Playtime, Positions, and Perspective: A Parent’s Reality Check
- susiemae3330
- Sep 29
- 5 min read
By Susie Packard, Coach and Director/Owner of LIV Volleyball Club
Introduction
Club volleyball is exciting, fast-paced, and highly competitive—but it also comes with a lot of rules, structure, and strategy that can be confusing for both players and parents. This blog is meant to educate families about the reality of club volleyball, from rotations and substitutions to playing time and parent-coach etiquette.
Rules & Rotations
Understanding the basic rules helps set realistic expectations and prevents confusion during matches.
Teams are allowed 15 substitutions per set.
Once those are used, only the Libero can rotate in and out.
Liberos can only serve for one position—typically a middle blocker. Even if there are multiple Liberos, they cannot alternate which middle they serve for.
Teams are allowed only 2 timeouts per set.
Once a player subs in for another, they are "tied" to that player for the remainder of the set—except for the Libero, who operates under different rules.
Players in standard jerseys must always sub back in for the same player they replaced, unless they haven’t yet entered the match.
Rotations and playing time
The rotation system can make playtime appear inconsistent—especially in fast-paced games.
Most team run a 6-2 system: six hitters and two setters. The setters play from the back row, meaning they must also serve.
This setup is why your daughter may not be serving, especially if she’s not playing in the setter role.
Volleyball has six rotations—three in the front row and three in the back. Players must rotate through all of them unless subbed out.
Some players are what we call “3-rotation players,” meaning they only play when they are in the front or back row, not both.
Because of how fast side-outs can happen, it might feel like your child is hardly playing, but the rotations could simply be moving quickly.
Most players average 3 rotations per set.
Teams are allowed only 2 Liberos. Additional defensive players are called Defensive Specialists (DS).
Unlike Liberos, DSs use substitutions and can only sub in and out for the same player.
Rotations example:
Rotation 1: Setter
Rotation 2: Outside (serving)
Rotation 3: Middle blocker
Key takeaway: Try not to count playtime in minutes. Playing time is often dictated by how fast the match is moving, not by a coach’s judgment call.
Watch this video to learn more about rotations in volleyball
from coach Susie: a reality check
Let’s address some common concerns with honesty and care.
"Why isn't my child playing more?"
No coach wants to lose. If your child is not on the court, there is a reason. If they’re truly the best option, they will be playing.
Unless a coach is biased (and most aren’t), they’re going to put the best players on the court—especially in tight, must-win situations.
Check the stats if you’re comparing your player to others. Skill is more than just hustle.
What Parents Often Overlook: The Skill of Passing
Just because your player gets the ball up doesn’t mean it was a "good pass."
Coaches evaluate passes by option levels:
3-option = excellent
2-option = playable
1-option or 0-option = difficult to impossible to run offense
Players who consistently make 1- or 0-option passes are not skillfully playing regardless of effort.
Growth Mindset Matters
Improvement is possible for any athlete willing to get uncomfortable and try new things in training.
A strong volleyball player is also a good teammate. One star player cannot win matches alone.
Parent-Coach Etiquette
Please respect the professional boundaries coaches maintain during competition.
Do not approach coaches during tournaments or send texts/calls while they are coaching.
The club adheres to a 24-hour rule before discussing concerns:
This allows time to reflect before emotional conversations.
It ensures that coaches can focus on the game and team performance during tournaments.
Coaches are not ignoring you—they are prioritizing the team’s focus.
My child is the best
When parents tell us their child is working hard, we believe you—and we know many athletes do. We love that you want your child to be the best and have the best! It's both a compliment and a privilege that you chose our club for your child to play, train, and develop.
Hard work doesn’t automatically equal more playtime. Coaches evaluate improvement and skill execution.
Bad form with a lucky result (i.e., the ball gets to the target) shows inconsistency—not skill.
Keep encouraging your player to focus on growth and fundamentals, not just court time.
Parental Pressure = Performance Killer
Players sometimes start strong and decline due to negative home influence—comments about coaches, teammates, or clubs affect mindset.
Let your player grow at their own pace.
If they’re not playing at their potential yet, that’s okay. There’s another level to reach.
about "playing up"
We do not recommend players consistently “playing up” on higher-level teams unless they are consistently performing at that level.
Practice reps are important, but actual match experience develops players more effectively.
Don’t put your child in a level that is too high—it will hurt their confidence and limit development.
it should never be about status
Every team starts somewhere. Coach Susie once coached a team that couldn’t even rally 6-on-6 at the beginning—but by the end of the season, their practices were competitive and high-energy.
Give teams a chance to grow. Development takes time, and what you see at season start is not what you’ll see in May.
changing clubs
We never recruit players from other clubs via DM or back-channel communication—we let our culture and coaching speak for itself.
Before switching clubs, ask yourself:
What’s the real motive for the new club’s offer?
What level will your child be playing at—and how will that affect their playtime?
Is your player actually progressing in their current program?
Do you trust your current club’s leadership and coaching?
If so, have an honest conversation with the coach or director before making any decisions.
college volleyball
At the end of the day, club volleyball is a competitive journey—one that’s meant to build skills, confidence, and character in young athletes. Let’s all work together to support their growth with patience, understanding, and a long-term mindset.
We’re here to develop athletes and good teammates—not just starters.
If you have questions about rules, playing time, college recruitment and play, or anything else, we encourage you to schedule a conversation—after 24 hours, of course.
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