Volleyball positions

All the different positions are filled by players with different skills. Typically the front row hitters and blockers are taller players that can jump high for spikes and blocks. On the other hand, setters and liberos must be quick and have impeccable control over the ball when they pass and set.

Outside Hitter
The outside hitter plays in the front row on the left side of the court and is usually the main hitting position. They must be a well rounded player because not only do they hit, but they will oftentimes need to pass the balls that land short towards the front of the court. Outside tends to get the most sets to hit because it is the easiest to set and it is the “go-to” position when the first pass to the setter isn’t so great. For these reasons, outside hitters need to have good ball control and be solid hitters and blockers. 
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Middle Blocker
The middle blocker plays in the front row on the middle of the court and is the main blocker. Their goal is to stop the opponent's offense by either stopping the ball from coming over or by helping the passers by slowing it down with a block. A skilled middle can read the opponent’s setter well and is quick enough to go from one end of the court to the other in order to block the ball. 

Opposite
The opposite hitter plays in the front row on the right side of the court. Often referred to “oppo” for short, this is the backup hitter since the position is a little more difficult for the setter to set. The opposite must also be a well rounded player because they need to pass as well sometimes, similar to the outside hitter but definitely not as frequently. Opposite is crucial when it comes to blocking because they are responsible for blocking against the opponent’s outside hitter, or main hitter.
Setter
The setter’s job is like the point guard in basketball or the quarterback in football. They are the playmaker; they run the team's offense. They usually take the second ball/touch after the first pass. They will then attempt to place the ball at just the right height for a hitter to spike the ball into the opponent’s court. Setters need to be quick physically since they are always running to the ball and passes are not always perfectly given to the setter. They also need to be quick mentally because as soon as the ball is passed to them, they need to immediately decide which of the three hitters the ball is going to be set to. The setter must also be good at blocking and passing since they play both front and back row. 
Libero
The libero plays in the middle of the backrow and is usually the one on the team with impeccable ball control. They receive most of the serves and dig a majority of the hits and pass them to the setter. There are unique rules for this position as well. They wear a different color jersey from the rest of the team and they can substitute for any player on the court, generally replacing a player in the back row.