Volleyball Basics - Zones of the Court

Volleyball courts are divided into zones based on service order. The back right area is zone 1. It is roughly the area where the first server will start the match, assuming no change takes place after the serve. Front right is zone 2 and the second server, middle front is zone 3 and the third server, front left is zone 4 and the fourth server, back left is zone 5 and the fifth server, and middle back is zone 6 and the last server in the lineup.

Coaches will frequently signal which zone should be served with one to five fingers for zones 1-5 and a fist for zone 6. Where exactly a team places the boundary between front and back zones varies. Some will place it at the attack line, others halfway between center and end lines. There is no right or wrong place for the boundary. The important thing is to know where the team you play on or coach places that boundary. It is entirely possible to have the front/back boundary be the attack line, and the back zones are divided into short and deep halves.

Some places I have seen use the zones where the players typically hit as position names instead of the position names most in the United States at least are used to. Outside hitters are 4's, middle blockers are 3's, and opposites/right sides are 2's.


Volleyball Basics are intended to present some of the fundamental volleyball knowledge that everyone serious about the sport should know.