Can a back-row player spike in volleyball?
I · Intermediate · Attacks, blocks and the libero · 5 of 8Yes,
How it works
- An attack hit is any action that sends the ball towards the opponents, except a serve or a block. It is completed when the ball wholly crosses the net or an opponent touches it.
- Front-row players: at any height, as long as the ball is contacted on their own side.
- Back-row players, from behind the front zone: at any height. At take-off the feet must not have touched or crossed the attack line. Landing in the front zone afterwards is allowed.
- Back-row players, in the front zone: allowed only if, at contact, part of the ball is lower than the top of the net.
- The front zone counts as extending beyond the side lines to the edge of the free zone.
- Nobody may complete an attack hit on the opponents' serve while the ball is in the front zone and wholly above the net.
- Faults: hitting the ball in the opponents' space; hitting it out; an illegal back-row attack; attacking the serve as above.
Tricky cases
A back-row player's toe was on the attack line at take-off. Is the attack legal?
No, if the ball was wholly above the net at contact. The foot must neither touch nor cross the line.
A back-row setter standing at the net pushed the ball over. Is that a fault?
It depends on the height of the ball. If the ball was wholly above the top of the net when the setter touched it and it crossed, it is an illegal back-row attack. If part of the ball was below the top of the net, it is legal.
Can a receiver spike the serve straight back?
Not from the front zone when the ball is wholly above the net. From behind the front zone the rules do not forbid it.
Does it matter where a back-row attacker lands?
No. Only the take-off matters.
Why the rule exists
With rotation, three players are front-row attackers at any time. The attack line stops a team using its back-row players as extra hitters at the net while still letting them attack from deep.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIVB rules | As above | V 13 |
| Beach volleyball | No attack line; either player may attack from anywhere | BV 13.1.3 |
From the rule book
FIVB Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028, Rules 1.3.4, 1.4.1 and 13. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIVB Official Volleyball Rules (PDF).