Volleyball Lineup Sheet: How to Fill It In and Plan Rotations
What a volleyball lineup sheet is, how to fill in the serving order I–VI, where the libero goes and how to plan lineups for a 5-1 or 6-2.
Before every set, each coach gives the scorer a lineup sheet (also called a line-up card). It lists the six starting players in serving order, and it decides where everyone stands for that set. Getting it right prevents rotation faults and lost points.
What's on a lineup sheet
- Team name, set number and which team serves first.
- Six boxes labelled I to VI in the court layout: I is right back (the first server), II right front, III middle front, IV left front, V left back and VI middle back.
- A space for the libero numbers on some versions, and the coach's signature.
How to fill it in
- Write the first server in box I.
- Go round counter-clockwise: box II is the player in right front, then III in middle front, and so on.
- Check that players with the same role are opposite each other: I and IV, II and V, III and VI.
- Do not write the libero in the six boxes. The libero comes in for a back-row player after the lineup has been checked.
- Sign it and hand it to the scorer or second referee before the set starts. Once submitted, the lineup can only change through substitutions.
Sample 5-1 lineup
| Box | Court spot | Player |
|---|---|---|
| I | Right back | Setter |
| II | Right front | Outside hitter 1 |
| III | Middle front | Middle blocker 1 |
| IV | Left front | Opposite |
| V | Left back | Outside hitter 2 |
| VI | Middle back | Middle blocker 2 (libero replaces) |
Starting with the setter in I, often called "rotation 1", gives you three front-row hitters right away. Some coaches start in another rotation to match up their best hitter against the opponent's weaker blocker.
Strategy: which rotation to start in
- Serving first? Put your toughest server in box I.
- Receiving first? Start in your best serve-receive rotation, since you'll rotate to the next one as soon as you side out.
- Matchups: shifting your lineup by one or two spots changes which of your hitters faces which of their blockers.
Common mistakes
- Writing the order clockwise instead of counter-clockwise.
- Putting both middles next to each other, which leaves rotations with no middle in front.
- Forgetting that the team that serves first changes each set.
Volleyball Scoreboard: Keeper has a lineup card for your players. Set it before the match and the app follows the rotation as the serve changes hands.