46 volleyball terms explained, from net violation and joust to pancake, six-pack and tool, each with a short definition.
Volleyball terminology is unusually compact, because almost every word names either one of the three contacts or one of the ways a rally ends. Learn the words related to volleyball in that order, pass, set, hit, and the rest follows, including the volleyball slang for the moments nobody plans, from a pancake to a six-pack. The words associated with volleyball positions and faults are collected with everything else in the volleyball glossary below.
Must-Know Volleyball Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Ace
- Block
- Bump
- Dig
- Float serve
- Hit
- Joust
- Kill
- Libero
- Match
- Net violation
- Pancake
- Pass
- Quick set
- Rally
- Serve
- Set
- Spike
- Stuff
- Timeout
- Tip
- Volley
- Approach
- Back row
- Court switch
- Double hit
- Jump serve
- Rotation
- Setter
- Sideout
Volleyball Glossary: Every Term A to Z
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Ace | A serve the receiving team cannot play, scoring the point outright. |
| Antenna | The flexible rod on each side of the net marking the outer edge of the legal crossing space. A ball outside it is out. |
| Approach | The run-up and jump a hitter makes before an attack. Timing it to the set is most of the skill. |
| Attack line | The line three metres from the net. Back-row players must take off behind it to attack. Also called the ten-foot line. |
| Back row | The three players in the rear of the rotation. They defend, receive serve and may only attack from behind the attack line. |
| Block | One or more front-row players jumping at the net to stop an attack from crossing. |
| Bump | The basic forearm pass, used to control a serve or a hard attack. |
| Carry | A fault called when the ball is held or thrown rather than cleanly struck. Also called a lift. |
| Chance ball | An easy ball sent back over the net with no attacking intent, letting the defending team set up a full attack. Also called a free ball. |
| Court switch | In beach volleyball, teams change sides at fixed point totals so wind and sun even out. |
| Deuce | The informal name for a set tied at 24-24, from which play continues until one team leads by two points. |
| Dig | A defensive save of a hard-driven attack, keeping the ball off the floor and playable. |
| Double hit | Contacting the ball twice in a row on one play. It is a fault, except on the first team contact off a hard-driven ball. |
| Float serve | A serve struck without spin so the ball wobbles and moves unpredictably in the air. |
| Foot fault | Stepping on or over the end line while serving. The point goes to the other team. |
| Hit | An attacking contact that sends the ball into the opponent's court. |
| Joust | Two opposing players contacting the ball above the net at the same time, pushing against each other until one side gives. |
| Jump serve | A serve struck out of the air after a toss and a jump, adding speed and angle. |
| Kill | An attack that ends the rally in a point. It is the main attacking statistic in the sport. |
| Libero | The defensive specialist in a different colored jersey. They play back row only, cannot attack above net height and cannot block. |
| Match | The whole contest, played as a best of three or best of five sets. |
| Middle blocker | The player at the centre of the front row, responsible for blocking the opposing middle and hitting quick sets. |
| Net violation | Touching the net during play. It is a fault and gives the point to the opponent, which is the answer to what happens when a player touches the net. |
| Net violation | Touching the net while playing the ball. The rally goes to the other side. Volleyball has no offside rule, only a rotation order. |
| Opposite hitter | The player on the right side of the front row, positioned opposite the setter in the rotation. |
| Outside hitter | The player on the left side of the front row, who takes the largest share of the attacks. |
| Pancake | Sliding a flat hand under the ball so it bounces off the back of the hand instead of hitting the floor. |
| Pass | The first contact after a serve or attack, played to the setter. Everything the team does next depends on it. |
| Quick set | A low, fast set to a hitter already in the air, used to beat the block before it forms. |
| Rally | The play from the serve until the ball lands or a fault is called. Under rally scoring, every rally scores a point. |
| Roof | A block that stops the attack dead and sends it straight down into the attacker's court. |
| Rotation | The clockwise shift of all six players by one position each time the team wins back the serve. |
| Serve | The contact that starts every rally, struck from behind the end line. |
| Serve receive | The formation and the act of passing the opponent's serve to the setter. |
| Set | Both the second contact that places the ball for a hitter, and one segment of a match played to 25 points. |
| Setter | The player who takes the second contact and decides which hitter gets the ball. The closest thing volleyball has to a quarterback. |
| Shank | A pass misplayed so badly the ball flies away from the court and cannot be run down. |
| Sideout | Winning the rally as the receiving team, which takes back the right to serve. |
| Six-pack | Taking a spiked ball to the face or head. It is slang, and it is used with sympathy about half the time. |
| Spike | Jumping and hitting the ball sharply downward into the opponent's court. A spike that scores is a kill. |
| Stuff | A block that returns the ball immediately into the attacker's court. |
| Timeout | A short break called by a coach to rest players, change tactics or interrupt the other team's run. |
| Tip | A soft contact with the fingertips that drops the ball over or beside the block into open court. |
| Tool | Hitting the ball deliberately off the blocker's hands so it deflects out of bounds. |
| Touch | A slight contact by a blocker on a ball heading out. In the indoor game a block touch does not count as one of the team's three contacts. |
| Volley | The general term for the back and forth of a rally within the allowed three contacts per side. |
#1 Ace
An “Ace” in volleyball occurs when a player delivers a serve that is not returnable by the receiving team, resulting in an immediate point. It’s a powerful display of skill and often demoralizing for the opposition.
#2 Block
A “Block” happens when one or more front-row players jump near the net to deflect an attacking ball back into the opponent’s court. It’s a key defensive move that can shut down powerful spikes.
#3 Bump
The “Bump” is the most basic and commonly used method to pass the ball, typically performed using the forearms. It’s used to control the ball after a serve or attack, keeping it in play.
#4 Dig
A “Dig” is a defensive move where a player makes a save from a potent spike, keeping the ball from hitting the court. It often involves a dive or roll and is crucial for turning defense into offense.
#5 Float Serve
A “Float Serve” is a type of serve where the ball is hit in a way that it moves unpredictably, often floating or wobbling, making it difficult to pass. It’s a strategic serve that can catch the receiving team off guard.
#6 Hit
In volleyball, a “Hit” typically refers to an offensive move where a player strikes the ball to send it over the net into the opponent’s court. The intention is to make it difficult for the opposing team to return the ball.
#7 Joust
In volleyball, a joust occurs when two opposing players simultaneously contact the volleyball above the net. This results in a battle of strength and timing, with the aim to push the ball onto the opponent’s side for a point.
#8 Kill
A kill in volleyball is a successful attack that results in an immediate point, typically when the ball hits the opponent’s court without being returned. It showcases offensive prowess and is a key element in scoring strategy.
#9 Libero
In volleyball, a libero is a defensive specialist who wears a different color jersey and cannot attack the ball above the net’s height. They are crucial for making digs and passing but cannot serve, block, or spike from the front row.
#10 Match
A volleyball match is a competition structured in sets, often played best-of-five or best-of-three. It’s a test of endurance, strategy, and skill as teams vie for the majority of sets to claim victory.
#11 Net violation
A net violation is called when a player touches the net during the action of playing the ball. The point goes to the other side. Volleyball has no offside rule, but it does have a rotation order, and serving out of that order is a separate fault.
#12 Pancake
The pancake is a defensive move where a player extends their hand flat on the floor so the ball bounces off the back of their hand. It’s a last-ditch effort to save the ball from hitting the court.
#13 Pass
A pass is a fundamental skill that involves controlling the ball using forearms, usually in response to a serve or attack, setting up for an offensive move. Good passing is crucial for a team’s flow in play.
#14 Quick set
A quick set is a fast, low pass from the setter to a hitter, intending to catch the opposing blockers off guard. It relies on swift execution and good timing between players to be effective.
#15 Rally
A sequence in volleyball where the ball is in play and is being sent back and forth over the net between teams. Rallies continue until a team makes a mistake, earns a point, or fails to return the ball legally.
#16 Serve
The act that initiates each point in volleyball, where a player hits the ball over the net from behind the end line. A successful serve is one that the opposing team cannot return legally.
#17 Set
A technique that positions the ball for an attacker, often the second of the team’s three allowed contacts. A good set can be crucial for setting up a powerful spike or a strategic play.
#18 Spike
A forceful shot where a player jumps and hits the ball down into the opponent’s court. The spike is one of the most dynamic and crowd-pleasing offensive moves in volleyball.
#19 Stuff
Also known as a block, it occurs when a player jumps at the net and stops the opposing team’s attack, forcing the ball back into the attacker’s court. It’s a defensive play that can shift the game’s momentum.
#20 Timeout
A break in play called by a team’s coach to strategize, rest players, or disrupt the momentum of the opposing team. Each team is usually allowed a certain number of timeouts per set or match.
#21 Tip
A soft hit where a player uses their fingers to push the ball over the blocker and into an open area of the opponent’s court. It’s a strategic move that can catch the defense off guard.
#22 Volley
The series of passes and returns that take place between teams over the net within the allowed contact limits. A rally continues until the ball touches the ground or a team.
#23 Approach
The footwork a player uses to position themselves for a jump and hit the ball. It’s a critical skill for timing and power, setting up the perfect spike or hit.
#24 Back row
Refers to the three players positioned at the back of the court during play. These players primarily focus on defense, serve reception, and are restricted from attacking the ball from the front zone.
#25 Court switch
Occurs in beach volleyball, where teams switch sides of the court at certain points in the match to maintain fairness with external conditions like sun and wind. The switch usually happens after every 7 points in a set.
#26 Double hit
A fault that happens when a player contacts the ball twice in succession or the ball contacts various parts of their body successively during a single play. This results in a point for the opposing team.
#27 Jump serve
A serve where the player tosses the ball high and then jumps to hit it, usually adding power and speed to the serve. It’s an aggressive tactic that can catch opponents off guard.
#28 Rotation
The clockwise movement of players around the court and through the serving position following the rules of the game. Proper rotation ensures that all players serve and occupy different positions on the court.
#29 Setter
The player tasked with ‘setting’ the ball for attackers, usually making the second touch. A good setter is crucial for a team’s offense, functioning like a quarterback in football, directing the play.
#30 Sideout
In volleyball, a sideout occurs when the team that is receiving the serve wins the point and gains the right to serve. This term was more central in older scoring systems where points could only be scored by the serving team, but it still denotes a shift in control of the serve under rally scoring systems.
FAQ
In volleyball, what is the term for when a player touches the net during play?
A net violation, also called a net touch or a net foul. It is a fault, and the point goes to the other team. Contact with the net outside the action of playing the ball is generally not called.
What is it called when a player jumps and hits the ball forcefully downward into the opponent’s court?
A spike, also called an attack or a hit. If the spike ends the rally in a point, it is recorded as a kill.
What is it called when two or more players jump at the net to stop a spike?
A block. Two players jumping together form a double block, and a block that sends the ball straight back down into the attacker’s court is called a stuff or a roof.
What is the term for when a team wins the point and gets the serve back?
A sideout. The receiving team wins the rally, takes the point and the right to serve, and rotates one position clockwise before serving.
What is a deuce in volleyball?
Deuce is the informal name for a set tied at 24-24. From that score the set does not end at 25. Play continues until one team is two points clear.
What is a chance ball in volleyball?
A chance ball is an easy ball returned over the net with no attack behind it, usually because the other team was out of system. It gives the receiving team time to run a full pass, set and hit. Many teams call it a free ball.
What are some words associated with volleyball?
The three contacts (pass or bump, set, spike), the ways a rally ends (ace, kill, block, sideout), the positions (setter, libero, outside hitter, middle blocker) and the faults (double hit, carry, net violation, foot fault). The volleyball glossary above lists them all.
What are some Volleyball terms for beginners?
“Ace,” “Bump,” and “Serve” are some Volleyball terms beginners should start with. They represent fundamental skills and actions players encounter in every match.
What are some funny Volleyball terms?
“Pancake,” “Joust,” and “Libero” are some funny Volleyball terms that, while official, can evoke smiles due to their non-sporting connotations. “Pancake” refers to a defensive save, “Joust” to a duel at the net, and “Libero” is a specialized defensive position.
What is a famous Volleyball phrase?
“Bump, Set, Spike,” is a famous Volleyball phrase, outlining the three-step process often used in Volleyball to set up and execute an attack, emphasizing teamwork and coordination.
