Volleyball Height Guide: Are You Tall Enough to Play?

One of the shortest players on our college team got recruited for the National Collegiate Volleyball Championship team.

She was maybe 5’5″ – well below average for college volleyball. When she first tried out, some of our coaches said something like “She’s got heart, but we’re looking for size.”

But here’s what happened: she passed with 85% accuracy. Her vertical jump was explosive. Her court awareness was exceptional. During that tournament, she made defensive plays that absolutely changed match outcomes. – she was one of the shortest on the team, but her hustle was unreal. She outplayed players twice her size, making game-changing plays that got everyone talking. It’s not about being the tallest, it’s about the heart and mind you bring to the game.  

And trust me, I’ve seen it firsthand. 

That said, I’d be lying if I said height doesn’t matter at all. It absolutely does. Middle blockers really do need to be tall. Outside hitters get a significant advantage from height. But if you’re worried about your height right now, this guide will show you exactly where you stand, what positions best match your physical profile, and how to succeed even if you’re shorter than the “ideal.”

By the end of this article, you’ll understand:

• Average heights for each position at different competitive levels
• Why height matters more in some positions than others
• How to maximize your effectiveness regardless of height
• Whether height will hold you back (spoiler: it doesn’t have to)

Let’s dig into the actual numbers.

Height Requirements by Volleyball Position: 2025 Data

Here’s what I’ve observed across high school, college, and international competition. These aren’t strict requirements – they’re averages for competitive volleyball.

MEN’S AVERAGE HEIGHTS BY POSITION

WOMEN’S AVERAGE HEIGHTS BY POSITION

Why Height Matters in Volleyball – The Physics of Position Specific Heights

Sure, height gives you an advantage for blocking and spiking, but there’s so much more to it.  In fact, when it comes to making an impact on the court, your vertical jump for volleyball, agility, and timing often matter a lot.

That said, height does play a role in certain positions.   

Middle blockers

Middle blockers are consistently the tallest position in volleyball. This isn’t an accident – there’s actual physics involved.

During my time competing at the collegiate level, I watched middle blockers with 6’6″+ height absolutely own the net. Here’s why:

The Blocking Advantage: A middle blocker’s job is to prevent the opposing team’s attacks from landing on your side of the court. They do this by rising above the net and extending their hands over it.

If you’re 6’6″ and jump 30 inches, your hand reach is approximately 8’3″ above the ground. An opposing 6’2″ outside hitter jumping 28 inches reaches about 7’9″. That 6-inch difference is enormous in volleyball – it’s the difference between stuffing the attack and the ball hitting their hands and dropping down.

Why recruitment favors taller middle blockers:

• Blocks more effectively without requiring perfect timing
• Can defend the middle more easily
• Creates visual intimidation at the net
• Reaches higher for quick sets

That said, I’ve also watched 6’3″ middle blockers with incredible timing completely shutdown 6’7″ blockers. Timing beats height sometimes, but height definitely helps.

Outside hitters  

Outside hitters are like the all-rounders of volleyball.

They need the ability to attack from 10-15 feet away from the net, often over a block. Height helps because:

• Reach: An extra 2-3 inches in standing height gives you a 2-3 inch advantage over defenders
• Attack angle: Taller hitters can angle attacks downward more sharply
• Block resistance: Harder to block a tall player attacking from distance

During the Great Lakes Regional Championship, our outside hitter (about 6’4″) could hit over opposing middle blockers that our shorter hitters had to hit around. That’s not just a skill difference – it’s physics.

However: A 6’1″ hitter with perfect technique and a strong vertical jump often performs better than a 6’5″ hitter with poor technique.

This being said here is my opinion –
setter height is less important than you’d think.

Setters operate in a smaller space – they’re usually within 6 feet of the net, setting the ball to hitters who are more than 10 feet away. Height gives a minor advantage for:

• Seeing over the net
• Setting from the front row
• Jumping to set at higher points

But a 6’0″ setter with perfect ball control beats a 6’4″ setter with sloppy technique every single time.

The best setters I’ve played with ranged from 5’11” to 6’5″, and the height difference didn’t correlate with performance at all. What mattered was game IQ and technical precision.

One of the best example of an outside hitter is Matt Anderson.  Check him out.

Libero  

Liberos are the only position where being shorter is actually an advantage.

Liberos are all about defense and ball control, and honestly, height doesn’t really matter much for them. What really helps is having a lower center of gravity. It’s like being a shadow- quick footwork, fast reactions, and the ability to cover the whole court in a flash. 

Take Jenia Grebennikov from France, for example. At 5’11” (180 cm), he’s not the tallest guy on the court, but his defense and court vision are absolutely top-notch. 

Let’s look at height range for Liberos:  

• Men: 5’7”–6’0” (170–183 cm)  

• Women: 5’5”–5’10” (165–178 cm)   

Setters  

know this might surprise you, but setter height is less important than you’d think.

Setters are the team’s playmakers. Sure, they need precision and quick decision-making, but they also need to jump a lot to get those perfect sets. Even if they’re not the tallest, jumping drills can help them reach higher and make those key passes at the net. It’s all about reading the game and placing the ball where it counts. 

For instance, during the 2018 FIVB World Championship, Bartosz Kurek completely changed the course of the match with a single, game-changing decision. It’s that kind of skill, timing, and ability to read the game that makes a setter shine. 

Here’s a quick height range:  

• Men: 6’0”–6’5” (183–196 cm)  

• Women: 5’9”–6’1” (175–185 cm)  

How Height Affects Reaching & Attacking Power – Maths for nerds

Let me get specific about the relationship between height and effectiveness in volleyball.

The Reach Equation

Your effective reach = Standing Height + Vertical Jump

This is crucial to understand. A 5’10” player with a 30-inch vertical jump reaches approximately 7’4″ – which is higher than a 6’2″ player with only a 16-inch vertical.

What This Means: Vertical jump development is just as important as height. A shorter player with an excellent training program can absolutely compete against taller players.

Height Progression Across Competitive Levels

High School Level:

• Significant variation in player heights
• Skills matter more than size
• Position flexibility is common
• Average heights: Boys 5’10”-6’2″, Girls 5’6″-5’10”

College/NCAA Level:

• Height expectations increase significantly
• Specialization by position becomes important
• Average heights: Men 6’4″, Women 5’11”
• Scholarship programs favor size + skill

Professional/International Level:

• Height becomes more consistent within positions
• Elite athleticism combined with ideal height
• Average heights continue increasing: Men 6’6″, Women 6’1″
• Less room for “exceptions” (shorter players must be exceptional)

Recent Height Trends in Professional Volleyball

An interesting observation from following professional volleyball over the past decade:

Men’s International:

• 2010-2015 average: 6’4″ (193 cm)
• 2020-2025 average: 6’6″ (198 cm)
• Upward trend: More emphasis on height for recruitment

Women’s International:

• 2010-2015 average: 5’11” (180 cm)
• 2020-2025 average: 6’1″ (185 cm)
• Upward trend: Modern game favors taller athletes

Why the increase? Modern volleyball emphasizes:

• Higher net play
• Power-based attacks
• Blocking as primary defense
• Athletic ability at scale

That said, smart teams still recruit shorter setters and liberos who excel at their specializations.

Men vs. women: how volleyball player height differs  

In volleyball, men and women usually play with different net heights and trust me, it makes a big difference in how the game plays out.

The Net Height Difference

• Men’s net: 7’11 5/8″ (2.43 meters)
• Women’s net: 7’4″ (2.24 meters)
• Difference: 7.625 inches (19.4 cm)

This 7-inch difference significantly affects how height impacts the game.

Impact:

• Men’s blockers need more height to reach over the net
• Women’s attacks must work around smaller defensive walls
• Height becomes slightly less critical in women’s volleyball

But women’s volleyball isn’t just about height.  

Skill, strategy, and court coverage come into play big time to make up for that height gap. It’s like the saying goes, “It’s not the size of the player, it’s the size of the game they play.” 

Recently, the average height for both men’s and women’s pro volleyball has gone up:  

• Men’s international average: from 6’4” (193 cm) to 6’6” (198 cm)  

• Women’s international average: from 5’11” (180 cm) to 6’1” (185 cm)  

How volleyball player heights differ by region

I’ve observed significant differences in player heights across different regions and volleyball cultures. This is fascinating from a coaching perspective.

Europe & North America: The Tall Game

European and North American volleyball emphasizes height and power.

Typical heights:

• Men: 6’4″-6’6″ (193-198 cm)
• Women: 6’0″-6’2″ (183-188 cm)

Why:

• Higher net play valued
• Blocking-focused defense
• Power-based attacks preferred

During the international tournament in Europe during my college days, I noticed opponents were generally taller and more heavily built than Midwest teams. The European style of play emphasized using height at the net.

Asia: The Speed & Skill Game

Asian volleyball (particularly Japan, South Korea, China) has historically emphasized speed, technical precision, and angles over raw height.

Typical heights:

• Men: 6’1″-6’3″ (185-191 cm)
• Women: 5’8″-5’11” (173-180 cm)

Competitive advantage: Asian teams with average height often outperform taller European teams through:

• Superior ball control
• Quick decision-making
• Strategic positioning
• Efficient footwork

Modern shift: Asian volleyball is trending taller as coaching methods globalize, but speed still remains valued.

South America & Other Regions

South American volleyball (Brazil, Argentina) has produced incredible players across a wide height range. Their teams emphasize:

• Coordination and teamwork
• Technical skills over height
• Creative shot placement
• Volleyball IQ

Brazil has developed many excellent players in the 6’1″-6’3″ range (rather than 6’5″+) who dominated through technique.

Though, again I should add, with growing popularity of the game, the difference is closing fast.

Coaching Implication

This matters if you’re training volleyball players: understand that height norms vary by region and style. A player who’s considered “short” for a European power-based program might be perfectly positioned for a speed-based Asian style.

Height trends by level (high school to pro)  

As players progress through competitive levels, height expectations increase. Here’s the progression I’ve observed:

High School Volleyball (Ages 14-18)

Height ranges:

• Boys: 5’10”-6’2″ (178-188 cm)
• Girls: 5’6″-5’10” (168-178 cm)

Key point: Huge variation exists. I’ve seen 5’7″ boys and 6’1″ girls playing successfully. At this level, skill development matters far more than reaching ideal height.

Coaching practice: High school coaches are evaluating POTENTIAL, not just current size. A 6’1″ freshman with poor footwork might be overlooked for a 5’11” freshman with excellent court awareness and demonstrated skill growth.

Competitive Club Level (Ages 14+)

Height ranges increase slightly:

• Boys competitive clubs: 6’0″-6’4″ (183-193 cm)
• Girls competitive clubs: 5’7″-6’0″ (170-183 cm)

What changes: Position specialization begins. Clubs start assigning players to specific positions based on height and skills, rather than rotating everyone.

During my club volleyball days before high school, I noticed our coach was already thinking about position futures based on physical attributes.

NCAA College Volleyball

Height ranges increase significantly:

• Men: Average 6’4″ (193 cm) (Range: 5’11” to 6’8″)
• Women: Average 5’11” (180 cm) (Range: 5’5″ to 6’5″)

The reality: College scholarships lean heavily toward size, but not exclusively. Here’s what college recruitment actually looks like:

• Top 25 programs: Strongly prefer athletes at or above average height for position
• Mid-tier programs: Value skill development potential over current size
• Lower-tier programs: More flexible on height, evaluating overall potential

My experience: During college recruiting, I was approached by schools based on my athleticism and tournament performance, not exclusively on my 6’2″ height. Some schools passed on taller athletes who lacked technical skills.

Professional & International Volleyball

Height standardization increases:

• Men: Consistently 6’4″-6’7″ (193-201 cm)
• Women: Consistently 5’11”-6’2″ (180-188 cm)

At the pro level:

• Less room for exceptions
• Taller shorter players must have elite skills
• Specialization is complete – everyone knows their position

But even here, you find talented shorter setters (like Bartosz Kurek, 6’3″ – actually tall for a setter but shorter than top middle blockers) and athletic short liberos dominating. 

Can you succeed in volleyball if you’re short? A coach’s tips  

This is the question I get asked most often, and I’m glad because the answer is yes – but with caveats.

Position Selection Is Critical

Best positions for shorter players:

Libero (Best option): If you’re 5’6″ or shorter and interested in volleyball, libero is your most realistic pathway to competitive play. The position rewards speed and agility over height. Some of the best defensive players in the world are 5’7″-5’9″.

Setter: If you have exceptional game intelligence and technical skills, setter is viable regardless of height. A 5’10” setter with superior ball control beats a 6’2″ setter with mediocre touch. Height is useful but not essential.

Outside Hitter: Possible but challenging. You’ll need:

• Exceptional vertical jump (30″+ minimum)
• Precise technical attacks
• Superior court awareness
• Willingness to hit angles instead of power

I’ve seen 5’11” outside hitters succeed at NCAA level through sheer technical excellence. It’s possible, but you’re working against biomechanics.

Middle Blocker: Most difficult for shorter players. Height is a primary asset here. Unless you’re willing to develop an elite vertical jump AND have reactive timing skills, other positions might serve you better.

Physical Development Strategies

If you’re shorter than average for your position, here are the areas where you can build competitive advantages:

1. Vertical Jump Training

This is non-negotiable. A shorter player with a strong vertical jump becomes much more competitive.

Training methods:

• Plyometrics (box jumps, depth jumps, jump rope)
• Strength training (squats, deadlifts, calf raises)
• Olympic lifting (clean and jerk, snatch variations)
• Sport-specific jumping drills

Results: Realistic improvement is 4-8 inches over a season with dedicated training.

During my high school days, one of our outside hitters was 6’1″ but didn’t jump well. Our 5’11” opposite hitter out-jumped him consistently through dedicated plyometric training. That 6-inch reach difference became a game-changer.

2. Speed & Agility Development

Work on lateral movement, acceleration, and change-of-direction speed. These skills allow shorter players to cover more court.

Specific training:

• Lateral shuffle drills
• Cone drills for agility
• Reaction time training
• Court positioning practice

3. Technical Skill Excellence

Shorter players must compensate with superior:

• Ball control (passing accuracy)
• Shot placement (angles over power)
• Game awareness
• Decision-making

During the State Championship Tournament, our 5’11” outside hitter beat much taller opponents through superior shot selection, not power. She understood court positioning and hit into gaps instead of trying to power through blocks.

4. Core Strength & Stability

A strong core improves:

• Jumping explosiveness
• Balance
• Attack consistency
• Injury prevention

Shorter players benefit significantly from core work because it maximizes whatever height they do have.

Mental Approach for Shorter Players

The psychological component is just as important as physical training.

What works:

• Focus on controllables (effort, technique, positioning)
• Develop confidence in technical skills
• Play smart, not hard
• Use height difference as motivation
• Specialize in your position’s nuances

What doesn’t work:

• Trying to out-power taller opponents
• Focusing on disadvantages instead of advantages
• Position-jumping (grass-is-greener mentality)
• Comparing yourself to taller players

I’ve coached shorter players who succeeded by embracing their style rather than fighting their limitations. The ones who failed were those trying to beat taller opponents at the taller players’ game.

FAQ   

Is there a minimum volleyball height requirement to play professionally?  

There’s no minimum height to play volleyball. I’ve seen 5’4″ liberos compete successfully at club level. That said, height requirements increase at higher competitive levels.

Professional: Typically 5’7″+ (except rare exceptions at setter)

High school: Any height possible, with position limitations

College: Minimum 5’5″ realistic for any position (though 5’9″+ more typical)

What’s more important in volleyball: height or vertical jump?  

For attacking positions, reach (standing height plus vertical jump) matter more. A 5’10” player with a solid vertical can reach higher than a 6’2” player with a weaker jump. It’s all about getting that extra boost when it counts.

For blocking and defending: Height is more important because you’re directly trying to reach over opponents.

Do college volleyball scholarships only go to tall players?  

No, but height helps. I know 5’9″ setters and 5’8″ liberos with college scholarships. I also know 6’5″ outside hitters who didn’t get recruited because their skills were underdeveloped.

Scholarships require: exceptional skill + athleticism + basketball IQ + right size for position.

The Bottom Line: Height Matters, But Isn’t Everything

After competing at multiple levels and coaching players of all heights, here’s my honest take:

Height matters because:

• Biomechanics favor taller players in certain aspects
• Recruitment at higher levels emphasizes size
• Professional volleyball shows height standards
• Some positions fundamentally benefit from height

Height doesn’t matter because:

• Skill can overcome physical disadvantage
• Technical excellence is rare at any height
• Vertical jump can substitute for standing height
• Lower levels focus on skill development
• Position-specific excellence overrides general size

My Recommendation

If you’re concerned about your height in volleyball:

1. Choose your position wisely – Position selection based on height is smarter than fighting your physical profile
2. Develop your vertical – This is the single most impactful training you can do
3. Master your position – Become exceptional at what you do, rather than average at everything
4. Focus on fundamentals – Ball control, positioning, and decision-making matter more than you think
5. Play smart – Angles and strategy beat power at any level

The shortest players who succeed in volleyball aren’t the ones wishing they were taller. They’re the ones who became so skilled in their specific position that height became irrelevant.