For the longest time, I was always really confused on what the numbers hitters call out to the setter mean. Around 2 weeks ago, during one of the open-play volleyball sessions, there was a guy who didn’t know what it meant so he asked his friend was it meant while they were waiting to get back in the game. Because there were more than 12 people there that day, people rotated off the court. So when I was waiting for my turn, I overheard the boys talking about it. According to them, the numbers aren’t different angles the volleyball is set at but the positions on the court. Later that night, I searched it up and it turns out what the boys said was correct. Here’s a picture to help visualize what it looks like:

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| 3 1 |

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| 2 |

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| 5 4 |

| Setter |

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| Setter |

| 4 5 |

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| 2 |

| 3 1 |

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The numbers count clockwise, 1 being position the player is in after serving and if there is 13+ people; where the person enters the game. As stated in the rules of volleyball, the same person can’t touch the volleyball twice in a row, another person needs to touch it after you and before you. Therefore, the setter can’t set themselves during a game, hence no need for a 6th position to set.

If the setter were to set a 1, they would set it behind 5, so 1 has enough space to hit the ball.

Setting a two could be directly behind setter position or the setter could set the volleyball directly above and move out of the way to 2 can spike it.

If the setter sets a 3, they would set the volleyball behind 4.

Another option for setting 1 and 3 is setting it on the same line 2 stands on but shifted over closer to 1 and 3. This could allow for a trickery diagonal shot to receive. But it can cause a little bit of confusion between 1 and 2 or 2 and 3.

Note: 4 and 5 usually back up a little while calling their number so they can jump hit to get a better angle for scoring points.

Setting 4 could be set a little front left of the setter or where for was originally standing in the picture if they had backed up a little.

Setting 5 would be pretty much the same as setting 4 but on the right side instead. Setting it front right of the setter or where 5 was standing originally before moving back.

Thank you for reading! Hope this helps! ❤