A.C.E "Automatic Complaints and Excuses"- a type of player who is always ready with an ailment or handy excuse for any ball that they should have played but did not (not good for the team).
ACE A serve not returned by the opponents.
Antenna A thin vertical rod used as an extension on the net above the sideline used to determine the legality of balls when crossing over the net from outside the court.
Attack Line Limiting line 10 feet from the net for which back court players attempting to attack may not touch or be in front of when higher than the top of the net.
Campfire Defense Everyone stands around in a circle and watches the ball drop into the center of the group.
Cheerleader Jump A jump that is used when hitting where the legs come apart like a cheerleader.
Covering Hitter Position took by teammates in anticipation of a successful block by opponents of your attack.
Credit Card Jump -A jump counted by the number of credit cards you could put between the shoe bottom and the floor.
Cut Shot A spike from the hitter's strong side that travels at a sharp angle across the court.
Dig Reception of an attack by the defender.
Dive A defensive move which places a player in a face down position in an attempt to play a distant ball.
Double Hit Successive hits by the same player.
Down Ball A ball the opponent attacks but does so from a deep position or not with total control. Blockers do not jump, but stay near the net.
Fish The serving target.
Five-One An offensive system that uses five hitters and one setter.
Floater Name for any hit ball that travels with no spin. the most common serve used.
Forearm pass A skill technique where the ball is rebounded off the player's forearms to the desired target.
Foul Any action or situation that causes the referee to blow their whistle prior to the ball hitting the floor. A violation of the rules.
Four-Two An offensive system using four hitters and two setters.
Free Ball A ball the opponent does not attack and plays by passing it over the net. blockers drop off the net and the setter awaits a good pass in the target ares.
Goon A big player on the net that blocks everything. Both teams can have a goon.
Kill An attack that is not returned by the opposing team even if there had been hope of it being returned.
Line Shot A ball spiked along an opponents sideline closest to the hitter and outside the block.
Off Speed Hit A ball that loses power quickly because it was hit purposely with less than usual force.
Overhead(Hand) Serve Traditional "Throwing" style serve where the ball is hit while it is still higher than the server's head and facing the serving target.
Overlap Foul which occurs when players on either team are not in the original rotational pattern at time of service.
Pancake A last ditch effort to save the ball from the floor where the hand is extended and slid along the floor, palm down so the ball rebounds off the back of the hand rather than the floor.
Roll Shot An off speed shot hit off the heel of the hand while still making a nearly full attack arm swing. Placed just over the block, the shot can legally be sent long or short as long as it is not carried.
Roof To block a spike usually straight down and for a point. Also known as "Getting Stuffed."
Rotation Unique aspect where upon entering a sideout, the team rotates one position clockwise.
Save Any defensive play that prevents obvious disaster and keeps the ball in play.
Set A play of the ball to position it to be attacked. The ball is "set" with the hands.
Setter The designation given to a specialist who has been selected as the primary person to set the hitters.
Side Out Change of service when a serving team has failed to score a point.
Six Pack To be hit in the face with a spike. Also called a "facial."
Soft Block A blocking position which allows the blocked ball to rebound "High and Soft" back to your teammates.
Spike A powerful attack on the ball by a player who jumps and directs the ball over the net to the opponent's court.
Sprawl The finishing defensive position on a hard spike that could hit in front of the defender.
Tape Shot A spike or ball coming over the net that hits the top of the net and dribbles over.
Tight Set A ball set too close to the net; balls set less less than a meter off the net.