The 5-1 is the most common system from 14U club volleyball up to college: one setter runs the offense in all six rotations, with an opposite hitter across from her. Type your six starters below to get a printable 5-1 rotation sheet with every rotation drawn on the court.
The six 5-1 rotations
Positions are listed from left to right as seen from your own back line, with the net in front of you. After every side-out, players rotate one zone clockwise and the player moving to zone 1 serves.
| Rotation | Front row (4 · 3 · 2) | Back row (5 · 6 · 1) | Server | Setter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OPP · MB1 · OH1 | OH2 · MB2 · S | S | S (zone 1, back row) |
| 2 | OH2 · OPP · MB1 | MB2 · S · OH1 | OH1 | S (zone 6, back row) |
| 3 | MB2 · OH2 · OPP | S · OH1 · MB1 | MB1 | S (zone 5, back row) |
| 4 | S · MB2 · OH2 | OH1 · MB1 · OPP | OPP | S (zone 4, front row) |
| 5 | OH1 · S · MB2 | MB1 · OPP · OH2 | OH2 | S (zone 3, front row) |
| 6 | MB1 · OH1 · S | OPP · OH2 · MB2 | MB2 | S (zone 2, front row) |
How the 5-1 works
In a 5-1 the setter is in the back row for three rotations (zones 1, 6 and 5), so there are three front-row hitters, and in the front row for the other three (zones 4, 3 and 2), when she can attack the second ball but only two hitters are available. The opposite is always across the court from the setter, the two outside hitters are opposite each other, and so are the two middles.
- Pros: one setting style for the whole match, consistent timing with the hitters, and the best player touches the ball every rally.
- Cons: the setter needs to be strong enough to play front row and to block; in three rotations the offense has only two front-row attackers.
Libero and substitutions
Most teams use a libero to replace the middle blockers in the back row. Enter the libero in the tool and the sheet shows her in zones 5 and 6 instead of the middle; the middle stays on to serve when she rotates to zone 1, the common choice in youth and high school play. Check your league for libero serving rules.
Other systems
Compare with the 6-2 rotation and the 4-2 rotation, or build any lineup with the volleyball rotation sheet maker.
FAQ
Who serves first in a 5-1?
Whoever you put in zone 1 at the start of the set. The tool lets you pick the first server; the rest of the serving order follows around the court.
Can I print a blank 5-1 rotation sheet?
Yes. Leave the names empty and print: you get all six rotations with the role in every zone, ready to fill in by hand.