Using the men’s volleyball recruiting guidelines
“What do college men’s volleyball coaches look for in recruits?” is a common question for us here at NCSA. It’s important to remember that there are currently 220 men’s college volleyball programs in the U.S. The athletic requirements to play on each team vary, sometimes even within the same division level. However, understanding the basic height requirements and skill level that programs are looking for can help athletes target the level of competition that’s best suited for them. In this section, we’ve outlined some guidelines to help men’s college volleyball players get an idea of what recruits look like.
What volleyball stats do college coaches look at?
To get the most accurate answer, athletes should check in with college coaches individually to find out what their standards are for recruits. College coaches reference measurables for volleyball vertical jump, approach jump, block jump, attack jump, height and standing reach (position dependent) to make sure recruits have the baseline requirements for playing at that school. However, standards will change from school to school.
College coaches usually prioritize recruiting hitters and setters over libero/DS players. Coaches look for approach jump and block jump measurables first so they can gauge how a player plays above the net, with physicality (strength, quickness, etc.), and volleyball IQ (understanding the game and strategy) also considered.
What is the average male volleyball player height?
Division 1; top Division 2
- OH: 6’3”–6’6”
- MH: 6’5”–7’0”
- RS: 6’4”–6’8”
- S: 6’1”–6’5”
- L/DS: 5’8”–6’2”
Division 2; top Division 3
- OH: 6’1”–6’5”
- MH: 6’4”–6’8”
- RS: 6’3”–6’6”
- S: 6’0”–6’4”
- L/DS: 5’8”–6’1”
Division 3; top NAIA
- OH: 6’0”–6’4”
- MH: 6’3”–6’6”
- RS: 6’2”–6’5”
- S: 6’0”–6’3”
- L/DS: 5’8”–6’1”
NAIA; junior college (CCCAA)
- OH: 6’0”–6’6”
- MH: 6’3”–6’9”
- RS: 6’2”–6’7”
- S: 6’0”–6’5”
- L/DS: 5’8”–6’3”
What is a good volleyball approach jump?
Division 1; top Division 2
- OH: 11’0”+
- MH: 11’6”+
- RS: 11’2”+
- S: 10’6”+
- L/DS: 24”+ vertical jump
Division 2; top Division 3
- OH: 10’9”+
- MH: 11’2”+
- RS: 11’0”+
- S: 10’6”+
- L/DS: 22”+ vertical jump
Division 3; top NAIA
- OH: 10’6”+
- MH: 11’0”+
- RS: 10’9”+
- S: 10’4”+
- L/DS: 21”+ vertical jump
NAIA; junior college (CCCAA)
- OH: 10’6”+
- MH: 11’0”+
- RS: 10’9”+
- S: 10’4”+
- L/DS: 21”+ vertical jump
Libero volleyball skills and recruiting guidelines
Division 1; top Division 2
- Average height range: 5’8”–6’2”
- Club experience: 3–5 years elite club experience
- High school experience: 2–4 year varsity starter
Division 2; top Division 3
- Average height range: 5’8”–6’1”
- Club experience: 2–5 years national/elite club experience
- High school experience: 2–3 year varsity starter
Division 3; top NAIA
- Average height range: 5’8”–6’1”
- Club experience: 2–3 years national club experience
- High school experience: 1–2 year varsity starter
NAIA; junior college (CCCAA)
- Average height range: 5’8”–6’3”
- Club experience: 2–3 years national club experience
- High school experience: 1–2 year varsity starter
Setter volleyball skills and recruiting guidelines
Division 1; top Division 2
- Average height range: 6’1”–6’5”
- Club experience: 3–5 years elite club experience
- High school experience: 2–4 year varsity starter
Division 2; top Division 3
- Average height range: 6’0”–6’4”
- Club experience: 2–5 years national/elite club experience
- High school experience: 2–3 year varsity starter
Division 3; top NAIA
- Average height range: 6’0”–6’3”
- Club experience: 2–3 years national club experience
- High school experience: 1–2 year varsity starter
NAIA; junior college (CCCAA)
- Average height range: 6’0”–6’5”
- Club experience: 2–3 years national club experience
- High school experience: 1–2 year varsity starter
Outside hitter volleyball skills and recruiting guidelines
Division 1; top Division 2
- Average height range: 6’3”–6’6”
- Club experience: 3–5 years elite club experience
- High school experience: 2–4 year varsity starter
Division 2; top Division 3
- Average height range: 6’1”–6’5”
- Club experience: 2–5 years national/elite club experience
- High school experience: 2–3 year varsity starter
Division 3; top NAIA
- Average height range: 6’0”–6’4”
- Club experience: 2–3 years national club experience
- High school experience: 1–2 year varsity starter
NAIA; junior college (CCCAA)
- Average height range: 6’0”–6’6”
- Club experience: 2–3 years national club experience
- High school experience: 1–2 year varsity starter
Middle blocker volleyball skills and recruiting guidelines
Division 1; top Division 2
- Average height range: 6’5”–7’0”
- Club experience: 3–5 years elite club experience
- High school experience: 2–4 year varsity starter
Division 2; top Division 3
- Average height range: 6’4”–6’8”
- Club experience: 2–5 years national/elite club experience
- High school experience: 2–3 year varsity starter
Division 3; top NAIA
- Average height range: 6’3”–6’6”
- Club experience: 2–3 years national club experience
- High school experience: 1–2 year varsity starter
NAIA; junior college (CCCAA)
- Average height range: 6’3”–6’9”
- Club experience: 2–3 years national club experience
- High school experience: 1–2 year varsity starter
Right side hitter volleyball skills and recruiting guidelines
Division 1; top Division 2
- Average height range: 6’4”–6’8”
- Club experience: 3–5 years elite club experience
- High school experience: 2–4 year varsity starter
Division 2; top Division 3
- Average height range: 6’3”–6’6”
- Club experience: 2–5 years national/elite club experience
- High school experience: 2–3 year varsity starter
Division 3; top NAIA
- Average height range: 6’2”–6’5”
- Club experience: 2–3 years national club experience
- High school experience: 1–2 year varsity starter
NAIA; junior college (CCCAA)
- Average height range: 6’2”–6’7”
- Club experience: 2–3 years national club experience
- High school experience: 1–2 year varsity starter
