Volleyball Terminology
Basic Lingo and Terms

Basic Volleyball Terminology for Newbies

Here is volleyball terminology everyone should learn.

Volleyball Game (Set)
A volleyball game or set is played to a predetermined number of points. Games must be won by at least 2 points. For example, if a game is being played to 25 points, if a 24-24 tie occurs, the game isn’t over until a team leads by 2 points.

Volleyball Match
Matches are a made up of games. Match play usually consists of competing until one team wins 2 out of 3 or 3 out of 5 games.

Playing Fault
A fault is a violation of the rules. The result of a fault is a point. Examples of playing faults are: team hits the ball 4 times without returning it back over the net, a player contacts the ball 2 consecutive times, a player touches the net when blocking or attacking, a player catches and throws the ball.

Point

A point is the result of a rally. Points are scored in various ways - by players committing faults, ball landing "in", ball landing "out", etc.

Volleyball Rally
A rally is the time between the serve and the end of the play. In some volleyball terminology a rally is synonymous with volley.

Volley
A volley is keeping the ball in play and returning it to your opponent without committing any playing faults.

Rally Scoring
When a match is played with the rule of sideout scoring, every rally results in a point being scored, either by the team serving or the team receiving.

Side Out
When the receiving team wins the rally it is called a side out. The receiving team then must rotate positions. Now they are the serving team.

Sideout Scoring
When a match is played with sideout scoring, a point is only scored by the team that is currently serving.

Coaching Terms - Volleyball Terminology

Volleyball Coach
A coach is the person in charge of a team. Coaches make all the big decisions for the team – submitting the line up, calling time-outs, communicating with referees, etc.

Volleyball Referee
The referee is the person controlling the flow of the match. Organized volleyball is played with two referees controlling the match.

Overlap
An overlap occurs when players are out of alignment. Players must be in correct position on the court when the server is contacting the ball to serve.

Out of Alignment
A team may be whistled for out of alignment, if they are out of rotation order at the moment of service contact.

Screening
Screening is the illegal placement of players in order to prevent the opposition from seeing the ball or server. Screens take place during the serve. Usually a team is warned if there is a possible infraction, but a warning isn't required. It's very unusual for a team to be penalized for a screen.

Substitution
Depending on the rules of play, players may be substituted in and out of the game.

Time-out
A time out is break in action. Most rules allow for a team to call two timeouts per game (or set).

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Player Actions - Volleyball Terminology

Volleyball Hit
Also called an attack, a hit is when you jump and strike the ball with an overhand arm swing.

Volleyball Spiker
A volleyball hitter is sometimes called a volleyball spiker or attacker. The spike is one of the most fun and athletic plays in volleyball.

Volleyball Set
A set is when a player tries to place the ball near the net to assist a spiker in killing the ball. Setting is a skill that must be practiced with many repetitions.

Kill
A kill is a successful hit by an attacker that results in a point for the attacking team. Kills are executed by hitting the ball off a block or down onto the opponents floor.

Volleyball Dig
Volleyball terminology for a dig is defined as passing a spiked or hard hit ball. Defensive players are often call diggers.

Volleyball Bump Pass
A volleyball bump is done by joining your forearms together to pass a ball. It's most common to pass the ball when it's coming from the other side of the net. However, some passers may decide to play the ball overhead instead of bump passing.

Overhead Pass
An overhead pass is usually taken with the fingers, up overhead. Taking the ball up overhead with the hands is usually easier to control than passing with the forearms.

Block
A block is a combination of one, two or three players jumping up with the hands and arms reaching up above the net in front of the opposing spiker. The purpose of the block is to prevent the opponents from hitting the ball into your court. 

Volleyball Terminology Related Pages

More Terms

Serve Terms

Understanding Positions

Offense Terminology