The 6 Court Positions (Zones)
Each side of a volleyball court is divided into six numbered zones. The three near the net are the front row (zones 4, 3 and 2, left to right) and the three behind are the back row (zones 5, 6 and 1, left to right). The server stands in zone 1, the back-right corner, and players rotate one position clockwise each time their team wins back the serve.
- Front row (net)
- Zones 4 · 3 · 2
- Back row
- Zones 5 · 6 · 1
- Server starts in
- Zone 1 (back right)
- Rotation
- One position clockwise
The six zones
- Zone 1 — back right: the serving position. A back-row zone.
- Zone 2 — front right: a front-row attacking spot, often the setter or opposite.
- Zone 3 — front centre: the middle of the net, home of the middle blocker and quick attacks.
- Zone 4 — front left: a front-row attacking spot, usually the outside hitter.
- Zone 5 — back left: a back-row defensive zone.
- Zone 6 — back centre: a back-row defensive zone, often the libero.
Front row vs. back row
The three front-row players (zones 4, 3, 2) may attack and block at the net. The three back-row players (zones 5, 6, 1) defend and pass, and may only attack above net height if they jump from behind the attack line (3 m from the net). This front/back split is also what the overlap rule protects at the moment of the serve.
Which way players rotate
When a team wins back the serve from the opponent, every player moves one position clockwise: the player in zone 2 moves to zone 1 to serve, zone 3 moves to 2, zone 4 to 3, zone 5 to 4, zone 6 to 5, and zone 1 to 6. The zones themselves never move — only the players rotate through them.
Deep dive: zones, positions and systems
Zones are places; positions are roles
A zone is a fixed spot on the court, while a position (setter, middle, outside…) is a player's job. As players rotate, each one passes through all six zones, but their role stays the same — a setter is still the setter whether they are standing in zone 1 or zone 4. See volleyball positions explained for the roles.
The attack line (3-metre line)
A line 3 m from the net divides each side into a front zone and a back zone. Back-row players must take off from behind this line to attack a ball that is above the height of the net. It is one of the most important lines on the court for understanding back-row offense and defense.
From zones to systems
Formations describe which role stands in which zone as the team rotates. Once the zones make sense, the Basic Rotation and the 5-1 show how real teams arrange their six players across these six zones.
Frequently asked questions
How are volleyball court zones numbered?
Each side has six zones. Zone 1 is back right (the serving position), zone 2 is front right, zone 3 is front centre, zone 4 is front left, zone 5 is back left and zone 6 is back centre. The front row is zones 4, 3 and 2; the back row is zones 5, 6 and 1.
Which zones are the front row?
The front row is zones 4 (left), 3 (centre) and 2 (right), nearest the net. These players may attack and block at the net.
Where does the server stand?
The server stands in zone 1, the back-right corner, and serves from behind the end line.
Which direction do players rotate?
Players rotate one position clockwise each time their team wins back the serve: zone 2 moves to zone 1 to serve, zone 3 to 2, zone 4 to 3, zone 5 to 4, zone 6 to 5 and zone 1 to 6.
What is the attack line?
The attack line is 3 m from the net and divides the front zone from the back zone. Back-row players must jump from behind this line to attack a ball above the height of the net.