How Many Players Are on a Volleyball Team?

If you’ve ever wondered how many players are on a volleyball team you are not alone. The answer turns out to be more complicated than expected. The number of players depends on things like the number of substitutions and positions of players.

How Many Players Are on a Volleyball Team?

The number of volleyball players on a team changes based on the type of game being played and the number of substitutions allowed. For example, indoor volleyball games have up to 12 players on a team: 6 people on the court and up to 6 substitutions. Beach volleyball has 2 players on a team with zero substitutions.

Players on the Team and on the Court

Volleyball is enjoyed recreationally by more than 800 million worldwide and the first broadcast Olympic volleyball game had more than 1 billion views. With so many people, it’s no wonder there are a lot of different types of volleyball out there. Each game variation has a different required number of players allowed on a team, and a different amount of players allowed on the court.

The table below covers the six most popular types of volleyball and the number of players they allow. Indoor volleyball allows the greatest number of players on a team while beach volleyball has the least.

Positions

Although there are only 6 players allowed on a court, there are 7 possible positions an indoor volleyball player can have. From left to right the front row has outside and middle hitters, and a setter. Hitters spike the ball on the third hit and setters use the second hit to set up the hitters.

In the back row, there are two defense specialists for returning hits, and a serving specialist to serve. Opposite hitters can take the front row when the setter is in the back row. Finally, liberos are an optional seventh player on the court roster.

Standard beach volleyball has two players. There aren’t designated positions for players in this version of the sport. However, oftentimes the shortest player regularly acts as a setter during a volley.

Substitutions

Allowing substitutes change the number of people on the court compared to the overall number of players. Team members can give each a break and provide moral support from the bench.

The number of substitutes allowed changes the way a game of volleyball is played. For example, having zero substitutions and dealing with outdoor elements makes beach volleyball a game of endurance compared to indoor volleyball.

Libero

Now for the tricky part. In indoor volleyball, there is a special role that was first created in 1999 called libero. This person serves as the second defensive specialist, taking the place of middle hitters in the back row.

A libero can count as the seventh person on a team’s court because they do not need to use substitution to jump into the game for someone. While liberos may technically be the seventh player on a starting court roster, for the majority of the game there are still only 6 players on a court.

Liberos wear a different color than the rest of the team and have particular rules. They are not allowed to spike the ball past the service line. Unlike other players, the libero never rotates to the front row.

Related Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about players in a volleyball team.

What Positions Can Block the Ball?

Only the front three positions in volleyball can block the ball: the outside hitter, the middle blocker, the setter, or the opposite hitter. If any back-row player were to block or even attempt to do it, the play would be invalidated and they would lose a point.

Who Is the Seventh Player in Volleyball?

Although only six players are allowed on the court, the libero is considered the seventh. This is due to the fact that the rules allow liberos to sub in and out as many times as they like. As a result, the libero position can deviate from the standard 6 people per team rule.

Can You Have More Than 12 Players on a Volleyball Team?

Yes, you can have more than 12 players on a volleyball team. This way, they will be able to practice with themselves by playing matches. On top of that, if a player gets injured or is unable to play a game, you will be able to substitute them with no problems.

Conclusion

As you can see, the number of volleyball players on a team varies greatly based on the type of volleyball being played. Substitutions and positions like the libero can also add additional players to a team.