4 Strong Options for Setting a Starting Lineup in Volleyball

At the start of every game, coaches must submit their team’s starting lineup to the work table:

    • Be sure to mark your libero(s), floor captain, and signature
    • Positions do not need to be marked, only numbers
    • This is the starting rotation that players must be in at the start of every rally
    • Down refs check the teams’ starting positions before every game

Players can be put onto the court in any order, but volleyball lineups are usually set with the same position players being across the court from each other.

This allows one of the position player to always be in the front row while the other is in the back row.

An example of a starting lineup with a 5-1

Balance is Important

    • Setting a balanced lineup is usually more effective than having a lineup with some rotations that are particularly strong or weak
    • This may mean pairing your best hitter with your weaker setter

Setters Usually Lead OH

    • When setting a starting lineup, the setters can lead either the outside hitters or the middle hitters
    • The serve receive formations are usually “cleaner” when the setters lead the outside hitters

1) Best Servers First

The most common starting lineup is to have your best servers be the first ones to serve in the game. 

This allows you to put maximum pressure on the other team right from the beginning of the game, as well as increases the probability that your best servers will have additional chances to serve later in the game. 

2) Best Hitter Starting Front Left

Another common starting line up is to have your best hitter starting in the front left position, maximizing the amount of rotations they are in the front row (and able to get kills). This also increases the chance that they will have additional chances to be in the front row later in the game.

If you use this strategy, make sure your setters know to set that player a disproportionate amount.

3) Strongest Serve Receive Rotations

Starting in your team’s strongest serve receive rotation should prevents early runs from the other team and is a good way to start building momentum in the early game.

You can find your team’s strongest serve receive formation with our free stat templates.

4) Furthest Away From Weakest Serve Receive Rotations

Just as you want to maximize your team’s serve receive strengths, you’ll want to minimize its weaknesses.

If there is a serve receive formation that your team often gets stuck in, setting a starting line up that is furthest away from this rotation may be a wise move.