How to play opposite — complete training guide

The opposite hitter attacks from the right and blocks the opposing outside. This guide covers role, skills, mistakes, age-by-age progression, and drill recommendations.

Role overview

The opposite hitter lines up opposite the setter in the rotation, attacks from the right side of the court, and blocks the opposing outside hitter on defense. In modern volleyball, the opposite is usually the team’s most-set attacker — they are released from serve-receive responsibility in most schemes, get heavy back-row sets, and face the most one-on-one blocking matchups because they hit against the opposing outside’s block, which is often the smaller of the two pin blockers.

What changed at the position is the volume of back-row attacks. The opposite is in the back row in three rotations, and modern offenses run pipes (back-row attacks from zone six) and bics (back-row attacks from zone one) heavily out of those rotations. An opposite who cannot attack from the back row is an opposite whose offense compresses every other rotation; an opposite who can attack effectively from the back row keeps the defense honest in every alignment.

On defense, the opposite is the right-side blocker against the opposing outside. The matchup is the team’s most important blocking assignment because the opposing outside gets the most sets. Opposite-block training is therefore as central to the role as attacking; opposites who only train offense leave the team’s best blocking matchup undertrained.

Key skills

Attacking from the front row. Approach, jump, and arm swing against single or double blocks from the right side. Opposites face one-on-one matchups more often than outsides because the opposing block is usually shifted toward the team’s outside hitter. The single-block matchup is the highest-leverage scoring scenario in volleyball, and opposites have to capitalize.

Back-row attacking (pipe and bic). Approaching from behind the 10-foot line and attacking back-row sets. Back-row attacks are first-tempo or fast-tempo sets that force the defense to honor the opposite in every rotation. Back-row attacking is technique-heavy — the takeoff has to be behind the line, which most youth opposites do not yet feel.

Right-side blocking. Closing on the opposing outside, sealing the seam, and getting hands over the ball. Right-side blocking against the opposing outside is the team’s most important blocking matchup because outsides get the most sets. Opposites who block-touch the opposing outside change the math of every rally.

Shot menu. Power down the line, cross-court angle, high-hands tool of the block, tip, roll shot. Opposites who only hit power get scouted at varsity. The shot menu is the difference between a 30% kill percentage and a 40% one.

Hitting against the block. Reading the block — single, two-blocker, or full double — and choosing the right shot. Opposites face a mix of block looks because the opposing defense is also worried about the opposite as a back-row threat. Reading the block and choosing the shot is the difference between scoring and getting blocked.

Serving. Float, jump-float, and jump-spin serves. Opposites are usually expected to serve aggressively at varsity. The opposite who serves an ace per set creates points without rallying.

Common mistakes

  • Skipping right-side blocking work. Opposites who train only their attack become liabilities at the block. The team’s most important blocking matchup goes undertrained, and the opposing outside gets free swings.
  • Predictable shot selection. Opposites who hit only line or only angle get scouted fast. Mix line, angle, tool, and tip — predictability gets blocked at every level.
  • Approach footwork that crosses the 10-foot line on back-row attacks. Stepping over the line is a violation that gives back the point. Back-row approach mechanics have to be drilled with a real line.
  • Hitting into a closed double. Opposites face singles more often than outsides but still see doubles in some rotations. Reading the block and using it (tools, high hands) is what separates rotation opposites from full-time starters.
  • Not running the back-row attack. Opposites who refuse the back-row set let the defense stack the front. Back-row attacking is part of the modern role.
  • Cold-arm starts. Opposites usually do not pass and therefore do not warm into a rally. The first attack of a long defensive sequence is often a cold-arm swing; mental and physical preparation between attacks is part of the position.

Age-by-age progression

8U–10U. Multi-sport athletic development. Avoid early specialization. Approach footwork taught from the first practice. Both-hand passing alongside hitting because the player may end up at any position.

12U. Approach and jump mechanics drilled with a real set. Hitting from the right side introduced. The position label is loose at this age — let athletes try every spot.

Middle school. Full attacking menu taught from the right side. Right-side blocking footwork introduced. Shot variety drilled. Float serve introduced. Bodyweight strength and jump training begin.

High school. Back-row attacking introduced and drilled formally. Right-side blocking drilled live against an opposing outside. Strength program adds compound lifts and rotational power. Jump-float and jump-spin serves introduced. Specialization into opposite begins for some athletes.

Varsity. Full role responsibility on the court — attack, block, serve, back-row attack. Statistical targets — kill percentage, block-touch rate, ace rate — are tracked and trained against. Film study of opposing outsides and defenders becomes weekly.

Drill recommendations

The drill cluster under this pillar covers right-side approach drills, back-row attack drills, right-side blocking drills, shot-menu drills, and serving drills, organized by age group. Approach mechanics first at every level. Right-side blocking second — equal priority with attack. Back-row attacking layered on at middle school and above.

The film-study cluster covers your own attacking and blocking (approach, contact, block close timing) and opposing-team film at high school and above (outside-hitter shot tendencies, opposing block reads). Self-film before opponent film.

The technique cluster covers fundamentals: right-side approach footwork, back-row approach footwork, arm-swing mechanics, blocking hand position, and serve technique. Technique work compounds with reps but rewards precision over volume.

Skill areas

Drills

Right-side approach, back-row attack, right-side blocking, shot-menu, and serving drills for opposite hitters from 12U through varsity.

Film Study

Self-film and opponent-film guides for opposite hitters covering attack mechanics, right-side blocking, and opposing outside-hitter tendencies.

Technique

Technique guides for opposite hitters covering right-side approach footwork, back-row approach, arm-swing mechanics, blocking hand position, and serve technique.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between opposite and right-side hitter?

They are usually the same position — the player who lines up opposite the setter in the rotation. Some programs use the term "right side" to describe a less specialized version of the role; in modern volleyball, opposite is the standard term and the specialized version. The opposite blocks the opposing outside hitter and attacks from the right side of the court, often from both front and back row.

How important is back-row attacking for an opposite?

Critical at high school and above. The opposite is usually the team's best attacker and is set heavily from the back row in three rotations. Back-row attacking — the bic or pipe set — is what keeps the offense three-dimensional in rotations where the opposite is in the back. Opposites who can only attack from the front row let the defense stack the front and crowd the outside.

Does the opposite pass in serve receive?

Usually no. Most teams remove the opposite from the serve-receive pattern and free them up to focus on attacking. This is a tradeoff — the team carries a non-passing player on the front row in three rotations. Some lower-level teams that lack a dedicated opposite let the player pass; if you are training to play at high school and above, expect to be released from passing.

How tall does an opposite need to be?

Generally tall, because the opposite blocks the opposing outside — usually the team's best attacker — and is the team's primary attacking weapon. A tall opposite with a high block reach takes balls out of the rally that a shorter blocker leaves in. That said, height alone is not the position; jump, arm swing, and shot selection matter more than absolute height.

What is the most overlooked opposite skill?

Right-side blocking against the opposing outside. Opposites are often trained as attackers first and blockers second, which is backwards. The opposite who block-touches the opposing outside even once a set changes the math of every rally; the opposite who never gets a block touch is the opposite the defense schemes around.

Other positions in Volleyball

Defensive Specialist

The defensive specialist is a back-row player who serves and digs. This guide covers role, skills, mistakes, age-by-age progression, and drill recommendations.

Libero

The libero is the back-row defensive specialist who anchors serve receive and digs the hardest swings. This guide covers role, skills, mistakes, age progression, and drills.

Middle Blocker

The middle blocker anchors the front-row defense and runs the quick-attack offense. This guide covers role, skills, mistakes, age-by-age progression, and drills.

Outside Hitter

The outside hitter is the primary attacker who has to do everything — pass, attack, defend, serve. This guide covers role, skills, mistakes, age progression, and drills.

Setter

Setter is the quarterback of volleyball. This guide covers role, skills, mistakes, age-by-age progression, and drill recommendations from youth club through varsity.