Learn Volley
Learn Volleyball: Rules, Positions & Animated Formations
Learn Volley is a free volleyball guide for everyone from first-time players to coaches. Start with the basics — rules, court zones and positions — then watch animated formations from the beginner 6-6 to the advanced 5-1, and sharpen each skill with technique and training guides.
Start here
New to volleyball? Work through the first three groups in order. Coaches and parents have their own section too.
The Basics
Rules, court zones, positions and the words you will hear at practice.
Formations
Animated rotations, from the beginner 6-6 to the advanced 5-1.
Skills & Training
Technique for every contact, plus a 7-day plan for beginners.
Coaches & Parents
Drills, a parents' guide and playing volleyball at university.
Last updated: October 3, 2026
To master volleyball, learn its stages, formations, rotations, positions and roles by heart, so you can focus on skill and quick decisions during the rally. The diagrams below show the stages of a rally, read clockwise from the top. Serve diagram: when your team serves, you defend first — set up the block and its coverage — and then transition to attack. Receive diagram: when your team receives serve, you set and attack first, then transition to defense. Coverage players move into place as the attack or block happens, which is why coverage is shown just before it.
Tip: On any formation page, click or tap the court to show or hide the zone numbers (4-3-2 along the net, 5-6-1 in the back row) — the zones are the core of what these animations teach. The animations are simplified models, so adjust them to your team's ability.
Video: How to Use Learn Volley (with Coach Christian)
In this video, Coach Christian gives a tour of Learn Volley and explains two beginner systems: the Basic Rotation (6-6) and the 4-2. He shows how to use the animated courts and why good positioning and coverage matter on the court.
Thank you to Coach Christian of Driven Dragons Volleyball Academy for this guide. His feedback also helped us cut back the number of ads on Learn Volley.
We recommend r/volleyball on Reddit for posting, discussing or commenting on anything related to volleyball.