Let’s take a look at some popular terms in volleyball with definitions. Just like other games, volleyball is a game in which two teams hit a large ball with their hands backwards and forwards over a high net.
It is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Volleyball was invented by William G Morgan in 1985 and is a game played by people of all ages all over the world.
If you are a lover of the game volleyball and will probably like to know more about the game, then this article is for you. Let’s look at the various terms used in volleyball and what they actually mean.
Terms In Volleyball With Definitions
ACE – A serve that cannot be passed and results immediately in a point.
ANTENNA – A net stand in the middle of the volleyball court which separates the court into two sides, one for each team.
APPROACH – When a player moves quickly towards the net or ball in an attempt to make a play.
ASSIST – Passing the ball to a team mate who attacks the ball for a kill.
ATTACK – When one team attempts to terminate the play by hitting the ball to the floor on the opponents side.
ATTACK LINE – It is a line found on the volleyball court 3 meters back from the net. This line helps to separate players in front of the court from players in the back
ATTACK ERROR – An attack that is not successful due to the following:
- The ball goes into the net and terminates play or goes into the net on the third hit.
- The ball lands out of bounds
ATTACKER – A player who attempts to hit a ball offensively with the purpose of terminating play in his or her team’s favor. An attacker is also called a spiker.
BACKSET – A set that is delivered behind the setter’s back and is subsequently hit by an attacker.
BACKCOURT – Area from the end line to the attack line.
BACK ROW ATTACK – When a back row player takes off from behind the attack line and attacks the ball.
BASELINE – The back boundary on a volleyball court.
BEACH DIG – Receiving the ball with open hands.
BLOCK – When a player tries to block the attack before it crosses the net.
BLOCKING ERROR – A violation such as touching the net or blocking set that occurs while making a block attempt.
CENTER LINE – The line that runs horizontally in the middle of the court.
DEADBALL – A ball that is no longer in play after a team wins the match.
DECOY – An offensive play set up to disguise the receiving spiker.
DIG – The first hit made on an attack ball resulting in a successful pass. The ball is usually hit close to the ground.
DINK – Tapping the ball softly over the net.
DOUBLES – A game involving only two players per team. This is most commonly played on sand.
DOUBLE HIT – When a player makes two or more hits in a row.
DOUBLE QUICK – When two hitters quickly approach the setter.
FAULT – This when the rules are broken by a team, for example when a server steps over the line during a serve.
HELD BALL – A ball resting in the hands of a player resulting in a foul.
HIT – Striking the ball with a hard, overhand shot.
JOUST – When opposing players play the ball above the plane of the net.
KEY– When a player is able to predict it’s opponent’s next move.
LET – When a serve hits the top of the net and rolls onto the other side, resulting in a point
LINE SERVE – A straight serve landing on the opponent’s left sideline.
PLAY – An attack strategy.
POSITION – The role that a player plays on their team or a player’s location in the court.
RALLY – A volleyball play that starts with a serve and ends when there’s a deadball or when a team scores a point.
ROTATION – This is the movement of players in a clockwise direction around the court.
ROOF – This is when an opponent’s spike is blocked thereby making the ball to rebound back to the hitter.
SERVE – This is when a player begins the point by blocking an opponent ‘s attack and deflecting the ball back to the opponent’s floor.
SET – A situation where the ball is hit or directed to a good position where a teammate can spike it into the opponents court.
SHANK -An unplayable pass.
SPIKE – A strong hit made by an attacker trying to make a shot that can’t be returned.
STUFF – Winning a point by blocking an opponent’s attack and deflecting the ball back to the opponent’s floor.
STRONG SIDE – Left side of the court.
TOUCH – Coming in contact with the ball.
WEAK SIDE: Right side of the court.
Read also:
- Best volleyball shoes
- Volleyball guide for pregnant women
- Volleyball Defense Drills
- Volleyball Block Drills
These are the most popular and important terms in volleyball with their meanings. Nevertheless, there are few other terms in volleyball that may have not been listed here which you may come across while in the volleyball pitch.
If you are a new volleyball player, be sure that your coach will definitely educate you more on all the necessary terms you need to know.
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