How To Run A 5-1 Volleyball Rotation (ANIMATED GUIDE)

Learn how to run a 5-1 volleyball rotation (both serve receive and service rotations) and learn what the concept of base positions on defense is.
NOTE: Liberos CAN serve in the US, but in most other countries they can't! I should have clarified that in the video. If you are living outside the US, the libero should not serve but instead the middle blocker should serve!
Watch my other video on how to run a 6-2 rotation here: • How To Run a 6-2 Volle...

[@ConanLiuMD]

Liberos are allowed to serve in the US, but not internationally. Just replace the libero serving instead with the middle serving to make it correct, hope that clears things up!

[@alexdigirolamo5062]

It’s so crazy how this becomes muscle memory after a few games of playing. Super complex but once you do it, it makes sense for some reason. Lol

[@ConanLiuMD]

Agreed!!!

[@raphaelleleblond5413]

you give me hope haha cause for now I'm desperate

[@alecogni2017]

@@raphaelleleblond5413ahaha for real

[@coraz01]

this feels like homework

[@ConanLiuMD]

It'll come naturally once you start to play more and practice it! :)

[@allieemilia8777]

im crying right now trying to learn this hahahhahaha

[@unluckybrov9440]

I'm good at homework

[@gamerkai3327]

Frf

[@lowkienhorng4874]

nobody: coach: now get this in your head or you wont be in the starting lineup me: "sweat intensified"

[@bigtiddiedrias9860]

When you have to learn every positions rotation “👁💧👄💧👁”

[@annalisewilson2000]

Love being a setter

[@thatbabytttv]

Annalise Wilson i wish i was a setter🥺...tbh setters are the most important on the court.

[@jordanteeple3742]

I’m a setter so I have to to... 😓

[@ayseermis4910]

This is gonna sound stupid but why do setters have to learn every position?

[@seyana1424]

@@ayseermis4910 they need to know exactly where their attacking players are going to be so they can setup the ball correctly depending on where the opposing team is blocking

[@karlimarie4946]

not me watching this over and over before my game so i don’t mess this up... as a setter i need to make sure i know this 💀 it’s been too long since my last club game.

[@tessa_lm]

BRO SAME

[@secretly_ur_dad8702]

A setter with Oikawa as their profile picture... a man of culture indeed

[@aryashalton5476]

What a shock, same here 🤣🥲

[@tingal]

Me too! I’ve probably watched this video eight times

[@diowy6781]

I'm gonna watch this soooooooooooooooooooooooo many times even though we only have like 1-2 more games left in the season

[@cyruscweed4309]

It would suck to be a ref in volleyball u have to count every touch and remember everyone’s rotations and that none of them break the rules of rotation

[@kiyokoshimizu8219]

Fr

[@Taba1018_]

And they make it look so easy

[@kiyokoshimizu8219]

@@Taba1018_ exactly like I never thought about how hard it is

[@Taba1018_]

@@kiyokoshimizu8219 Fr

[@matt7448]

That’s why there are 2 refs per game

[@rythbane1976]

I like how accurate the animations are. The setter setted the outside hitter every time 🤣🤣

[@henriquegiacomin5014]

0:28 positions 1:03 players limitations 1:59 base position concept 4:05 rotation 1 service 4:55 rotation 1 serve receive 6:10 rotation 1 base positions 6:55 rotation 2 service 7:30 rotation 2 serve receive 8:26 rotation 2 base positions 8:40 rotation 3 service 9:17 rotation 3 serve receive 9:58 rotation 3 base positions 10:10 rotation 3 serve receive (alternative) 10:22 rotation 4 service 10:46 rotation 4 serve receive 11:27 rotation 4 serve receive (alternative) 12:04 rotation 4 base positions 12:18 rotation 5 service 12:41 rotation 5 serve receive 12:54 rotation 5 serve receive (alternative) 13:20 rotation 5 base positions 13:35 rotation 6 service 14:06 rotation 6 serve receive 14:26 rotation 6 serve receive (alternative) 14:41 rotation 6 base positions hope i helped ;)

[@ThuhSkeeyee]

❤️❤️❤️

[@gamerguyboi8264]

Very

[@ellie-yp2le]

THABK YOU SO MYCB

[@inconsequential9968]

nah

[@serenityplayz1787]

Ty

[@Zismoisgod]

The basic concept of the video is good, but there are a couple things I want to add: The outside hitter in the back court is usually the one hitting the pipe attack and will therefor be in the middle back. Most volleyball leagues have a rule saying the libero can't actually serve the ball, so the middle blocker that has to serve in rotation has to be in for the full duration of the serve streak.

[@cornflowerofsweden1288]

Actually, the FIVB, the international Volleyball federation, has a rule that libero can't serve or attack. So, if you are playing in an international competition, like the Olympics or World Champions, this rule applies. I don't know which countries allow the libero to serve. In Sweden, libero can't serve. I'm pretty sure it's only in NCAA the libero can serve. I think the rest of the world actually follows the international rulebook.

[@locomojoboy2]

It only applies to men’s teams. Women’s teams can have the libero serve.

[@Zismoisgod]

@@locomojoboy2 In Europe and at international events like the vnl and olympics as far as I know the libero cant serve in both the men's and women's games

[@locomojoboy2]

@@Zismoisgod oh that’s good. Makes it the same rules for both leagues.

[@headblank]

@@Zismoisgod is that for OH1 or OH2

[@_grzehotnik]

Just remember one thing: in international volleyball the libero cannot serve, so when having the setter in zone 4, 2 middles would be on the court.

[@averyhope141]

Yeah exactly what my coach said. SHAA doesn’t let liberos serve

[@omnomaurora5310]

I’ve watched your 6-2 video aswell, you’re really good at making something that looks complex seem easy.

[@ConanLiuMD]

Thank you! I really appreciate your kind comment :)

[@priyankashyamalie977]

@@ConanLiuMD it's so true though. Simplified it brilliantly.

[@joshdetexassss2204]

I thought the Libero couldn’t serve

[@elephantmocha4104]

@@joshdetexassss2204 they can

[@Taba1018_]

@@joshdetexassss2204 same I thought that to but I guess not

[@jebslotemaker4421]

Thanks. This explanation is the best I've come across, having it animated really helps. I hope more people get to see this when looking for tutorials

[@ConanLiuMD]

Glad it helped, I really appreciate you for watching and leaving such a nice comment! :)

[@everalves2148]

You've said it all. The best video I have ever seen about this. Thank you for doing that.

[@H-When]

And they say the Offside rule is complicated ...

[@HenrikMyrhaug]

I find that what is most important to remember is where your base position is, and the three (plus a 0th) following rules, then you can figure out where to go no matter what position you play and rotation you are in: Rule 0: Know your own rotational position, and who is on each side of you. When players rotate, they rotate clockwise, counting down from 6 in the center back until they reach position 1 in the right back, where they serve. Make sure to stay on the correct side of the people next to you, and not violate rotational order. Rule 1: Remember who and where the setter (S) is. Everyone needs to know this so they can know who to pass the ball to on reception, or who will be setting the ball to them on an attack. For some rotations, you need to know exactly where the S is to know what to do, so don't lose track of where they are. Rule 2: Being in the back row is really easy. The S or RS will avoid taking part in serve receive in order to get time to set and attack, and the L(or MB) and OH will be in the center and right back positions in whatever order does not violate their rotational order. The only exception is when the setter is in position 1 in their rotation, the L(or MB) and OH in the back will be in the center and left back positions respectively. For the S, you need to stand as close to the net as possible, so go as far forwards as you are allowed without violating rotational order. Rule 3: If you are in front and are not an OH, just check what side of the OH you are on. If you are on their left, move to the left edge of the court, and if you are on their right, go to the right edge of the court. Make sure if S is in back row and directly behind you, that you go as close to the net as possible so they can also be as close to the net as possible. If you are OH, go to the left back to receive then attack on the left side, unless S is in position 1, then you go to the right back to receive and attack on the right side. It is the other players' job to make sure to be on the correct side of you, but you can help them out if they forget. I personally play as my team's only middle blocker, which I find to be by far the hardest position to remember the rotations of when I need to play both MB1 and MB2 (only allowed at practice). OH2 has the easiest rotation to remember, followed by OH1, so these are good for beginners.

[@Evelyn_-lc4ow]

Thanks for this video! I’m starting in volleyball today on a high school team- me having never played before, I needed to find out about the 5-1 rotation because that’s what the team likes to use. Very helpful video and easy to follow!

[@ConanLiuMD]

Glad it could help! Good luck on your team and have fun. I miss HS volleyball - try to make the most of it! :)

[@kaeri4537]

Wtfffff libero cant fucking serve lmfaooooo

[@morganlynn403]

@@kaeri4537 Yes, a libero can! They just can’t serve for both middle hitters so they serve every other time

[@evelishpiggy]

@@morganlynn403 Yes and no. International (FIVB) rules state "The libero can perform only as a backcourt player and may not play an attacking shot (when the ball is hit back across the net), serve or block." In USA however, I guess lower level of play - "allow the libero to serve in one specific rotation position".

[@simeondonov7052]

2

[@averythomas1803]

This is the simplest video that I’ve seen while still explaining everything with detail. Great video and really helped me to understand rotations!

[@ConanLiuMD]

Glad it helped! Thank you so much!!

[@pyronuggets]

This is so helpful. I watched my daughter miss alot of play time in her last tournament despite her being a talented player with a good attitude but she does have confidence issues. I told her this was my fault for not doing my part so I'm trying to learn the more technical parts so I can guide her better between her practices. This video taught me alot thanks again

[@samermohamed7644]

Thank you very much for making a simple breakdown of this. I just started learning about volleyball formations today and it doesn't seem so daunting when you explain it.

[@jae151]

After watching this for multiple times and playing volleyball irl makes me realize that this rotation is so easy. You just need to remember the basic rules and your position so you know where to go after the ball contact. Applying this in person really helps alot!

[@nadiasagastume1193]

Our libero sent this video to the whole team and now it makes so much more sense!

[@gingerkid7453]

As someone who's now playing D3 college Vball as an Oppo after only a senior year of experience as a middle this is immensely helpful.

[@chinoreyes5611]

This video really made me much more motivated to play volleyball. What wonder volleyball is.

[@ConanLiuMD]

Volleyball is the best!!

[@Boxcutter11]

I've been coaching for 30 years and "retired" but I'm back at it again so this was really helpful for me to tune up.

[@yourbannana3725]

Thank you for this, I just started playing and I was still confused on where I needed to be at times

[@SuperGGLOL]

In the future, there will be a VR version of Volleyball that will show it more clearly

[@Andy-pl7qp]

I just returned to Volley after 3 years of pandemic, this is so helpful to remember as I played MB, Thank you so so much!

[@kaichoummanivong]

You explain these rotations and positions clearer and much easier to understand than other videos. Thanks!👍

[@bartekTV100]

i didn't understood this shit until now, you improoved my play in 15 minutes by far

[@afh2874]

my coach could never explain this better than you just did- this video helped me sm

[@lydiamounts4005]

By far the most helpful video on a 5-1 rotation I have ever seen. THANK YOU

[@juliadesmond6473]

Thanks for making this. My volleyball team has been asking for good 5-1 rotation videos and the always look to me

[@headkickko609]

This was so ingrained into your subconscious that you never even thought about it. After not playing regular 5:1 for more than 10 years (we all have a lot going on during the day and getting 12 people on a field at the same time is a gargantuan problem). I wonder if it's still there, or if I would struggle.

[@tda-3399]

This was so easy to understand, I’m impressed

[@alteregocarson]

I play in an intermediate/advanced league every week and am doing terribly with rotations. This really helped me a lot, and I really appreciate your passion and clarity in explaining this! Thanks :)

[@freecreator6426]

Best explanation so far for this complicated system

[@solimarkwok6911]

I don't usually leave comments. this video was just so helpful. recently after playing on a pretty bad school team, I went to a club and i had no clue what a rotation was. I am so thankful for this video, it kinda makes sense now. Thanks.

[@timhu8081]

This is the best volleyball rotation video I’ve ever seen! Excellent animation and narration!

[@ConanLiuMD]

Thank you! Glad you liked it :)

[@Deleteduser12494]

Being an outside makes this so much harder for me :) BUT TYSVM even if this vid was made years ago is very clear and concise and doesn’t miss any info! Ty!

[@AllBodyCareKelowna]

Thank you, very helpful. New parent to VB. It makes so much more sense now.

[@antoniomari2730]

I never understood the movements of volleyball, now a bit more with this video, thank you!

[@silentjunior1351]

I just started playing volleyball as an RS and this helps SO MUCH! I’m really glad I found this video, thank you!

[@tobiax9737]

does right side means opposite hitter?

[@silentjunior1351]

@@tobiax9737 yes oppo is right side in this video.

[@BreeBuckley]

Thank you for this! It’s my daughters first year doing club volleyball and it’s nothing like elementary school 😂 we’re SO lost. This helped A LOT.

[@srod6884]

Thanks for this video. Love the way you explained it and now i finally understand the rotation

[@lillysampson9187]

This video was soooo helpful! thank you!

[@merel397]

you are a hero for doing this! I'm a Outside hitter but recenlty I also got asked to play a second position, settter and my match is tomorrow so this literally saved my life

[@merel397]

Update: We’ve won the match 🥳🥳

[@francisalob6945]

playing for almost a decade now and i always thought that the player should be in their perspective zones when receiving a serve or else you will be out of rotation.

[@nathanford6018]

Ive watch this video so much time because im a outside hitter amd i need to learn this very good.

[@Ca.b_l.e]

We’re practicing rotations currently and this is helping a lot, thanks for making this video

[@plushyrope698]

New to volleyball and am a setter. This video helped a lot and has made me improve a lot thanks a ton, its super easily to follow :)))))

[@casseyanzio2568]

I've been following the Chinese women's volleyball team. I've never played, but I'm interested in defensive and offensive strategy. This is a great explanation. I had no idea it was so involved, and was more than spike, serve, dig and set. Lol

[@loveiizzy]

this is the best explanation

[@elanni13]

i've never played before and i made my schools Junior varsity team as a sophomore this year. Today we had our 4th practice and we just started learning the rotations and i was super confused on where i was supposed to be going... apparently we are learning it for upcoming games and for our scrimmage thats literally tomorrow!! but it makes me kind of nervous to think that everyone else already knows where to go on the court and i dont..BUT. this video makes it so much easier to understand what my coach was talking about. im glad to have found this and i watched it about three times HAHA thanks for the awesome video, super helpful!

[@ikertalks6450]

Wow this make it easier! Thanks very good video!

[@ArjunSingh-fe5sd]

I thought I’ll never understand rotations bless brother 🤛🏼

[@theunspokenflame7972]

You know, I watched another 5-1 rotation explanation, and they didn't have the "in-game experience" kind of thing that you had, which made it a lot harder to understand, because I didn't know if we had the ball if we were defending or going on offense, or why anything was happening. But you actually gave that in-game experience in a sense, making it a lot easier for me to understand the flow of the "game", in a sense, and understand exactly what I am doing and where I am going as Middle Blocker 2. I don't have an official team yet, and the clinic where I am going has just given us temporary teams for the entirety of the clinic, and the "coach" for our team is using the 5-1 rotation for us, himself playing setter. We don't have a defined libero on our team yet, nor are we playing to the fullest with switching out and stuff like that, but this was really educational for me and easy to understand! Tysm for making this vid!

[@Ollowayn]

Thanks for the explanation!

[@marli_d]

Im so glad that one of my team captains were able to recommend this to me! Thank you for explaining and making this video! I know my coach has explained very well to the team, and i’m glad i got more details on it, thanks to you!

[@yes.imedead]

This is an amazing video I was told to watch it by my coach and it is so helpful

[@ConanLiuMD]

Glad it helped, thank you!! :)

[@raegancriss3143]

Thank you so much for this video! This really helped!

[@shadowsison]

Going to share this with my team! Great breakdown

[@pastelpinku2279]

THANK YOU I NEED TO LEARN THIS

[@CatsandGatos]

qwq our coach is making us do it and we're so confused. Thankfully I came upon this video. Thank god qwq

[@ConanLiuMD]

Glad it is able to help! :)

[@finn3883]

werido

[@CatsandGatos]

@@finn3883 :'''0

[@finn3883]

@@CatsandGatos WERIDO

[@Txfruit]

@@finn3883 I dont see what's weird.

[@crossingsguitarluvr3384]

HUGELY helpful video

[@mikay2479]

Aaaahhhh! I really need this for Nov.18 competition against all private schools...I'm new in coaching,wish me luck please!🙏❤️Thank you for sharing your video here.❤️❤️❤️

[@batteryman3393]

God damn this is super helpful. Now I have to spend ages learning it

[@ThebeanIris]

This helped a lot I was really confused 😂

[@woahj991]

This video made me understand the rotations better! Thanks for helping me out I was having a lot of trouble finding a video that is easy for me to understand thank again🏐☆

[@bendelaughter]

I have never really understood rotation until this video and I have watched a lot of videos on it. Thank you so much!

[@bigbuffguy9589]

I might have mentioned the possibility of the rack row attack to the OH1 (e.g. in rotation 4), which is a very common tactic used by teams that have a very good OH1, but very great video overall. Oh, and maybe mention the setter possibly attacking on two as well.

[@tatyanaborovick5989]

Thanks this helped a lot

[@gulsahulutas4549]

I've searched a lot but this is the best video for this topic!

[@chrisparker1502]

You do a great job making this understandable.

[@BenjaminRaymundo18]

Thank you! On my first game I didn't have to deal with this as the B team didn't do positions and just rotated. But I played on the A team and I completely butchered the game. I never played VB before like this and so I didn't know this was a thing. Now, I am ready for next practice and hopefully I can do well.

[@itssara310]

This explanation is very thorough and clear and you're taking everything into account and explaining. Thank you so much for your effort I really appreciate it!

[@ConanLiuMD]

Thank you!

[@fellowhuman9003]

Thanks, I am currently learning volleyball and no matter what I couldn't understand the rule of rotation other than every time we gain a point, we move round. Now I know I am not locked in a certain part of the court

[@danielstephengoggins7937]

This was really helpful!! Thank you!!

[@jbrian53]

Fantastic explanation and illustration. I didn't hear an explanation for why the setter and right hitter's (service) base positions switched in rotation 4-6. For the setter, it was back right in rotation 1-3 and then front right for 4-6.

[@troybloom6110]

I agree. At first I did not understand why the RS and S switched spots in bass positions, however I believe it is due to the rules which restrict back row players. Per the rules it is illegal for a back row player to block at the net and attack a ball in front of the 10 foot line. My guess is these limitations is why the RS and S switch base positions when the RS becomes a back row player. Please correct me if I am wrong

[@dananashawati535]

I’ve Ben watching this for 3 months nearly every day multiple times and finally I can say I’m starting to actually memorize everything uwu

[@lifepac4047]

This is the only clear video I’ve seen. Good job

[@ThunderMotivationn]

Cant explain how much this video helped me,the coach selected me as a setter for tmrr game and i didnt have the slightest idea of the setter roatation but once ive watched this it eased the proccess for me,thank you very much.

[@emilywise5836]

watched this multiple times and it really helped thx

[@ConanLiuMD]

Glad it helped!! Good luck with your setting (I was also a setter) :D

[@emilywise5836]

i worked on this at practice and i got it down!! thank you so much wish me luck, my game is monday!

[@gorannovakovic1230]

Best video i have ever seen for this kind of things !!! Maaaad props bro !!! Greetings from Serbia

[@ConanLiuMD]

Glad you enjoyed it! Hello to Serbia!! :)

[@BorderlezZ]

What an incredibly nice and easy to follow video. Thank you so much.

[@daniellecraaybeek4210]

wow! so hopeful! thank you so so much!!

[@flyinandjammin]

If you're as good at medicine as you are at volleyball I'm sure your patients are happy. :) Thanks for schooling this volleyball dad.

[@tyler__ethan2579]

since I'm team captain I have to memorize all of these instead of just mine, it's so much to remember lol

[@user-ts7yz9wj8i]

Thanks for your video! Super helpful!

[@vladimirchanov3255]

Super useful guide, nice job

[@nafisexazmain6320]

Learning this the day before a game. As a captain I got under pressure gave 7 points on rotation faults. 😭. I wish i saw this video earlier

[@sheru9934]

well im just going to study my rotations the 3 hrs before the game- wish me luck 😢

[@BingBongGaming]

@@sheru9934 me learning 30 mins before 0_o

[@sheru9934]

@@BingBongGaming good luck in ur game then! :)

[@BingBongGaming]

@@sheru9934 Thank you so much! I’m gonna need it 😂😭

[@sheru9934]

@@BingBongGaming of course! let me know how it goes if you would like! :)) id love to know

[@andym.3506]

Wow, this happens so far during my games we hardly noticed how complicated it actually is haha

[@vivekpandey3566]

this video has explained the best i have ever come across thanks for the great concept 🎁🎁

[@alexandrakurz7456]

Hi, love your video, explains everything very well and clear. Very useful

[@jillpongo2959]

Me as a libero: Heh. Imagine moving positions a lot

[@tymot3722]

In case OH is in the back center, he can go to the attack and setter has 4 choices of set. He can set to RS, MB, OH1 and OH2 on pipe☺️

[@RajPatel-xp6jg]

No a back row player cannot attack. If they do the other team will receive the point.

[@tymot3722]

@@RajPatel-xp6jg they can behind third meter line

[@baileyhaag8418]

Exactly hence the 5-1 setup where you have 5 potential attacks. Don’t forsake the back row attack.

[@inb3656]

This video is a life saver thank you so much!! Its so easy to understand and not too long either!

[@HumanOfEarth81]

You are a deity among us simple beings 🙏🙏🙏

[@sem0g640]

Hey, just wanted to say that the libero can't serve, he needs to wait till his team lose the service so the middle blocker stops serving to switch with him (But it's a very very good video nice job ^^ )

[@sarahalzaher7474]

I think only in America the libero is allowed to serve. Not anywhere else though

[@Ally-hl8dq]

I love how you made this look so easy, I was having a lot of trouble understanding this, now I'll be prepared for my first game >: D (This is my first year ever playing, and I know no one asked but I'm a libero >B ) )

[@Inveist]

make sure not to servexD

[@ghemzmhe2374]

A very helpful video. Thanks a lot.

[@antrianagkikopouli5174]

This was very helpful! Thank you very much, i even took notes for my game tomorrow :)