The 5-1 Volleyball Rotation: PDF Guide to Rotations 1-6

Written on: 5/31/25

Last updated: 5/31/25

Author: Thalia U.

Rotations 1-6 Explained: The 5-1 Volleyball Rotation, Beginner Friendly

Check out my instant downloadable guide to rotations 1-6 including an in-game cheat sheet on my Etsy page:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/4305007761/?ref=share_ios_native_control

If you’re an aspiring coach/athlete, or someone who is just trying to brush up on their knowledge of the 5-1 Volleyball rotation, you’ve found the right spot!

Be sure to watch my detailed Youtube video (Listed above) to follow along, and learn in depth about each SR rotation in our 5-1 system.

Remember that rotations can always be modified by a coach, so long as they are still adhering to staying in rotation


SR Rotation 1(Setter in 1)

Offense:

  • OPP hits OH for 1

  • OH1 hits RS for 1

Defense:

  • OH1 pulls back to cover S, & pass

  • OH1 stays in front of S

Rotation Positions:

Setter in 1, OH1 in 2, MB1 in 3, OPP in 4,

OH2 (or) DS in 5, Libero in 6


SR Rotation 2 (Setter in 6)

Offense:

  • Setter pushes up to front-row, behind OPP

  • MB1 on 10ft line

Defense:

  • OH2 drops back to pass

  • Libero shifts to position 6

Rotation Positions:

Setter in 6, OH1/DS in 1, MB1 in 2, OPP in 3,

OH2 in 4, Libero in 5


SR rOTATION 3 (sETTER IN 5) (mb2 IN)

Offense:

  • Setter pulls up to stack with OH2 and MB2

Defense:

  • OPP pulls back to pass

  • L & OH1 (or DS) shift over

Rotation Positions:

Setter in 5, OH1/DS in 6, MB2 in 4, OPP in 2,

OH2 in 3, Libero in 1


SR Rotation 4 (Setter in 4: Front-row)

Offense:

  • MB2 pulls to stack with Setter

Defense:

  • OH2 pulls back to pass in P5

  • OPP passing/covering in deep corner

  • Libero pulls up to pass

  • OH1 (or DS) shifts over to pass

Rotation Positions:

Setter in 1, OH1 in 2, MB1 in 3, OPP in 4,

OH2 (or) DS in 5, Libero in 6

SR Rotation 5 (Setter in 3: Front-row)

Offense:

  • MB2 hits RS for 1, or runs to Middle to hit in middle

Defense:

  • OH1 pulls back to pass

  • Libero pulls up to pass

  • OPP covering/passing deep

Rotation Positions:

Setter in 3, OH1 in 4, MB2 in 2, OPP in 6,

OH2 (or) DS in 1, Libero in 5


SR Rotation 6 (Setter in 2: Front-row) (MB1 in)

Offense:

  • MB2 hits OH for 1, & OH1 hits Middle for 1

    OR

  • MB2 runs to middle to hit out of middle, & OH1 passes/waits for 1st contact to be made then runs to hit in OH

Defense:

  • OPP pulls deep to pass

  • OH1 pulls back to pass in P5

Rotation Positions:

Setter in 2, OH1 in 3, MB1 in 4, OPP in 5,

OH2 (or) DS in 6, Libero in 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) including an in-game cheat sheet for quick review during matches.

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






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The 5-1 Volleyball Rotation Explained: A Beginner Friendly Description