Terminology

Basic Volleyball Rules, Regulations and Terminology

Overview

We know we all LOVE volleyball, but how well do we know the nitty-gritty logistics? Let's brush up on this information and keep it as the backbone for the rest of the semester.

Objectives

Define volleyball terminology,
Analyze the rules and regulations for the colligate game;
Demonstrate comprehension through articulation and application.

Terminology

Before we even get started, let's go over some basic terminology that is thrown around in the gym.

Pass: The first contact after a serve is considered a “pass”. The player who passes the ball is called the “passer”. Usually a pass is made with a player’s forearms but can also be made overhead with two open hands.
Set: The second contact (after a pass or dig) is considered a “set”. The player who sets is called the “setter”. Usually a set is made with two hands overhead. A bump set is made with a player’s forearms. A player can also set the ball over the net on the first, second or third contact with the same motion.
Hit/Attack/Spike: Typically the third contact when a player uses one open hand and swings at the ball to send it over the net is called a “hit/attack/spike”. The player who hits the ball is called the “hitter/attacker/spiker”. These three terms are used interchangeable. The whole hand is loosely cupped in the shape of the ball and the entire hand (palm and fingers) should contact the ball. In some situations a player may choose to attack on the second contact instead of the third.
Serve: The first contact that starts every rally is called a “serve”. The player who serves is called the “server”. Usually a server uses one, open hand to swing overhead and send the ball over the net from behind the end line. Less experienced players may serve underhand with one closed fist. Sometimes younger age groups are allowed to serve from within the court so be sure to check local league rules. There are 3 main types of serves that are defined below.
Dig: The first contact made after an attacker from the other team sends the ball over to the defensive team is said to be a “dig”. Digs can be made with the forearms, open or closed hands or any other part of the body.
Block: This move/contact is made by a player at the net to prevent the ball from coming over when an opposing player is sending the ball over the net. This move is made with two extended arms with open hands above their head. This contact does not count as one of the three contacts a team is allowed to make. The same player that blocks the ball may contact the ball again as the first of their team’s three contacts. When two players block at the same time it is called a “double block”. When three players block at the same time it is called a “triple block”.
Stuff Block: When a defensive team stops the ball from crossing the net as an opposing player tries to send it over. The ball then falls back to the floor in side the court on the side of the team that was attempting to hit it over.
Tool: The ball is deflected by a blocker but falls to the floor either outside the court on either side or onto the court on the same side as the blocker. This earns a point for the attacker’s team.
Joust: When players from opposing teams play the ball simultaneously, it is called a “joust”.
Cover: The attack is blocked back onto the attacker’s side but a member of the same team digs the ball and the rally continues. A textbook rally would follow this pattern of contacts: Serve, pass, set, hit, dig, set, hit, dig, etc. with the possibility of having a stuff block, covered block or deflection as well.
Platform: Refers to the forearms when they are put together by holding both hands together to create one larger surface for the ball to bounce off of.
Sprawl/Dive: When a player lands on the floor with their body in an attempt to save the ball with their arm or arms before it hits the floor it is called a “sprawl” or “dive”. This is considered an emergency move.
Pancake: When a player lands on the floor with their body in an attempt to save the ball with one open hand on the floor to allow the ball to bounce off of it is called a “pancake”. This is considered an emergency move.
Free Ball: When a team sends the ball over the net to their opponents with their forearms they are said to be giving a “free ball”. Considered an easier play for the defensive team.
Down Ball: When a player who is standing on the floor and swinging with an open hand to hit the ball over the net, it is usually called a “down ball”. Traditionally a “down ball” means the blockers at the net should not jump and instead stay down on the floor when an opposing player is sending the ball over the net.
Roll Shot: When a player slows down the speed of their arm swing while attacking to send the ball shorter in the court and in front of the defenders, it is called a “roll shot”. The arm still makes the same motion as a full speed attack and the whole hand makes contact with the ball.
Dump: When a setter sends the ball over the net on their team’s second contact instead of setting a player on their own team to hit it over the net it is called a “dump” or “setter attack”. A setter can do so tipping or hitting the ball over with one open hand or setting it over with two open hands. They may do so while standing on the floor or jumping in the air.
Tip: When a player uses one open hand to send the ball over the net it is called a “tip”. The player uses the pads of their fingers to contact the ball and control the direction it is sent. Tips are usually sent short in the court but can also be sent deep. A tip is in contrast to swinging the arm to hit the ball over the net.
Float Serve: A serve in which the ball does not spin is considered a “float serve”. This serve often changes direction and floats in unexpected trajectories.
Jump Serve: A serve in which the server approaches and jumps to hit the ball while in the air to send the ball over the net with spin with the top of the ball rotating down towards the floor from the passers perspective. This serve is also referred to as a “Spike serve”.
Jump Float Serve: A serve in which the server approaches and jumps to hit the ball while in the air to send the ball over the net with no spin is called a “jump float serve”.
Ace: A serve that is un-returnable in which it either hits the floor or a controlled second contact cannot be made off of the pass. This type of pass is often called a “shank”. An ace results in a point for the serving team.
Over Pass: The pass by the team receiving the serve that is sent immediately back over the net to the serving team on accident is called an “overpass”.
Rally: While the ball is in play it is said to be a “rally”.
Side-out: When a team is on serve receive and wins the rally, it is called a “side-out”.
Approach: The footwork an attacker uses to time the set, gain momentum and jump before contacting the ball to hit it over the net is called an “approach”.
Arm Swing: The movement a hitter or server’s arm makes to generate force before contacting the ball.
Hitting Error: When a player hits the ball either into the net or the antenna, or outside of the court or antenna it is called an “attack/hitting error”.
Kill: An attack that is un-returnable in which it either hits the floor or a controlled second contact cannot be made off of the dig. This type of dig is often called a “shank”. A kill results in a point for the attacking team.
Tight: When the ball is sent close to the net (approximately 0-2 feet) it is said to be “tight”.
Off: When the ball is sent away from the net (more than 5 feet or so), it is said to be “off”.
Inside: When the ball is sent more than 5 feet inside of the sidelines, it is said to be “inside”.
Outside: When the ball is sent outside of the sidelines, it is said to be “outside”.
Short: When the ball is sent over the net in front of a player, it is said to be “short”.
Deep: When the ball is sent over the net behind a player, it is said to be “deep”.
Line: When the ball travels down the same sideline from one team to the other it is said to be hit down the “line”. This term can also be used to designate the defender that is near the same line the attacker is closest to. They are said to be the “line defender”.
Crosscourt/Angle: When the ball travels from one sideline to the other from one team to the opposing team it is said to be hit “crosscourt/angle”. This term can also be used to designate the defender that is near the opposite line the attacker is closest to. They are said to be the “crosscourt/angle defender”.
Let Serve: When the serve hits the net and continues over to the receiving team, it is a live ball and called a “let serve”.
Press/Penetrate: The movement a blocker should make with their hands so that they are over on the opponents side of the net. This creates an angle that the attack will reflect off of and land back on the attacker’s side of the court.
Call the Ball: Communication is key in this team sport. Players should make an early call to indicate they will play it. Common phrases used are “I go” or “mine”. Players should also call names of players and sets during play as well as other useful information like “short”, “deep”, “inside”, etc.
4-2: Offensive system with 4 attackers and two setters.
5-1: Offensive system with 5 attackers and one setter.
6-2: Offensive system with 6 attackers and two setters, requiring 4 substitutions per full rotation, making the setter(s) set from the back row the entire time.

Now for fun, check out this ridiculous video that show the "Volleyball Alphabet". It's sure to make you laugh!