Please help with 5-1 volleyball ?

Question

Okay I play JV highschool volleyball. Long story short, I'm the only one that makes an idiot of themselves at practice. I don't know what I'm doing and when I get the ball I'm still unsure of myself. Okay we do the 5-1 rotation. Let's say server is position one and front row weak side is position six. What are the responsiblities of each position. I realize we're always bumping to setter, who then sets to either weak side, outside or middle right? Or is middle only a middle blocker? I'm so confused. Back row doesn't change much from recieve to defense right? Only the outside and weak side switch sides one the balls changes over? Sometimes in I think defense the weak side get short balls and then back row weak side get's long ones? Then in Defense does middle blocker go to either side to help block? Front row only does blocking during defense? And what about front row where they hold hands and switch? Can anyway in detail tell me the responsiblities so I don't make an idiot of myself?

Answer 1

ok lots of questions. lol. if server is in position one, he plays back row weakside defense, unless its the setter, who in a 5-1, sets. the weakside player, whoever it may be, blocks on strongside hits, and covers for anything else, quick tempo middle hits, the weakside player covers the short ball or tip. the middle is a blocker, and can be used as a very effective hitter on quick tempo sets. when the back row recieves, they must remain in thier correct  rotational spot until they witch to pla defense on the hit. the middle, or libero, whoever plays back midle, moves only sde to side to dig and pass. that leaves the weakside and strongside in back row to move up and down. only the front row is allowed to play over the tape, meaning blocking and hitting. when you say hold hands and switch, i think you mean when a rightside and outside hitter switch to move to main defensive position. that means that when an outside hitter, say moves to the weakside position, he must cross with the outside hitter to get to his defensive "home". it seems that you do know the general idea of the sport which is good. just be confident in yourself. the only REAL way to learn the 5-1 rotation is to play it. good luck and keep up the volleyball!!

Answer 2

Normally, people will use the number the other way.  The order they serve.  That way if they tell you to serve to area  5, you will serve down the line to back row player instead of middle front.  

Just to make sure I read you correctly

Net

4  5  6

3  2  1

This is easy after 2 or 3 practices.  

Starting with the server in position 1, players 3 and 2 are responsible for the defense.  Setter 1 will try to run to the front row to set if they do not have to play the first ball.  The setter will return to right back to play defense if the ball remains in play.  Players 4,5, and 6 all are hitters.  

Next rotation where the setter is in middle back to start.  As soon as the ball is contacted for serve by your team, the setter and the right back will switch places.  lf the other team is serving, your setter will just run to the front row to set the ball.  If the ball is still in play, your setter will move to right back to play defense.  When the setter is in the back row, they almost always try to play defense from the right side.  That spot is closer to where they want to set from.  

Next rotation with the setter in left back.  They can either switch with right back or everyone can move over with the setter moving to right front.

Next rotation has the setter in the front row in the left front position.  The setter will move to right front as soon as possible.  The hitters will hit left front and middle front with the setter staying on the right side.  The back row can switch if someone is much stronger in the middle.  

Next rotation has the setter in the middle front starting position.  The setter will switch to the right side as soon as possible.

The final rotation has the setter in right front.  The two hitters can stay there or switch.  The setter will stay put.  

When the setter is in the back row, there will be 3 hitters on the front row and the setter will always switch to right back for defense and then run up to the front row to set.  When the setter is on the front row, the setter will switch to right front and will only have 2 hitters on the left and the middle.  

I hope that I have not confused you more.  If I have confused you of if you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.