College coaches evaluate volleyball recruits by focusing on core skills unique to each position. Tagging clips with the right skill helps coaches quickly access the plays most relevant to your strengths. Below, we outline the different positions in volleyball, and the skills college coaches will be looking for.

Volleyball Skills in Pinned Playlist:

• Attacking

• Blocking

• Passing

• Defense

• Setting

• Dumps

• Serving

• Other

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Setters

Setters are the quarterbacks of the court, responsible for strategic playmaking. Coaches will look for consistency, precision, and versatility in setting plays.

• Setting: Showcase a variety of sets to demonstrate your ability to organize the offense.
  • Examples:
    • “In-system” outside sets (e.g., “Go,” “Hut”)
    • Back sets (e.g., “Red,” “5”)
    • Quick middle sets (e.g., “1,” “Slides” “Gap”)
    • Out-of-system sets
• Dumps: Showcase offensive decision-making by including setter dumps that lead to scored points
• Defense: Highlight your defensive plays, especially digs of hard-driven balls and tip coverage.
• Blocking: Display blocks to highlight your ability to defend against opponents at the net.
• Serving: Demonstrate your serving range and variety (e.g., float, topspin).

   

Outside Hitters

Outside hitters are highly versatile, contributing in both offense and defense. Show coaches your power in attacks, consistency in passing, and agility in defense.

• Attacking: Highlight your attacking skills from various positions on the court.

  • Examples:

    • Outside in-system attacks

    • Outside out-of-system attacks

    • Right-side attacks

    • Back-row attacks

• Passing: Demonstrate accurate passing from different areas on the court, showing adaptability and control.

• Blocking: Include blocks that emphasize your timing and positioning against the opposing attackers.

• Defense: Add digs and defensive plays that show your agility against hard-driven balls and quick reactions to tips.

• Serving: Display a range of serves that highlight consistency and control (e.g., float, topspin, deep, short).

   

Middle Blockers

Middle blockers are key to controlling the net with fast, powerful attacks and strong defensive blocking.

• Attacking: Demonstrate quick attacks that showcase timing and precision in the middle.
  • Examples:
    • Quick “1” attacks
    • “Slide” attacks
    • “3” or “Gap” attacks
• Blocking: Highlight your blocking abilities by showcasing blocks against outside hitters, right-side attackers, and other middles.
• Defense: Include short serve passes and defensive plays to show additional contributions to the back row when applicable.
• Serving: Demonstrate control with a variety of serves, focusing on accuracy and consistency.

   

Opposites/Right-Side Hitters

Opposites, or right-side hitters, balance offensive and defensive responsibilities on the right side. Highlight your versatility with clips of attacking, blocking, and defense.

• Attacking: Show powerful right-side attacks, both in-system and out-of-system, with any back-row attacks if available.
  • Examples:
    • Right-side in-system attacks
    • Out-of-system right-side attacks
    • Outside attacks
• Blocking: Display blocks that emphasize your strength in defense, particularly against outside hitters.
• Defense: Include defensive plays showing quick responses and accurate digs against powerful attacks.
• Serving: Highlight your serving skills, focusing on consistent and accurate serves.

Liberos/Defensive Specialists

Liberos and defensive specialists focus on controlling the backcourt with precise passing and quick defensive plays.

• Passing/Serve Receive: Demonstrate consistency in passing from all court areas to show your ball control and adaptability.
• Defense: Highlight digs that show your ability to handle hard-driven balls and quick tips, covering all areas of the court.
• Setting: Try including some out-of-system sets to demonstrate your ability to support the team in making effective plays.
• Serving: Showcase both deep and short serve types, with variations like float and topspin to keep opponents on their toes.

After learning what coaches are looking for with your specific position, it’s time to start creating your pinned playlist. Check out our article, “Building and Publishing Pinned Playlists,” to get started!