Volleyball
Game Guide

Volleyball Game Glossary C

Campfire Defense

when a ball hits the floor, normally in a ring of defenders who look like they are standing around a campfire, amazed that the ball has touched the ground and no one defended it.

Carry

the act of prolonging contact with the ball that is illegal.

Centerline

the line running under the net, between the two posts.

Centerline Violation

the crossing of an opponent into the other teams half of the court..

Chester

being hit with the volleyball in the chest. Do I hear an Ouch?

Cover The Hitter

the act of multiple players attempting to block a particularly good attacker on the other team in order to block them.

Closing the Block

two players close in together to create a defensive block to prevent the ball from touching the floor between them.

Cross-Court Shot

term for organized attack from one end of the opposing team's side of the net to the opposite sideline.

Crossing Space

the space over the net where the ball must cross in order to be in play.

Cut Shot

a spike that is traveling at an angle across the net to the opposition.

Volleyball Game Glossary D

Dead Ball

a ball in play, declared dead by an official.

Decoy

term for offensive play meant to camouflage the spiker.

Deep Dish

a set where the player maintains control of the ball for a prolonged and illegal period of time. An extreme version of a carry.

Deep Set

term for strategic play to put off the timing of opposing blockers.

Dig

retrieving a ball that has been spiked or hit into your area, typically occurring low to the ground and resulting in a successful pass to a teammate. When successful, a smooth move!

Dink

jargon for push of the ball around or over opposing blockers.

Double Block

team of 2 players create a strategic move to deflect an attacked ball.

Double Quick

team of 2 players move towards an opposing setter for a quick inside hit.

Doubles

term for 2-player team on each side, usually a beach volleyball game.

Double Touch

the act of a player touching the ball twice in a row, resulting in a turnover.

Down Ball

jargon for ball in play that blockers determine will not result in a successful block or spike return.

Volleyball Players Terms F

Facial

a spike that makes contact with an opponent's face. A very big OUCH!

Fish or Tuna

a player who is entangled in the volleyball net.

Five-one

offensive strategy using 6-players to include 5 hitters and 1 setter.

Five Set

includes a right front hitter and a back set.

Floater

a serve that does not spin, is flat and is seen fluttering, dropping or changing direction.

Foot Fault

the act of putting your foot on or over the end line when serving.

Forearm pass

occurs when the arms area from elbows to the wrists are formed to hit the ball in an underhand motion.

Foul

game rules violation.

Four-two

offensive strategy using 6-players to include 4 hitters and 2 setters.

Free Ball

a weak attack that is easy to return by the opponent.

Friendly Fire

the act of being hit in the head by a teammate serving behind you.

Front Zone

the area in front of the attack line.

Volleyball Players Terms H

Held Ball

is a foul occurring when ball stops during contact.

Heater

a hard deliberate spike. It's a pounder!

Hit

the act of hitting the ball.

Hitter

refers to spiker or attacker.

Hitting Percentage

calculated as kills vs. attempts.

Volleyball Players Terms I - K

Interval

time between sets, usually three minutes.

Isolation Play

strategic move to isolate an attacker against a defender.

Joust

occurs when 2 opposing players together battle for an above-the-net ball.

Jungle Ball/Picnic Volleyball

game played by inexperienced players.

Jump Serve

term for the beginning of a serve where the player tosses the ball upwards followed by a quick jump up to hit the ball downwards.

Key

attempt to predict the opposing team's next play.

Kill

the act of hitting the ball with great force into the opponent’s court. One of the most exciting plays of the game and a definite crowd pleaser.

Kneepads

pads worn by players to protect the knees when making contact with the floor during digs.

Volleyball Players Terms L

Let Serve

occurs when a serve touches the net. Results in either a ball-in-play if it goes over the net or dead ball if it stays in the serving team’s court.

Line

marked boundaries of a volleyball court.

Line Judge

person situated on each out of bounds line who judges whether a ball is in or out of bounds.

Line Shot

occurs when the ball is spiked at opponent's sideline close to the hitter and outside the block.

Lip

a successful dig. Another crowd pleaser worth applause!

Volleyball Players Terms M - N

Match

a series of three sets played in best of three format. The first team to win two sets wins the match.

Middle-back

defensive strategy using the middle back player to cover deep spikes.

Middle-up

defensive strategy using the middle back player to cover dinks or short shots.

Mintonette

Original name by William Morgan, inventor of the game.

Multiple Offense

strategy whereby a team mixes up different tactical plays against opponents. Keep 'em guessing, yes?

Net

refers to the net between the two sides that the ball must travel over.

Volleyball Players Terms O

Off-speed Hit

spiked ball not hit hard, but with spin.

Officials

enforcers of the rules who judge the game as it happens and award points.

Outside Hitter

left or right attacker moving from outside the court.

Overhand Pass

passing with both hands open utilizing fingers and thumbs.

Overhand Serve

serving the ball with a motion above the shoulder.

Overlap

players’ positions before ball contact when serving.

Volleyball Players Terms P - Q

Pancake

occurs when a player uses one hand, open palm to dive and retrieve a hit. Alternatively, the hit is returned using the back of the hand.

Passer

a player who passes the ball to an attacker.

Penetration

occurs when reaching across the net to block a hit.

Points

the result of a successful rally. Worthy of cheers and yeahs!

Power Alley

term for long hit that avoids the spiker and moves to the farthest point of the court.

Power Tip

ball hit with maximum force by opposing team player.

Quick Set

timely move between setter and hitter team members. A 1-2 step of set and hit against the opposing team.

Volleyball Players Terms R

Rally

the act of the ball being put into play. The team who does not let the ball touch the ground or go out of bounds is the winner of the rally. The longer the rally, the longer the excitement and suspense for the fans!

Ready Position

player preparing to make ball contact.

Reception error

occurs when a serve is not returned and results in an ace for the opposing team.

Red Card

a penalty awarded for misconduct. The most severe in the game and results in loss of serve.

Roof

spiked ball that is blocked by the opposing team and quickly lands on the attacker’s side of the court.

Rotation

the pattern in which players move on the court during change of possession.

Volleyball Players Terms S

Scorekeeper

the keeper of the official point tally.

Screening

blocking the view of the server from the defending team.

Serve

the act of hitting the ball into play at the beginning of each rally.

Server

team member who places the ball into play.

Service Error

a failed serve resulting in a point for the opposing team.

Service Winner

a successful serve resulting in a point for the serving team.

Set

strategy move to set the ball skillfully so that a team member can spike it.

Setter

a player who specializes in setting up teammates to attack.

Sideline

the side boundary on the volleyball court.

Side Out

loss of serve by one team, resulting in the serve being given to the other team.

Six Pack

blocker is struck in the face or head by a spiked ball.

Six-two

strategy using 6-players to include 2 setters that change positions whereby one player moves to the front as a hitter and the other moves to the back as the setter.

Smash

a hard hit ball with high velocity.

Spike

the act of hitting the ball above ones head with great velocity into the opponent's side of the court.

Spiker

one who is designated to spike. Likely, the star of the game!

Strong Side

hitter that changes positions from left to right or alternatively from right to left.

Stuff

jargon for block.

Volleyball Players Terms T - Z

Time Out

stoppage of play called by one team.

Tip

the act of using the finger tips to tip the ball across the net.

Turning In

blocker turning towards the court to direct the ball in-bounds.

Underhand Serve

a serve that is tossed underhanded and hit with the opposite closed fist.

Volley Pass

the passing of the ball to a teammate using the fingers.

Weak Side

occurs when a right-handed player is hitting from right-front position or vice-versa.

Wipe

occurs when a hitter moves the ball from the opponents block in order to be out of bounds.

Yellow Card

the first warning for misconduct determined by a referee. The combination of a yellow and red card being awarded results in ejection from the game.

Yips

bad case of nerves resulting in shakes that make it very difficult for a gamer to play well. This phrase can be used in reference to many games and is recognized by both players and fans alike.