Opposite
The opposite is a volleyball attacker who plays on the right side of the net, opposite the setter in the rotation, and is often a key scorer.
Overview
The opposite hitter attacks from the right side and lines up opposite the setter in the rotation, so one is always in the front row while the other is in the back. They are usually a powerful, reliable scoring option.
As well as attacking, the opposite blocks against the other team’s outside hitter and may cover setting duties if the setter is unable to reach the ball.
Responsibilities
- Attacks from the right side of the net.
- Provides a strong, dependable scoring option.
- Blocks against the opposing outside hitter.
- Covers setting duties when the setter cannot reach the ball.
- Stays opposite the setter throughout the rotation.
Where it’s used
Sports that use opposite:
Related positions
Setter
The setter is volleyball’s playmaker, taking the team’s second contact and delivering accurate sets for hitters to attack.
Outside hitter
The outside hitter attacks from the left side of the net and is often a volleyball team’s main scoring option.
Middle blocker
The middle blocker plays in the centre of the net, leading the team’s blocking and attacking with fast, quick sets.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Opposite to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Skills
Player roles
- FinisherA finisher is the attacking outlet in a team sport whose main job is converting chances into points — the striker, goal shooter or go-to scorer.
- Target playerA target player is a focal attacker who receives, holds up and links play for others, often physically strong and good in the air or with the hands.
- PlaymakerThe playmaker is a team's creative hub — the player who orchestrates attacks, controls the tempo and distributes the ball so teammates can score.
- Pace-SetterThe player who sets and controls the tempo of play or the rhythm of an endurance effort, dictating how fast the game or race unfolds.
- AnchorThe anchor is a cross-sport holding role: a steadying, defensive-minded player who shields the back line, screens danger and gives teammates a reliable base.
Officiating
- TimekeeperThe timekeeper is the official who runs a contest's clock — starting and stopping time, timing rounds, races and periods, and signalling when time expires.
- ScorekeeperThe official who keeps the authoritative record of a contest — score, fouls, and statistics — usually seated at a scorer's table beside the timekeeper.
- JudgeA judge is an official who scores performance in judged sports, awarding marks for execution and difficulty rather than counting goals or timing a race.
- RefereeThe primary on-field official who enforces the rules, controls play, penalises fouls, awards restarts, and blows the whistle to start and stop a match.
- UmpireA match official who rules on lines, serves and dismissals in racket, bat-and-ball and net sports such as tennis, cricket and baseball — and, in racket sports, also keeps the running score.
Tactics
- Court coverage and rotationVolleyball positioning where players rotate through positions and cover the court as one coordinated unit.
- Serve and volleyAn attacking tennis tactic where the server follows their serve to the net to finish the point with a volley.
- Offside trapA defensive football tactic where the back line steps up together to leave an attacker offside.
- High pressA football tactic where a team hunts the ball high up the pitch to win it back close to the opponent’s goal.
- DraftingRiding, running or swimming close behind another competitor to save energy in their slipstream.
Adaptive sports
- Para sportsThe competitive branch of adaptive sport, where athletes with disabilities train and compete, often within organised classification systems.
- Adaptive sport terminologyA plain-language guide to common, respectful terms used in adaptive and para sport — and why inclusive language matters.
- Seated SportsSports played from a seated position — on the floor, on a bench or in a chair — so that people who benefit from a stable seated base can take part.
- Classification in para sportThe system used in para sport to group athletes so that competition is fair — decided by how much an impairment affects a specific sport.