Indoor volleyball has six players per side, and they do not stay in fixed positions. Each time a team wins the right to serve, its players rotate one position clockwise.
It means every player must take turns at the front and the back of the court.
The six positions
Positions are numbered one to six. Position one is the back right, where the server stands. Numbers then run anticlockwise around the court: two is front right, three front centre, four front left, five back left, and six back centre.
When rotation happens
A team rotates when it wins a rally on the opponent’s serve, known as a side-out. The player who moves into position one serves next. If the serving team wins a rally, the same player keeps serving and no one rotates.
Overlap rules
At the moment of serve, players must be in the correct order relative to their neighbours. Front-row players must be in front of their corresponding back-row players, and side-to-side order must be correct. Once the ball is served, players can move anywhere.
Back-row restrictions
- â–¸Back-row players cannot block
- â–¸They cannot attack the ball above the net from in front of the attack line
- ▸They can attack from behind the attack line, which is why you see “back-row attacks”
The libero
The libero wears a different-coloured shirt and is a defensive specialist. They can replace any back-row player without a formal substitution, but cannot attack the ball above net height or, in most competitions, serve.
This is general sports information and commentary. Rules, schedules, and records change — check official league, federation, and event sources for the latest details. Consult a qualified coach or medical professional before starting a new training programme.