Rotations 1-6 of the 4-2 Volleyball Rotation: Description + PDF Guide
Posted on: 7/23/25
Last updated: 7/23/25
Author: Thalia A. U.
ROTATIONS 1-6 EXPLAINED: THE 4-2 VOLLEYBALL ROTATION.
Check out my instant downloadable guide to rotations 1-6 including an in-game cheat sheet for the 4-2 rotation on my Etsy page:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4334758415/?ref=share_ios_native_control
If you’re an aspiring coach or athlete, or someone who is trying to brush up on their knowledge of the 4-2 Volleyball rotation then you’ve found the right spot!
Be sure to watch my detailed Youtube video (Soon to come) to follow along, and learn in depth about each SR rotation in our 4-2 system.
Remember that rotations can always be modified by a coach, so long as they are still adhering to staying in rotation
ROTATION 1(SETTER IN 4)
(SETTER 1 SETTING)
Rotation Positions:
Setter 1 = position 4
Setter 2/DS = position 1
Outside 1 = position 2
Middle 1 = position 3
Outside 2/DS = position 5
Libero = position 6
Base positions (Can be modified):
Right side of court = Setter 1, setter 2/DS
Middle of court = Middle, Libero
Left side of court = Outside 1, outside 2/DS
Serve Receive:
Setter 1, Middle 1, and Outside 1 stack in the front-row (without crossing each others bodies before server contacts ball). All 3 players aim to run to base position (Middle in middle, setter in right side, outside on left side).
ROTATION 2 (SETTER IN 3)
(SETTER 1 SETTING)
Rotation Positions:
Setter 1 = position 3
Setter 2/DS = position 6
Outside 1/DS = position 1
Middle 1 = position 2
Outside 2 = position 4
Libero = position 5
Base positions (Can be modified):
Right side of court = Setter 1, setter 2/DS
Middle of court = Middle, Libero
Left side of court = Outside 2, outside 1/DS
Serve Receive:
Front-row: Setter 1, and Middle 1 stack in the front-row (without crossing each others bodies before server contacts ball). All 3 players aim to run to base position (Middle in middle, setter in right side, outside on left side).
Back-row: Outside 1/DS, Setter 2/DS, and Libero will run to their base positions once the ball is sent BACK over the net by our team (AKA: stay for 1).
ROTATION 3 (SETTER IN 2)
(SETTER 1 SETTING)
Rotation Positions:
Setter 1 = position 2
Setter 2/DS = position 5
Outside 1/DS = position 6
(Now in) Middle 2 = position 4
Outside 2 = position 3
Libero = position 1
Base positions (Can be modified):
Right side of court = Setter 1, setter 2/DS
Middle of court = Middle, Libero
Left side of court = Outside 2, outside 1/DS
Serve Receive:
Front-row: Outside 2, and Middle 2 stack in the front-row (without crossing each others bodies before server contacts ball). Both players aim to run to base position (Middle in middle, outside on left side of court). Setter 1 is already in their ideal positioning.
Back-row: Outside 1/DS, Setter 2/DS, and Libero will run to their base positions once the ball is sent BACK over the net by our team (AKA: stay for 1).
ROTATION 4 (SETTER IN 4)
(SETTER 2 SETTING)
Rotation Positions:
Setter 2 = position 4
Setter 1/DS = position 1
Outside 1/DS = position 5
Middle 2 = position 3
Outside 2 = position 2
Libero = position 6
Base positions (Can be modified):
Right side of court = Setter 2, setter 1/DS
Middle of court = Middle, Libero
Left side of court = Outside 2, outside 1/DS
Serve Receive:
Front-row: Setter 2, and Outside 2 stack in the middle nearby middle 2 (without crossing each others bodies before server contacts ball). Both players aim to run to base position (Middle in middle, outside on left side of court). Middle 2 is already in their ideal positioning.
Back-row: Every player is in their base/ideal positioning! (Yay!).
ROTATION 5 (SETTER IN 3)
(SETTER 2 SETTING)
Rotation Positions:
Setter 2 = position 3
Setter 1/DS = position 6
Outside 1 = position 4
Middle 2 = position 2
Outside 2/DS = position 1
Libero = position 5
Base positions (Can be modified):
Right side of court = Setter 2, setter 1/DS
Middle of court = Middle, Libero
Left side of court = Outside 1, outside 2/DS
Serve Receive:
Front-row: Setter 2, and Middle 2 stack in the front-row (without crossing each others bodies before server contacts ball). Both players aim to run to base position (Middle in middle, outside on left side of court, Setter on right side). Outside 1 is already in their ideal positioning.
Back-row: Outside 2/DS, Setter 2/DS, and Libero will run to their base positions once the ball is sent BACK over the net by our team (AKA: stay for 1).
ROTATION 6 (SETTER IN 2)
(SETTER 2 SETTING)
Rotation Positions:
Setter 2 = position 2
Setter 1/DS = position 5
Outside 1 = position 3
(Now in) Middle 1 = position 4
Outside 2/DS = position 6
Libero = position 1
Base positions (Can be modified):
Right side of court = Setter 2, setter 1/DS
Middle of court = Middle, Libero
Left side of court = Outside 1, outside 2/DS
Serve Receive:
Front-row: Outside 1, and Middle 1 stack in the front-row (without crossing each others bodies before server contacts ball). Both players aim to run to base position (Middle in middle, outside on left side of court). Setter 2 is already in their ideal positioning.
Back-row: Outside 2/DS, Setter 1/DS, and Libero will run to their base positions once the ball is sent BACK over the net by our team (AKA: stay for 1).
IN CONCLUSION…
Be sure to check out my instant downloadable guide for all 1-6 rotations (A full layout, not cropped like seen in this blog post) with rotation positions, base positions, and detailed serve receive notes. Also included is an in-game cheat sheet for quick review during matches.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4334758415/?ref=share_ios_native_control
Be sure to also check out my detailed Youtube video (linked at top of blog article) to ensure you get all the important facts!
Good luck, and I’ll see you in the next blog post!
-Coach T