volleyball basics

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST: The player that subs in for another player to play back-row is called a “defensive specialist." This player’s main job is to play defense and pass on serve receive.

LIBERO: The player who wears a different color jersey and only plays in the back-row is called the “libero." This player’s main job is to serve receive pass, play defense and step in as the backup setter. They are allowed to play for any/all of the six players on the court in the back-row.

MIDDLE BLOCKER: The player that plays in the middle of the court in the front-row is called the “middle blocker." This player’s main job is to attack and block. This player usually receives shorter sets to spike. This player is often replaced by the libero in the back-row

OUTSIDE HITTER: The player that plays on the left side of the court in the front is called the “outside hitter”. This player’s main job is to attack and pass. Typically this player is one of the best on the team at terminating ("killing") the ball and will receive mores sets in a match than other hitters.

OPPOSITE HITTER: The player that plays on the right side of the court in the front-row. This player usually receives back sets to hit. The favored position for left- handed hitters.

SERVING SPECIALIST: A player substituted in only to serve for their teammate. Once the opposing team sides out, this player is substituted back out.

SETTER: The player in charge of the second ball is called the “setter." The setter doesn't necessarily play every second ball but they are in charge of determining who will play the second ball. This player’s main job is to set a “hit-able” ball for their teammates and allow the hitters to do the work to score.

4-2: A 6-player offensive system using four hitters and two setters. The setter is a front row player.

5-1: A 6-player offensive system that uses five hitters and one setter. The setter typically plays right-front and right-back and remains the setter for the length of the game. The main benefit of this system is the consistency from the setting position. .

6-2: A 6-player offense using 2 setters opposite one another in the rotation. this system features three front-row hitters at all times because the setter comes from a back row position.

ACE: A serve that is not passable and results immediately in a point.

ASSIST: Passing or setting the ball to a teammate who attacks the ball for a kill.

ATTACK: The offensive action of hitting the ball. The attempt by one team to terminate the play by hitting the ball to the floor on the opponent’s side.

Also known as a "hit" or a "spike". The attack is usually the third contact.

ATTACK LINE: A line 3m from the net that separates the front row players from the back row players. Commonly referred to as the “10-foot line."

Back row players cannot attack the ball above the net unless they have started their jump from behind the attack line

BUMP: A forearm pass

DIG: Passing an attacked ball that is hard hit or close to the ground

DOUBLE HIT: Two touches or contacts by the same player. (Illegal) Not usually called on the first pass,.

A double hit is often called on the second pass if it is a set that comes off the hands with a lot of rotation.

FLOAT: A serve which does not spin or rotate and can move in an erratic path. Similar to a knuckle ball in baseball.

FREE BALL: A ball that will be sent over the net on a pass instead of a spike.

IN-SYSTEM: When a team can run their offensive from a perfect pass (or dig) situation

JOUST: When 2 opposing plater are both trying to play the ball above the net

KILL: An attack that results in an immediate point

LET SERVE: A legal serve that touches the net on the way over.

MATCH: A match is a predetermined number of games. In NJSIAA boys volleyball, a match is the best of three games.

OUT-OF-SYSTEM: When a team is running their offensive from a poor pass (or dig) situation

PASS: The first contact after a serve is considered a “pass." Usually, a pass is made with a player’s forearms but can also be made overhead with two open hands.

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.

SERVE: The first contact that starts every rally is called a “serve." Usually, a server uses an open hand to swing overhead and send the ball over the net from behind the end line. There are three main types of serves: float serve, jump serve, jump float serve.

SET: A set is the second touch on a side after a pass or dig. Usually, a set is made with two hands overhead to pass the ball to a point where a player can spike it into the opponents court

SUBSTITUTION: When one player is replaced by another during a game, this is called a “substitution." Depending on the league, the number of substitutions is limited per game. Once a player on the bench crosses in front of the 10 ft line, they have entered the substitution zone and must be subbed in. Players are to wait, one inside the court and one outside the court, in front of the 10 ft line until signaled by the bookkeeper to switch.

TIP: A legal push of the all around or over blockers at the net. Also called a "dink" or "dump" this attack is usually sent short in the court but can also be sent deep.

A dink or tip is in contrast to swinging the arm to hit the ball over the net.