How Tall Are Outside Hitters In Volleyball 2024?

Responsible for attacking the ball from the left side of the court, outside hitters hold a crucial position in volleyball and play a significant role in both offense and defense.

Often being the go-to spiker on a team, outside hitters benefit greatly from their height, allowing them to execute powerful attacks and effectively hit the ball from the left side of the court.

Playing an outside hitter in sports can be a challenging and thrilling experience, particularly if you’re shorter than most of your competition, making it a more demanding role to execute effectively.

In volleyball, a sport where height matters significantly, taller players have a higher reach, can efficiently get above the net, and possess a broader range of options for hitting, making it a key advantage in the game.

How Tall Are Outside Hitters In Volleyball? In the realm of Olympic volleyball, the average height for male outside hitters tends to hover around 197.5cm or 6’5.7″, highlighting their towering presence on the court. Conversely, their female counterparts who take on the role of outside hitters typically maintain an average height of 183cm or 6’, showcasing the importance of height dynamics in this competitive sport.

In this article, we try to find out how important height is for an outside hitter.

So Let’s start!

Are Volleyball Outside Hitters Tall?

Height, being a pivotal factor, significantly influences playing as an outside hitter, particularly evident among Olympic men’s players who typically stand at an impressive 6’5”.

The performance of an outside hitter can be impacted by being short, but it doesn’t imply that success is unattainable.

Considering that experience and confidence consistently hold significance in professional play, it’s essential to highlight that maintaining a positive outlook during all stages of your development remains crucial.

How Tall Are Outside Hitters In Volleyball Vs Other Positions

Discovering that outside hitters are generally shorter on average compared to opposites and middles was expected. However, the revelation was surprising when examining the 2012 Olympic data, further emphasizing this height dynamic within the sport.

HEIGHT OF TOP 4 2012 OLYMPIC TEAMS BY POSITION

Average Outside Hitter Height In The Olympics

At the highest level of the game, a noticeable trend is the gradual increase in height among outside hitters each year.

The average height of outside hitters in the Olympics typically ranges from approximately 183 cm to 197.5 cm (6’0″ to 6’5.7″)

Average Outside Hitter Height In College Volleyball

In the realm of college volleyball, there’s a subtle variation in the average height of outside hitters observed between men and women

Men’s College Outside Hitter Height Ranges

The average height of male outside hitters in college volleyball generally ranges from approximately 187 cm to 197.5 cm (6’1.6″ to 6’5.7″).

For female outside hitters in college volleyball, the average height is typically around 180 cm (5’10.9″).

Women’s College Outside Hitter Average Heights

How Important Is Height For An Outside Hitter?

Emphasizing that height is not the sole determinant of success for an outside hitter, critical factors encompass agility, speed, timing, technique, vertical jump, and overall volleyball IQ, which collectively contribute to a player’s effectiveness on the court.

Exceptional skills and technique can serve as compensatory factors for shorter players, allowing them to excel despite a lack of height.

Can I Play Volleyball If I’m Short?

For anyone, it’s important to know that being short should never be an intimidation factor when aspiring to play volleyball at the highest level.

By engaging in fitness routines to improve overall fitness and practicing alongside players of shorter stature within teams that emphasize utilizing the entire court, individuals can enhance their skill set and body control. This comprehensive approach to training effectively addresses any potential challenges posed by height, ensuring it does not impede progress.

Having dedication, engaging in regular practice, and maintaining a positive mindset can lead to the development of impressive skills and make you a valuable asset as a volleyball player.

Height Helps But It’s Less Important For Outsides

Emphasizing the importance of honing hitting, blocking, and defensive techniques, it becomes evident that precision and skill in executing plays are equally, if not more, significant than one’s height.

In this scenario, my recommendation is to persist with practicing as an outside hitter, given that transitioning to the opposite or middle positions is considerably easier in comparison to the reverse.

To address my question directly, I opted for a succinct approach by creating a table that outlines the average height of players based on their position and division.

How Tall Do I Need To Be To Play Outside Hitter?

Highlighting that there are no rigid height prerequisites, individuals can effectively play as an outside hitter in volleyball.

If success as a men’s outside hitter is the aspiration, a height of at least 6’4″-6’5″ (193-196cm) is considered desirable.

Working on the vertical jump and agility is crucial for successful hitting and blocking as an outside hitter.

If a height shorter than 6’3” is your circumstance, you’re essentially considering being a setter or libero.

The average height of women’s Olympic outside hitters at 6′ in 2012, if you are approaching this range, you’ll likely be well-positioned.

Women’s Volleyball

Shortest Outside Hitters In Volleyball

In men’s volleyball, although taller players often dominate, it’s essential to emphasize that shorter individuals are not entirely excluded from the sport.

Indeed, five of the shortest men’s volleyball players have wielded an outsized influence within the sport. In this discussion, we will closely examine each of their remarkable accomplishments.

1. FARHAD ZARIF

Height: 5 feet 5 inches

Weight: 132 pounds

Farhad Zarif, born in Iran, holds the distinction of being the shortest professional men’s volleyball player to achieve widespread success in the sport.

Standing at under 5 and a half feet tall, he is notably a full foot shorter than many of his competitors, underscoring the magnitude of his achievement in professional men’s volleyball.

Benefiting from his height, he held a distinctive advantage in his role as the team’s libero, specializing in back-row defense. Regrettably, family difficulties led to the premature end of his career in 2014.

2. TAICHIRŌ KOGA

Height: 5 feet 7 inches

Weight: 154 pounds

Spike: 115 inches

Instrumental in leading his country to victory in three separate national championships, Taichirō Koga played the role of libero for Japan’s men’s national volleyball team.

Having participated in 29 different tournaments and accumulating over 150 matches, this young yet seasoned player has showcased his skill and experience, signaling a promising and lengthy career trajectory.

3. MATÍAS SÁNCHEZ

Height: 5 feet 8 inches

Weight: 141 pounds

Spike: 120 inches

Despite football being the national sport of Venezuela, Matías Sánchez opted to channel his athletic talents to the volleyball court, demonstrating expertise in the role of a setter.

Currently, he finds himself balancing dual roles, contributing to both the Argentine men’s national volleyball team and the French club Tourcoing LM.

4. MASAHIRO SEKITA

Height: 5 feet 9 inches

Weight: 159 pounds

Spike: 122 inches

Masahiro Sekita, stationed in Tokyo, is a proficient setter, showcasing his skills while representing both the Japan men’s national volleyball team and the Osaka Sakai Blazers.

Commencing his career in 2016, he hasn’t had extensive opportunities to compete in tournaments beyond his home country, indicating the relatively short duration of his international career.

5. FRANCISCO RUIZ

Height: 5 feet 10 inches

Weight: 165 pounds

Spike: 135 inches

Hailing from Madrid, Spain, Francisco Ruiz, fulfilling the role of an outside spiker, represents Spain’s men’s national volleyball team.

While his nimble footwork and remarkable vertical jump make him a significant asset for his team, a lack of experience has prevented him from making an appearance in a national tournament thus far.

How To Succeed As A Short Outside Hitter

If aspiring for a frontcourt position in volleyball despite not having considerable height, here are the three most important actions to help you stand out.

1. Master Ball Control

Proficiency in controlling the ball is crucial as it ensures effective plays and contributes significantly to successful attacks in volleyball.

Given the potential of being less prominent as an offensive stand-out player, shorter outside hitters should prioritize refining their passing skills to an exceptional level.

The objective is to maximize your value as the most valuable asset on the court.

To enhance your performance, focus on refining ball control through precise passing and setting skills.

2. Maximize Your Jumping Ability

A shared attribute among all short outside hitters is their exceptional ability to achieve remarkable jumping heights.

Enhance your attacking and blocking capabilities by improving your vertical jump to reach higher.

Strengthen your lower body and increase explosiveness by engaging in targeted exercises.

3. Study Opponents and Adapt

By conducting a thorough analysis of opposing teams and players, you can gain insights into their strengths and weaknesses.

By adapting your game to exploit opponents’ vulnerabilities, particularly taller blockers, you can strategically find ways to secure points.

Also Read: Top 5 Best Outside Hitters In Volleyball 2024