The sport with the tallest athletes is probably basketball.
Obviously, it is a tremendous advantage to have a head start (pun unintended, sorry) when reaching for the hoop, so the closer the athlete is to the hoop, presumably, the easier for him to score.
Then again, surely the same thing would apply to volleyball?
How come volleyball isn’t the sport that has the tallest of all world athletes? After all, being able to block at the net is a major advantage that only grows the taller the athlete.
I think the reason is money. There is more money in basketball than volleyball, so the tallest athletes move into the former sport, not the latter.
Average Volleyball Player Height
In the 2012 Olympics, the data suggests that the average height among male volleyball players is 6′ 6″ and 5’9″ for female volleyball players. These figures do differ a little in 2022’s American college Division 1 volleyball stats: 5′ 11″ and 5′ 10″ for both biological sexes respectively.
The Importance of a Player’s Height in Volleyball
It would be an outright lie to suggest that taller players do not have a natural advantage against shorter ones.
However, as with many things in life, that is not the be-all and end-all of the matter.
Shorter players can play positions in volleyball where their height hardly matters, and in fact, being speedy and having excellent hand/eye coordination are far and away the most important skills to bring onto the volleyball court.
The Four Positions in Volleyball
There are four positions in volleyball operating in two zones: the attack zone near the net and the defensive zone at the back of the court.
Considering the height of a volleyball net (which is 7′ 9″ for men and 7′ 3″ for women), a player’s height is of consequence only in the attack zone near the net.
Here are the four positions in volleyball and a brief explanation of the player’s function when playing in that position and any ramifications for the player’s height when occupying that post.
Libero
Height sensitivity: None
The player in the libero position plays a mainly defensive role. The libero tries to ensure that the ball remains in play when his team has possession of the ball.
The Libero player in volleyball is responsible for defense, as well as beginning counterattacks
He is also often responsible for beginning counterattacks. Contrary to other players, the libero doesn’t change his position during rotations.
During the defense, the player in this role has to dig with precision and keep the rally alive.
He has little part to play in executing an attack, which is why height is of little importance to libero.
However, these players should be good at setting up the ball for attackers as a backup to the official setter, who may not always be well placed to perform this function.
Middle Hitter
Height sensitivity: Important
The middle blocker should strive to remain near the net, playing between the two blockers stationed on the outside.
In defense, his job is to assist in blocking opponents’ shots, hopefully, as soon as the ball crosses the net.
When attacking, they need to accurately and swiftly set up the ball for the outside hitters to take their most stinging shots across the net into the opponent’s side of the court.
The middle hitter in a volleyball match needs to be tall because he or she will be responsible for blocking opponents’ shots
In his capacity as a blocker, the taller the player, the better, because he cut a more intimidating and effective figure at the net.
Also, as this person rotates, he can use his height to further advantage in either outer hitter position.
Outside Hitter and Opposite Hitter
Height sensitivity: Important
Outside and opposite hitters are responsible for mounting attacks and scoring.
The hitter on the left wing is properly called the outside hitter, while the hitter on the right wing is called the opposite hitter.
In a volleyball game, the outside hitters are responsible for attacks, while opposite players assist with blocking (oppose) the opponent’s outside hitter.
Outside and opposite hitters also need to be tall as they will help the middle hitter in blocking the opponents’ shots
Opposite players ought to be able to serve as an effective extra setter should the need arise, as it often does.
Tall players have a natural advantage in attack mode in both positions when trying to score points.
The height of the opposite hitter is further employed when he does his job as a blocker against the opponents’ outside hitter.
If there is a significant height difference, the taller player will have a natural advantage that even a good player might have difficulty overcoming.
One of the duties an opposite hitter performs is to receive the ball. In this role, dexterity and good hand/eye coordination are required, rather than height.
However, overall, this position is best filled by a taller player.
Setter
Height Sensitivity: None
It is said that the setting player is among the most effective mental players on the court.
They always look at the position of blockers of opposing teams relative to their team and create high-quality attacks with the help of distributing balls among their hitters.
The setter is responsible for providing the ball to the person with the best scoring chance.
Although setters may not be as glamorous as hitters, they usually have the best ball-handling skills and an understanding of the state of play on the court in real-time.
Height is not a requirement for the setters in volleyball as they need to have the best ball-handing skills
In the end, hitters can’t make winning shots without the setter’s instantaneous decisions on what direction to take the ball.
In short, players in this position need sharp mental acumen, quick decision-making skills, and lightning-fast reaction times rather than height.
However, the setter position rotates, meaning that in four out of five rotations, a gifted setter will begin the point “out” of place.
How the Rule of Rotation Impacts Players’ Height
If it were not for the rotation rule, teams probably would be happy to have two shorter members, the setter and the libero.
However, the rotation rule means that players must begin each point in the next clockwise position save for the libero.
As soon as the ball is served, players can move to any place they desire, and some teams can effectively work this way.
The trouble is that moving around in the middle of a rally is desperately inefficient, introducing new complexities and undeniably taking time to accomplish.
Thus, coaches prefer to find tall players who are excellent as hitters, blockers, and setters, which is why, as I explained earlier, only the libero is let off the hook heightwise.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Average Volleyball Player Height
What is the average height of the top 10 tallest volleyball players?
Among the top ten tallest ever (male) volleyball players, the average height of these players is 7′ 1.2″.
Afterword: Average Volleyball Player Height
Volleyball players’ height advantages are most acute in two of the four positions in each team.
In one of the two positions where height doesn’t matter, unfortunately, the player in that post must rotate after the team wins a point, meaning that sooner or later, he will have to occupy an attacking position where height becomes an advantage.
On average, volleyball players are not as tall as basketball players, and their average height is further lowered by being able to more easily accommodate at least one shorter player.