In international elite volleyball (such as the Japanese V.League, Serie A, and the FIVB World Championships), the 5-1 rotation system utilizes one primary Setter (S), two Outside Hitters (OH1 & OH2, like Japan's Rui Takahashi), two Middle Blockers (MB1 & MB2, typically substituted by the Libero in the back row), and one Opposite (OPP).

FIVB Official Rule 7.4 (Positions & Overlaps): At the instant the ball is hit by the server, each team must be positioned within its own court in the rotational order.

• Lateral Order: In the front row, Position 4 must be to the left of Position 3, and Position 3 to the left of Position 2. In the back row, Position 5 must be left of Position 6, and Position 6 left of Position 1.
• Front-to-Back Order: Position 4 must be closer to the center line than Position 5; Position 3 closer than Position 6; and Position 2 closer than Position 1.
• Tactical Stacking: High-level teams "hide" primary attackers like Takahashi or stack passers so the setter can release to the net without violating these strict geometric boundaries. Once contact is made by the server, players can sprint to their natural specialized positions.