Only 1 Camera
Set up your camera high up in the stands in line with the net on the opposite side from the scorer’s table and team benches.
When using only once camera, the operator needs to be aware that every movement they make will be seen by the audience. The goal is to include as many players of both teams as possible between game play. When a play is about to start, focus on the player serving and their team players. When the ball is served, zoom out as wide as possible as you pan in the direction of the ball movement. Your goal is to keep the ball in view at all times. Since volleyball can have very fast change in the ball movement, you do not want to zoom in too closely.
When a point is made you may briefly zoom into the players who made the point. Be sure to quickly, yet smoothly, zoom back out to your widest shot before you pan and zoom in toward the player getting ready to make the next serve.
2 Cameras
The Camera 1 should be set up in line with the net. Camera 2 should be close to either side of it.
Camera 1 is for the wide shots. The goal is to include as many players of both teams as possible between game play while always keeping the ball in the shot. If you are unable to see all players, make sure you include the ball.
Camera 2 is for close-ups. Start with a medium shot of the player serving, then zoom out to include no more than half of what your widest shot could be. Follow the ball as best as you can. If you zoom in too close, you may lose the ball before the director has a chance to use your shot. After a point is made, zoom into the players who made the point. If you are using a communication system, the director may also ask you to get a quick shot of the scoreboard.
When there is a time out, Camera 1 should stay as wide as possible on the court. Camera 2 should get shots of each team, or the scoreboard, depending upon the director’s needs.
3 Cameras
If you wish to always have the score available, use Camera 3 on a locked-down shot of the scoreboard, and have Cameras 1 and 2 work as they did using the Two-Camera Coverage above. The main exception is Camera 2 will have no need to get shots of the scoreboard.
If there are three camera operators, the cameras may be set-up and assigned differently:
Camera 2 should be set up in line with the net and get the wide shots. The goal is to include as many players of both teams as possible between game play while always keeping the ball in the shot. If you are unable to see all players, make sure you include the ball.
Camera 1 should be in the stands half-way between the net and the team on the left’s serving line. Camera 3 should be in the stands half-way between the net and the team on the right’s serving line. Camera 1 should focus on the team on the left; Camera 3 should focus on the team on the right. When the team on your side is serving, start with a close-up of the server, then zoom out to include your team’s players as they defend against returning balls. When the team on your side is waiting to receive a serve, start with a shot of your whole team, then zoom in slightly as they receive the serve. Stay with your team as they defend against returning serves. When a point is made zoom into players on your team who have either made the point or lost it. After a point is made, Camera 1 or 3 may need to get the scoreboard if the team on their side is not serving.
4 or More Cameras
Camera 4 may be set-up near the floor to get shots of the fans, shots of the referee, or coaches. If it is wireless, the camera operator should try to feed the director a variety of interesting shots from various locations. Just be sure to stay on the same side of the court as the rest of the cameras.
Other cameras may be used for close-up shots of game play, or other interesting shots.