Strategies for a 5-1 serve receive are slightly different.
In a 5-1 volleyball offense, a team has 1 setter and 5 hitters. The setter sets in every rotation. This is different from a 6-2 offense in that not only does the setter set when playing on the back row, but also across the front row.
When the setter is on the front row...
- Have players pass tighter to the net
When the setter is front row, the setter can also be a front row attacker. Passing the ball up closer to the net can give the setter the option to attack the ball. This can make it difficult for the opposing team to defend because a front row setter has the option to attack, tip, dump or set a hitter. - Have your backline players receive the serve
If your attackers are forced to receive the serve, it may be much harder to run an effective offense. Attackers being in a ready position to approach is even more important when the setter is on the front row because when the setter is in the frontline, you only have two frontline attackers.
Here are some examples of volleyball serve receive rotations for teams running a 5-1 offense.
Volleyball Rotations - Setter in Position 5
When the Setter is in Left Back, it is only illegal for them to overlap Left Front or Middle Back players.
When the Setter is in Left Back, it is only illegal for them to overlap Left Front or Middle Back players.
Volleyball Rotations - Setter in Position 4
Setter in Left Front only has to worry about overlapping Left Back or Middle Front.
Setter in Left Front only has to worry about overlapping Left Back or Middle Front.
Volleyball Rotations - Setter in Position 3
Setter in Middle Front only has to worry about overlapping Left Front or Right Front or Middle Back.
Setter in Middle Front only has to worry about overlapping Left Front or Right Front or Middle Back.
Volleyball Rotations - Setter in Position 2
Setter in Right Front only has to worry about overlapping Middle Front or Left Back.
Setter in Right Front only has to worry about overlapping Middle Front or Left Back.
Volleyball Rotations - Setter in Position 1
Setter in Right Back only has to worry about overlapping Right Front or Middle Back.
Setter in Right Back only has to worry about overlapping Right Front or Middle Back.
Volleyball Rotations - Setter in Position 6
Setter in Middle Back only has to worry about overlapping Left Back or Right Back or Middle Front.
Setter in Middle Back only has to worry about overlapping Left Back or Right Back or Middle Front.
The big advantage of this system is that the setter always has 3 hitters to vary sets with. If the setter does this well, the opponent’s middle blocker may not have enough time to block with the outside blocker, increasing the chance for the attacking team to make a point.
There is another advantage, the same as that of a 4-2 formation: when the setter is a front-row player, he or she is allowed to jump and “dump” the ball onto the opponent’s side. This too can confuse the opponent’s blocking players: the setter can jump and dump or can set to one of the hitters. A good setter knows this and thus won’t only jump to dump or to set for a quick hit, but when setting outside as well to confuse the opponent.
The 5-1 offense is actually a mix of 6-2 and 4-2: when the setter is in the front row, the offense looks like a 4-2; when the setter is in the back row, the offense looks like a 6-2.