Section 4: Players & Officials
4.1 Team Composition
Each team consists of exactly 2 players. There are no substitutions during a match (unlike indoor volleyball's 6 substitutions per set plus libero). If a player is injured and cannot continue, the match is forfeited. At some FIVB events, teams may register an alternate player who can replace an injured partner before a match begins but not during one.
4.2 Player Roles
Both players must perform all skills — serving, passing, setting, attacking, blocking, and digging. There are no specialised positions. However, teams typically develop a preferred tactical arrangement:
- Blocker: The player at the net who attempts to block the opponent's attack. This player's partner signals the blocking assignment from behind their back before each serve.
- Defender: The player who positions themselves in the back court to dig (retrieve) attacks that get past the block.
4.3 Hand Signals
Before each serve, the serving team's non-serving player (positioned at the net) uses hand signals behind their back to communicate the defensive strategy to their partner:
- One finger: Block the line (block the shot down the sideline)
- Two fingers: Block the angle (block the cross-court shot)
- Closed fist: No block (both players defend the back court)
- Open hand / "shaka": Fake block (start at the net but pull back to defend)
Signals are given for both the left-side and right-side opponent, using the left hand for the left attacker and right hand for the right attacker.
4.4 Coaching
Coaching is permitted only during timeouts and between sets. No coaching is allowed during active play (unlike indoor volleyball where coaches may communicate throughout). Coaches may not stand, walk, or sit within the free zone during play.
4.5 Officials
- First referee: Positioned on an elevated stand at one end of the net. Has overall authority and makes final decisions on all plays.
- Second referee: Positioned at ground level on the opposite side of the net from the first referee. Assists with net violations, centre-line penetration, and timeout management.
- Scorer: Operates the scoring system, tracks service order, and records sanctions.
- Line judges: Typically 2 or 4 line judges positioned at diagonal corners of the court. Signal ball in/out, foot faults on serve, and antenna violations.