5-1 Serve Receive
Rotations for running a 5-1 offense

Strategies for a 5-1 serve receive are slightly different.

In a 5-1 volleyball offense, a team has 1 setter and 5 hitters. The setter sets in every rotation. This is different from a 6-2 offense in that not only does the setter set when playing on the back row, but also across the front row.

When the setter is on the front row...

• Have players pass tighter to the net
  When the setter is front row, the setter can also be a front row attacker. Passing the ball up closer to the net can give the setter the option to attack the ball. This can make it difficult for the opposing team to defend because a front row setter has the option to attack, tip, dump or set a hitter.


• Have your backline players receive the serve
  If your attackers are forced to receive the serve, it may be much harder to run an effective offense. Attackers being in a ready position to approach is even more important when the setter is on the front row because when the setter is in the frontline, you only have two frontline attackers.

Here are some examples of 5-1 serve receive rotations for teams running a 5-1 offense.

Volleyball Rotations - Setter in Position 5

When the Setter is in Left Back, it is only illegal for them to overlap Left Front or Middle Back players.

Volleyball Rotations - Setter in Position 4

Setter in Left Front only has to worry about overlapping Left Back or Middle Front.

Volleyball Rotations - Setter in Position 3

Setter in Middle Front only has to worry about overlapping Left Front or Right Front or Middle Back.

Volleyball Rotations - Setter in Position 2

Setter in Right Front only has to worry about overlapping Middle Front or Left Back.

Volleyball Rotations - Setter in Position 1

Setter in Right Back only has to worry about overlapping Right Front or Middle Back.

Volleyball Rotations - Setter in Position 6

Setter in Middle Back only has to worry about overlapping Left Back or Right Back or Middle Front.

In the photo above, the Middle Front player is stack to the right side of the court.

Remember, these are just basic serve receive rotations. For example, in the drawing above, let's say the MF player wants to hit outside. The MF can move over close to the left sideline (as long as they don't overlap with LF) to be in a better ready position to get outside for an approach to attack.

Always adjust your line up to fit your teams needs.

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