How to fill out a volleyball line-up/roster sheet

Published on: 8/3/24

Last updated: 8/3/24

Author: Thalia U.

How to fill out a volleyball line-up/roster sheet

Whether you’re a new coach to volleyball, or an experienced coach who needs a refresher… this blog post will help you feel confident heading into your volleyball match when filling out the important game line-up sheet.

Ensuring your game line up sheet is filled out correctly keeps you and your athletes calm and reassured during an already high intensity match.

I filmed a Youtube video (linked above) if you would prefer to follow along with a visual example.

Otherwise lets dive right into our blog post (see what I did there, haha… sigh)

1) Find + print out your area’s lineup sheet

When I get to my games (home or away) the scores table and referees need you to bring your own lineup sheets. On occasion I’ve had nice coaches who have an extra sheet when I forget mine, but that was far and few… so its better to come prepared by printing out your own lineup sheets (or having your athletic director print them out for you).

I live in the United States in Massachusetts, so when I’m googling the lineup sheet I need I type in “Massachusetts Volleyball lineup and roster sheet” and click on a link from my states athletic association (MIAA).

My game lineup sheet for Massachusetts looks like this:

This PDF document is downloaded onto my computer so that I can easily access it when getting prepared for a long week of matches… especially when I have to coach JV and Varsity games back to back.

I typically print out 8-10 sheets at a time (not double sided) so that I can have extras in case other coaches need it (I on average get asked 3-4 times a season by other coaches for an extra lineup sheet) and also so I have enough for a few weeks.

2) Fill out the roster section

Your next step is going to be filling out the roster section of your game line up sheet. This is the section that lists your athletes jersey number, with their first name within that same section.

The roster section looks like this:

As you can see on the left hand column you will fill out jersey numbers, and on the right hand side you will fill out those athletes names.

For example: On the first line I would write 9, and on the same line next to it (right side of the jersey #) I would write Jerry… who’s jersey number is 9.

Filling out your team’s roster is helpful for coaches who don’t memorize their players jerseys (I am that coach… kudos to those that can but my brain doesn’t have space for it!).

Some of your opponents will also ask for your roaster if they are making stats for their team as well as your team, so this tip is helpful for many reasons.

3) Coin toss

During warm ups (or prior to) the referees will call over both teams coaches and captains for the coin toss. The coin toss is where referees go over logistics for the match (Where the gym’s volleyball court lines are, mention any possible obstructions from the roof, etc) as well as run the coin toss which helps determine which team will be serving first.

Knowing which team is serving first helps us as coaches finalize our game line up sheet because we need to indicate who is serving first (even if we lose the coin toss).

If the coin toss happened, and your captains won the coin toss and then chose to serve first then you’d circle the athlete who (you’re about to put) in rotation position number 1. If your opponents won the coin toss and chose first serve, you would then have to circle the athlete who you put in position number 2 as your first server.

Below i’ve listed the spots on the court to help indicate where the serving spot is (#1) all the way to spot number 6.

We will go over how to properly indicate who’s serving first in the last section of this blog post, but this covers most of what the could mean until we get to that section!

4) Fill out first set’s lineup + indicate if using a libero

Now that the coin toss has happened, you can fully complete your first set’s game line up. It’s hard to find a quiet space to fill out your line up sheet, so I typically try to do it during my opponents warm up, or my team’s warm up (if I have assistant coaches to help run that for me).

The most important thing to note is that similar positions need to be set up across from their similar position. This means setters need to be “across” the opposite (or 2nd setter). Middles need to be “across” middles, and outsides need to be “across” outsides/DS.

The easiest way I found to do this when I first started coaching was to start with placing my starting setter on the lineup sheet. I typically set up my setter in position 1 for my Varsity girls, thus meaning I place my opposite in position number 4.

Below is a visual example of this:

Afterwards I would place my starting middle in position 3, and my second middle in position 6 when using a libero (We will go over this in the next section!), and my starting outside in position 2, with my second outside starting in position 5.

This is what I use for my experiencing teams who can handle a tough 5-1 rotation where I utilize one setter, and a fast paced rotation.

For my beginner teams I typically use simpler starting line ups so they don’t have to think/run as much. This would look like starting my setter in position 2, and my 2nd setter in position 5. Then I would put my two middles in positions 3 and 6 (when using a libero), and my outsides in positions 4 and 1.

Below is an example of what that would look like:

The main thing to take away however is that positions need to be across from each other, like I mentioned earlier. You could technically start any position in any numbered spot on the court as long as you keep their “similar/supporting” position teammates across from them.

We need to do this to ensure there is always an outside, middle, and setter/opposite in the front row. It would be a disaster if you filled out your stating line up sheet incorrectly by placing both setters (for example) in the back-row… so just keep reminding yourself that this is the main rule of thumb for these line up sheets.

You will be filling out set line up sheets sometimes 5 times a match (one for each new set) so you will quickly get the hang of it however!

when using a libero…

You need to indicate that you are by writing your liberos jersey number on the “L” line you see above each set’s court line up sheet.

Below is an example of the L line, and a made up jersey # for a libero

If you’re using a libero you need to remember to still write both middles jersey numbers on the line up sheet. Do not list the liberos jersey number at the top and also write their number in position 6… this will be incorrect!

If you’re not using a libero, you should still indicate that by writing a 0 with a strike through it (like so: 0 ).

Otherwise the referees will likely ask you “Are you using a libero this set?”. Which isn’t a big deal, but saves you and the referees a bit of mental space to worry about other things possibly happening.

5) Indicate who’s first server + floor captain

Our last few step before we can hand in our line up sheet to the scores table and referees is indicating who will be serving first, and who your floor captain will be for that set.

When you recall the coin toss, did your team win the first serve, or did your opponents? If your team won first serve you will circle the athlete you placed in position number 1.

Below is an example of what this would look like (The numbers listed are made up jersey #’s, not court position #’s):

If your team lost the coin toss, and your opponent won the first serve then you would still have to circle who your first server would be. Since we rotate each time we earn a point back/possession of the serve back then we will circle the player who’s in position 2.

Below is an example of what this would look like (The numbers listed are made up jersey #’s, not court position #’s):

So, to keep it simple you will either circle the athlete who is starting in position 1 when you win the first serve of the game, or you will circle the athlete in position 2 when your opponent wins the first serve of the game.

When you’re indicating who the set’s floor captain is…

you need to consider choosing a player who is a great leader and advocate for the team, but also who will most likely stay on the court for the entirely of the set.

The reason we want a player who will likely stay on the court without substitution is because each time your floor captain subs out the scores table and down referee will need to ask you, “who’s your new floor captain?”. This takes up both the coaches, and referees mental space/time so it’s best to try your best to just choose someone who usually stays in for the entirely of the set.

I usually pick my setter, and I would never choose a middle or libero. My middles and liberos are switching every 3 rotations so that would be a disaster to keep up with as I’m taking live game statistics, coaching my 6 players on, and managing the bench + scores table/referee.

In conclusion…

A completed roster/game line up sheet for the first set will look something like this:

Usually there will be a nice coach, referee, or person running the scores table (but no promises… they aren’t always nice, haha!) so try to drop your ego and ask questions when you’re unsure.

Referees and coaches can be wrong on numerous occasions, but asking questions is an easy way to show you’re open to looking vulnerable and learning from others as a head coach.

If you have any more question leave them in my comments down below, otherwise i hope to see you in another blog post!

-Coach T