VOLLEYBALL 101
TERMINOLOGY
Ace: A serve that is not returned by the opponent.
Assist: A set or a pass to a player that gets a kill.
Attack (Hit): A ball that a player hits overhand in an attempt to hit the floor.
Attacker (Hitter): A player who hits the ball.
Base: Defensive positions that the players on the team always return to.
Block: A defensive play in which a player contacts the ball with their hands above their
head at the plane of the net to stop or slow down their opponent’s hit.
Dig: A defensive play used to keep the opponent from getting a kill.
Down Ball: An overhand attack where the player does not leave their feet.
Dump: An attack, typically performed by the setter, that sends the over ball over on the
second contact to an open area of the court.
Free Ball: A ball that comes slowly (usually off a pass) over the net. The offensive
team wants to take advantage of this and make an attack.
Kill: A hit that results in an immediate point (can be off some passes and sets
occasionally).
Match: A volleyball contest, consisting of individual sets.
Pass: A way to deliver the ball to a teammate by using the forearms.
Rally: When the volleyball goes back and forth on both sides of the net.
Serve: The way to start each point. A player makes contact with the ball (underhand or
overhand) from behind the end line.
Set (Game): 3 sets make up a match in club volleyball.
Set (Overhand pass): An overhand two-handed pass used to deliver the ball to the
hitter.
Setter: The person that delivers the ball to the hitters (typically the second ball).
Side-Out: When the team that was receiving the ball wins a rally and then becomes
the serving team.
Substitution: When one player replaces another player on the court. There is a limit
allowed per set.
BASIC RULES
o A Volleyball game is called a Match. Each match consists of sets. In club
volleyball, each match has three sets, if necessary.
o Sets are usually played to 25 points. A deciding set (3rd set) is usually
played to 15 points.
o Rally-scoring is used. A team earns points both on their own errors as
well as their opponent’s errors.
