Just like a large bank of vocabulary helps you understand the context of a particular piece of content. Similarly, sound knowledge of sport-specific terminology helps you to understand the core spirit of the game. Below is the latest list of Volleyball terms so you can dabble into this enthusiastic game with confidence.
Let’s start with the fundamental volleyball terms.
Ace
It is the service that the receiving team fails to receive the ball, and the ball touches the ground surface.
Block solo
When only a selective blocker of the team blocks all the balls, it also results in an instant point.
Campfire
It refers to the close grouping of players encircling a ball that strikes the ground in the middle or nearer to the players’ group. Usually, a group of two or four players encircles the ball.
Crosscourt or Angle
It is the passing of the ball from one team’s sideline to the opposite team sideline in a diagonal angle.
Collective Block/ Block Assist
The collective block is the simultaneous move of two to three blockers to block the ball. It usually results in successful blocking.
Dive/ Sprawl
Dive is an emergency action of a player to save, preventing ball contact from the ground. In this move, the player lowers its body either entirely or partially on the ground.
Deep
Throwing the ball to the back of the opposite team player is termed as deep.
Free ball
When a player hits the ball that is easy to receive for the opponent player and passes by using any passing technique, it strengthens one’s team’s attacking position.
Four two offense
It’s a strategy comprising of two setters and four spikers. One setter is front row while the other is in the back row. At the same time, two setters are in front and two at the back rows. The merit of the four-two offense strategy is each setter can easily cover its designated row. However, demerit is the team that has only two spikers in the front row.
Five-one offense
This offensive strategy comprises of five hitters and only one setter. The advantage is obvious: the hitters remain the same in all sets. However, the demerit is to have only one setter.
Kill
It’s the technique in which the player hits the ball that the receiving side cannot return.
Kong
The player is blocking the ball from one hand only.
Lollipop Serve
A light serve that a receiver can easily predict and throwback the ball to the opponent team.
Paintbrush
It is the modified version of the kill. In this player brushes the ball that results in the ball falling over the blockers.
Pancake
It is another urgent move by the defensive player to save the ball from a kill. In this act, players place the hand in a prone position to hinder the ball from striking the ground and bounces off to continue the rally.
Pepper
It’s the name of the drill that uses all significant skills of volleyball. It includes set, pass, and hit. Minimum two players are needed to perform the drill. There is no compulsion for the net.
Pokey
It’s a player’s technique to throw a ball in the opponent’s court by the knuckle of his hands.
Rally
A continuation of a ball exchange between one team to the other. In other words, when the ball is in the play.
Rainbow
It refers to the shot that has an accurate projector landing of a ball similar to a rainbow.
Redwood
The unusual or tallest blocker among other team players.
Roundhouse service
The typical serves require the player to position the sideline perpendicular to the end line. Then the player places the ball in the air right in front of the body on its shoulder level to hit the ball. This service results in a continuous topspin of the ball.
Stuff Block
It is the hitter’s act returning the ball by jumping over the net, throwing it back to the spiker.
Six Pack/ Facial
When the spiked ball hit the facial area or head of the receiving team player.
Six two Offence
An offensive strategy that has two setters and six spikers.
Serving Zones
Each half court of volleyball has six serving zones. Zone 1 and 2 is for right back and front, respectively. Whereas, zone 4 and 5 is for left front and back, respectively. While zone 3 and 6 represents the middle front and back, respectively.
Service Winner
When the serving team scores a point after the defending team fails to receive or make any foul during the rally.
Service Error
A service in which the ball fails to reach the opponent’s court. It can be due to the server’s foot fault; the ball touches the net or any other object that is not in the play. Additionally, if the ball hits the ground outside the court.
Spatch
The unintentional slow or light throw of the ball by the hitter.
Sky Ball
It is the extraordinary throw of a ball that lands on the side of the opponent’s court. The serving technique requires a lot of practice and is dodgy to receive.
Tandem pass
It’s a pass that is closer to the body so that players can have strong control over the ball.
Tool / Wipe
When the blocker cannot return the ball on the opposing side, the ball falls either outside the court or inside the blocker’s own playing court.
Tip
A player is hitting the ball over the net with the inner pads of the finger. However, it is usually short but sometimes can result in a deep throw.
Trap Set
Set that is slightly closer to the net.
Ten set/pipe
An attack from the back row player. This involves the jump of the attacking player behind the attacking line.
Weak side
The weak side of the left-handed player is the left side of the net. Similarly, the right side of the net is the week side of the right-handed player. This area is the attacking zone.
Whale
It is the unplanned aimless throw from the player lacking a specific strategy.
