What Volleyball Position Should I Play? 7 Things To Consider

Experiencing difficulty in determining the ideal volleyball position for yourself? You’re not alone in facing this challenge. 

Even elite volleyball players often undergo position changes throughout their careers in search of new opportunities.

Determining the most suitable volleyball position should primarily hinge on your physical attributes and strengths, as well as your preferences for specific aspects of the game.

What Volleyball Position Should I Play? In this article, I will guide you through a comprehensive analysis of the factors to consider before selecting a volleyball position to concentrate on.

So Let’s Start!

What Things You Need To Consider: What Volleyball Position Should I Play?

As a novice in the world of volleyball, it’s essential not to stress too much about positions initially. 

Take the time to step onto the court, immerse yourself in the game, and allow yourself the opportunity to discover your strengths and weaknesses.

In my first couple of years playing volleyball, I didn’t have an official position to worry about. 

If you’re unfamiliar with the different positions, I recommend reading my comprehensive article that explains the roles and responsibilities associated with each volleyball position.

As you progress, consider narrowing your focus to one primary player position while perhaps maintaining a secondary position for occasional play. 

I also suggest checking out my article where I ranked each position from the hardest to the easiest.

Specializing and honing position-specific skills early on can significantly accelerate your development as a volleyball player. 

Now, let’s delve into the list of crucial factors to contemplate before making your choice of volleyball position.

1. What Do You Enjoy?

What draws you to volleyball? Is it the exhilaration of going one-on-one with someone at the net, blocking their every move? 

Perhaps it’s the team dynamics that captivate you, or the satisfaction of executing challenging digs in the backcourt. 

Alternatively, do you relish the opportunity to unleash powerful spikes, crushing the ball into the attack line?

For me, the allure of spiking was the magnetic force that led me to the sport. 

Consequently, I knew I wasn’t inclined to be a setter or libero. 

My longstanding obsession with enhancing my vertical jump seamlessly aligned with the position I chose, where substantial jumping skills were crucial.

2. How Far Do You Want To Go In The Sport Of Volleyball?

Are you approaching volleyball as a source of enjoyment, a recreational activity to be cherished? 

Or do you envision a future where you could potentially play professionally, perhaps in Europe or another part of the world?

If you’re just embarking on your volleyball journey, it’s likely that such grand aspirations haven’t fully materialized, and you currently find satisfaction in the recreational aspect of the game. 

However, as time progresses, your initial interest may evolve into a deep passion, propelling you to excel in the sport.

For those of you harboring dreams of pursuing volleyball more seriously, whether aiming for a college scholarship, a professional career, or even the Olympics, careful consideration of the following factors is crucial. 

These considerations will significantly impact your success in specific positions on the volleyball court.

3. Height & Growth Potential

When evaluating younger athletes for our high-performance volleyball program, one crucial question we posed was about the height of their parents. 

Understanding whether you might reach a height of 180cm or 210cm becomes pivotal when considering suitable positions in volleyball.

Predicting your ultimate height can be challenging, especially if you’re still in your formative years. 

I recall a friend who stood at 6’2″ as a high school senior but experienced a remarkable growth spurt, reaching 6’8″ by the age of 22. 

This transformation shifted him from barely meeting the height requirement for an outside hitter to becoming tall enough to excel as a professional middle blocker!

Examine Your Current Age, Height, & Parents’ Height

In gauging your potential adult height, a reasonably accurate estimate can be derived by considering your current height and examining your parents’ height. 

While the prediction may not always be precise, a well-informed guess might place you within a 5-10cm range, although accuracy diminishes with younger age.

Now, let’s delve into how different volleyball positions align with specific height ranges. 

The following figures are grounded in the heights of fully grown adults, with men considered in their early 20s and women in the age range of 15-16.

The height ranges provided above are based on extensive analysis of hundreds of Olympic-level players from various countries. 

It’s essential to recognize that these heights serve as guidelines, and exceptions always exist.

Suppose you have a strong desire to be a hitter but anticipate a maximum height of 175cm as a woman. 

In that case, it might be worth considering the option of setting. 

In such a scenario, I would recommend practicing as an outside hitter while dedicating substantial time and effort to honing passing skills. 

This way, if the path as a passer-hitter doesn’t unfold as planned, there’s always the option of transitioning to a libero role.

Furthermore, investing time in the gym to enhance your vertical jump can significantly elevate your game. 

Remember, many passionate volleyball enthusiasts aren’t exceptionally tall, and that’s perfectly okay. 

While you can’t change your height, you can make the most of what you have. 

Explore my article on the best positions for shorter players to maximize your potential in the sport!

4. Left Handed Or Right Handed?

This aspect is particularly significant: if you’re a left-handed player, hitting from the right side of the court tends to be more favorable, while right-handed players often find it easier to hit from the left side. 

The rationale behind this lies in the reduced need for the ball to cross your entire body before entering your hitting window.

Consequently, most opposites, who specialize in hitting from the right side, are left-handed. 

Conversely, the majority of outside hitters, who typically attack from the left side, are right-handed. 

If you possess the potential for considerable height and are left-handed, diligent effort could transform you into an exceptional opposite hitter.

While right-handed opposites are not uncommon, they usually exhibit considerable height to compensate for the added difficulty in hitting the ball from the right side. 

Although left-handed outside hitters are a rare find at the highest levels, they do exist and can make a distinctive impact on the game.

If You’re A Lefty, Choose Opposite Or Setter!

If you find yourself not towering in height but possess a left-handed advantage, contemplating a role as a setter might be a strategic move. 

Left-handed setters, especially when positioned in the front court, offer a distinct advantage. They can execute spikes or dumps over the net more effortlessly than their right-handed counterparts. The unique skill set of a left-handed setter can add a valuable dimension to a team’s offensive capabilities.

5. Jumping Ability

Assessing your natural springiness as an athlete is crucial in volleyball. 

While many might describe themselves as “not very” or “average,” some individuals possess a God-given ability to jump high. 

The capacity to jump is indeed important in volleyball, though it is not the sole determinant of success.

Regardless of your starting point, vertical jump ability can be developed over years with consistent hard work and dedication. 

I, personally, used to characterize my vertical jump as ‘aggressively average.’ 

However, through three to four years of dedicated weightlifting, I managed to achieve a 35″ vertical and a 344cm spike reach by the age of 17. This transformation underscores the potential for significant improvement with persistent effort.

Which Positions Need To Be Able To Jump High?

The significance of jumping ability varies across volleyball positions, with outside hitters placing a premium on vertical prowess. 

This heightened importance stems from the fact that outside hitters are typically the shortest attackers and often face formidable opposite blockers.

For instance, if you’re a towering 200cm outside hitter, the imperative for an exceptionally high jump may be less pronounced compared to a 180cm counterpart. 

The height difference underscores the critical role that jumping ability plays in compensating for shorter stature when navigating the challenges posed by imposing opposite blockers.

A Massive Vertical Jump Can Be A Huge Asset

Allow me to share the inspiring tale of Mireya Luis, who holds the distinction of being the highest-jumping women’s volleyball player in history. 

Despite her modest height of 175cm, she achieved the world’s highest spike height.

This remarkable story underscores a powerful message for not-so-tall outside hitters: success in volleyball is absolutely attainable, but it demands a focus on developing exceptional jumping abilities. 

Learning the art of jumping can be the key to overcoming height limitations and making a substantial impact on the court.

6. Exceptional Talents & Ability

Possessing an unusual talent in digging, passing, or setting can set you apart on the volleyball court. 

Do you boast amazing fingers, renowned for the nectar sets they produce? 

Alternatively, is your agility unmatched, allowing you to dig balls that others can’t even approach?

If you identify a particular talent in any of these areas, it’s worth doubling down on that strength. 

Redirect your time and effort towards further developing and honing that unique ability. 

Specializing in a standout skill can make you an invaluable asset to your team and significantly elevate your impact on the game.

It’s Never Too Early To Specialize

Imagine you’re on the shorter side, yet your passion lies in being an excellent defender, relishing the art of passing. 

Early on, you make the deliberate choice to carve your path as a libero. While others dabble in passing, setting, and spiking, your singular focus centers on mastering the skills of passing and digging.

This dedicated approach means that, over time, you accumulate a wealth of repetitions that surpass what others might gather. 

Specializing as a libero becomes a natural outcome, and your proficiency in passing and digging is likely to be unparalleled due to the countless hours invested in these specific skills.

Conversely, specializing as a hitter can be more challenging. 

Playing different positions for various teams—perhaps middle at school and outside/opposite for your club—may demand a broader skill set. 

The ability to adapt and excel in different roles showcases versatility but may not afford the same level of specialization that can be achieved in specific defensive positions.

7. What Personality Traits & Leadership Skills Do You Have?

In my experience, I’ve observed that certain positions in volleyball are better suited to individuals with specific personality traits.

Consider the role of a setter, for instance. 

If you’re a reserved, quiet individual who prefers solitude and isn’t naturally inclined to be a vocal communicator, you might find the setter position challenging. 

This role demands someone who is ready to take charge on the court, make crucial decisions, and assume responsibility for orchestrating the entire offense. 

Being the most vocal player on the team is a fundamental aspect of being an effective setter, and not everyone may be comfortable with that level of assertiveness—and that’s perfectly fine.

Similar expectations apply to outside hitters, who serve as the primary attackers on the court. Individuals in these positions must be willing to shoulder extra responsibilities and ideally possess solid leadership skills.

On the other hand, middle blockers, opposites, and liberos can adopt a more low-key approach, focusing on playing their designated roles without necessarily being the team’s primary decision-maker. 

Each position demands a unique blend of skills and characteristics, and understanding where you fit best can significantly contribute to your success on the volleyball court.

Don’t Get Attached To Your Position

Your current position in volleyball may not necessarily be the one you occupy in the years to come. 

As your skills develop, your physical attributes change, and your understanding of the game deepens, you might find yourself transitioning to a different position on the court. 

Remaining open to growth, adaptation, and new opportunities within the sport can lead to a dynamic and rewarding volleyball journey.

Don’t Get Attached To Your Position

The position you currently hold in volleyball may not define your identity in the long run. 

My earlier example of a friend who grew 6 inches in 4 years illustrates how opportunities can dramatically shift. 

Starting as a 6’2″ passer-hitter contemplating a switch to libero, he ultimately transformed into a 6’8″ opposite hitter.

In my own journey, I began as a middle blocker on the national youth team but was explicitly advised to switch to an outside hitter if I aspired to make the senior men’s team. 

Being open to changing your position can present opportunities that might not otherwise arise.

I’ve witnessed individuals trying out for state teams in one position and later earning a national championship medal in an entirely different role. 

While liberos or setters can generally specialize in their positions early on, wing hitters, particularly, should practice hitting from both sides of the court. 

This versatility allows them to seamlessly transition between outside and opposite positions when strategic or necessary. 

Adaptability in your playing position can open doors to unexpected opportunities and contribute significantly to your overall growth in the sport.

Your Position Will Probably Choose You

You may discover that you have less influence over your volleyball position than you’d prefer. 

In my case, being one of the taller players when I began playing quickly led me into the role of a middle blocker. While I had initially tried my hand at being an outside hitter, I found little success in that position.

Given my achievements as a middle blocker, that became my predominant role throughout most of my volleyball career. 

During the initial stages of trying out for a volleyball team, coaches often make position assignments based on factors like height or their initial impression of your abilities. 

The early assignments may not necessarily reflect your long-term potential or preferences, but they offer a starting point for your development in the sport.

Make A Decision And Stand By It

While it’s entirely acceptable to go with the flow and play the positions assigned to you, there comes a point where it’s beneficial to make deliberate decisions about your long-term goals. 

In my own experience, despite being the tallest player on my high school team, I recognized that I wouldn’t reach the necessary height for that position at the senior level. 

Reflecting on this earlier could have prompted me to focus on a different position.

However, the dilemma lies in the potential impact on the team. Choosing to focus elsewhere might mean letting the team down, especially if there isn’t another player capable of filling that specific role. 

Balancing personal aspirations with team responsibilities involves careful consideration of multiple factors.

If you find yourself unhappy with your current position, don’t hesitate to explore other roles and even refuse certain positions for specific teams.

This willingness to try something different can provide valuable experience and help you make a smoother transition to a more suitable position.

For those playing at a high level, consider experimenting with other positions in a more casual or relaxed setting where there’s less pressure and expectation. This approach allows you to broaden your skill set without the weight of intense competition.

I hope these considerations provide you with plenty to ponder. Best of luck in your volleyball journey!

Also Read: The Weirdest Rules in Volleyball