling aggressive hits from the opposing team)
- Libero: also a defensive specialist but one who does not rotate to the front line. The libero wears a different color from the rest of the team. In FIVB (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball) competition, the libero does not serve, but other organizations, including the NCAA, allow the libero to serve under certain circumstances. The libero also may not complete an attack hit if the ball is above the net at the time of contact. The position was introduced to Olympic competition at the 2000 Olympics.
By contrast, beach volleyball usually features only two players per side, and there are no specialized positions.