Rotation or Man-Up System
The rotational defensive formation is probably the most commonly used defensive strategy among young and/or inexperienced volleyball teams. It allows the defense to better cover tips behind the block and dig deep line hits, as well as help the setter transition quickly from defense to offense.
Diggers rotate toward the attack
The rotate backcourt system, a variation of the perimeter, rotates the defenders toward the point of attack. Its final arrangement includes two diggers on the line. One digger is directly behind the block and one digger near the baseline.
The strength of the rotate system is in covering the line and the tip. The weakness is in having one less digger in the backcourt.
The starting positions for the rotate defense are the same as in the perimeter defense.
For the rightside attack:
Diggers rotate toward the attack
The rotate backcourt system, a variation of the perimeter, rotates the defenders toward the point of attack. Its final arrangement includes two diggers on the line. One digger is directly behind the block and one digger near the baseline.
The strength of the rotate system is in covering the line and the tip. The weakness is in having one less digger in the backcourt.
The starting positions for the rotate defense are the same as in the perimeter defense.
For the rightside attack:
1. The rightback rotates from her starting position and takes a position on the attack line behind the double
block. She guards against the tip.
2. The middleback rotates to the right corner, behind the right back. She faces the attack.
3. The leftback rotates to the left corner covering the deep angle.
4. The leftfront blocker moves away from the net and takes a position behind the attack line.
For the leftside attack:
block. She guards against the tip.
2. The middleback rotates to the right corner, behind the right back. She faces the attack.
3. The leftback rotates to the left corner covering the deep angle.
4. The leftfront blocker moves away from the net and takes a position behind the attack line.
For the leftside attack:
1. The leftback rotates from her starting position and takes a position on the attack line behind the double
block. She guards against the tip.
2. The middleback rotates to the left corner, behind the leftback. She faces the attack.
3. The rightback rotates to the right corner covering the deep angle.
4. The rightfront blocker moves away from the net and takes a position behind the attack line.
The Counter Rotate System
Diggers rotate away from the Attacker.
The counter rotate is another version of the perimeter defense system. The backcourt in this design rotates away from the attack.
The final arrangement of the players includes one defender behind the blockers to cover the tips. This defender, usually the off-blocker, positions herself near the center of the attack line. This places two diggers on the angle and one defender on the line.
The strength of the counter rotate system is in covering the tip and for attackers who hit primarily cross court.
The starting positions for the counter rotate are the same as for the perimeter.
For the rightside attack:
block. She guards against the tip.
2. The middleback rotates to the left corner, behind the leftback. She faces the attack.
3. The rightback rotates to the right corner covering the deep angle.
4. The rightfront blocker moves away from the net and takes a position behind the attack line.
The Counter Rotate System
Diggers rotate away from the Attacker.
The counter rotate is another version of the perimeter defense system. The backcourt in this design rotates away from the attack.
The final arrangement of the players includes one defender behind the blockers to cover the tips. This defender, usually the off-blocker, positions herself near the center of the attack line. This places two diggers on the angle and one defender on the line.
The strength of the counter rotate system is in covering the tip and for attackers who hit primarily cross court.
The starting positions for the counter rotate are the same as for the perimeter.
For the rightside attack:
1. The rightback stays on the sideline facing the attacker. She moves backward while facing the attacker
and takes a position six feet from the endline.
2. The middleback moves to the left corner and covers the deep angle.
3. The leftback moves forward near the attack line and digs the sharp angle.
4. The leftfront blocker moves away from the net and takes a position near the center of the attack line.
She covers the tip behind the blockers.
For the leftside attack:
and takes a position six feet from the endline.
2. The middleback moves to the left corner and covers the deep angle.
3. The leftback moves forward near the attack line and digs the sharp angle.
4. The leftfront blocker moves away from the net and takes a position near the center of the attack line.
She covers the tip behind the blockers.
For the leftside attack:
1. The leftback stays on the sideline facing the attacker. She moves backward while facing the attacker
and takes a position six feet from the endline.
2. The middleback moves to the right corner and covers the deep angle.
3. The rightback moves forward near the attack line and digs the sharp angle.
4. The rightfront blocker moves away from the net and takes a position near the center of the attack line.
She covers the tip behind the blockers.
For the middle attack the leftfront blocks with the middle.
and takes a position six feet from the endline.
2. The middleback moves to the right corner and covers the deep angle.
3. The rightback moves forward near the attack line and digs the sharp angle.
4. The rightfront blocker moves away from the net and takes a position near the center of the attack line.
She covers the tip behind the blockers.
For the middle attack the leftfront blocks with the middle.
1. The rightfront blocker moves away from the net and takes a position near the attack line and to the right
of the nearest blocker.
2. The rightback, staying near the sideline, rotates to a position halfway between the attack line and
endline. She lines herself up on the middle blocker's right shoulder and digs all balls outside the block.
3. The middleback lines up on the endline behind the block.
4. The leftback, staying near the sideline, rotates to a position near the attack line. She lines herself up on
the left blocker's left shoulder and digs all balls outside the block near the attack line.
of the nearest blocker.
2. The rightback, staying near the sideline, rotates to a position halfway between the attack line and
endline. She lines herself up on the middle blocker's right shoulder and digs all balls outside the block.
3. The middleback lines up on the endline behind the block.
4. The leftback, staying near the sideline, rotates to a position near the attack line. She lines herself up on
the left blocker's left shoulder and digs all balls outside the block near the attack line.