Commonly Used Volleyball Terms
If you are considering taking up the great sport of volleyball, there are a few “volleyball terms” you should make it a point to learn. We are going to discuss some of the most important volleyball terms that we are sure will make the overall game much easier for you to grasp. So, let’s get started!
The first list of terms refers to the type of game/match and the scoring methods used during each.
Volleyball Set or Game: A volleyball set or game will be played until either team reaches or surpasses the prearranged set of points (providing they do so by at least two points more than the other team). For instance, say the set goes to the first team to reach 25 yet both sides are tied at 24 points each, the set cannot end until one team leads by at least two points.
Volleyball Match: A match is composed of several games. A match is usually won in terms of “best 3 out of 5” or the best out of however many games are predetermined before the match.
Fault: This is pretty self-explanatory. When a player has committed a “fault”, they have broken the rules (such as the same player hitting the ball twice in a row or catching and throwing the ball). The penalty per fault is a point.
Point: A means of scoring which can be gained when a team commits a fault, hits the ball outside the court parameters, etc.
Rally: A term used to describe the on-going play throughout a game. A rally begins when a team serves and ends when the ball hits the floor or a team incurs a fault.
Rally Point Scoring: This is the most common form of scoring because it allows the game to progress in a quicker fashion than sideout scoring. In this form of scoring, either the serving or the receiving side wins a point during the rally.
Sideout Scoring: This is the traditional method of scoring; however it is not widely used anymore because it tends to draw out the amount of time between points and makes for a duller overall game. In this form of scoring, only the serving team can score a point. When the receiving team wins a rally, they win the right to serve.
The second list of volleyball terms refers to the types of “moves” used in volleyball.
Serve: This move starts off each rally. The player stands behind the inline and serves the ball with the intent of driving it into the other team’s court. There are two types of serves. The first is commonly referred to as “overhand”, in which one hand is used to toss the ball into the air and the other hand is used to hit the ball above shoulder level. The second type of serving is called “underhand” and is rarely used in professional competitions. This serve is conducted with one hand holding the ball out at waist level while the other hand hits the ball.
Block: This one is just like it sounds. A block is performed by the players in the front of the court (nearest to the net) with the intent to prevent (block) the ball from coming into their court. The players extend their arms overhead and usually over the net to prevent the ball from even leaving the other team’s court.
Pass: This is the move used to receive the other team’s serve or attack. There are two basic techniques used in this category: the overhand pass and the forearm pass. The overhand pass is performed by spreading both hands above the head and using the fingertips to hit the ball either back to the opponent or to a teammate. The forearm pass is performed by joining the hands together and using the inner part of the forearms to hit the ball.
Set: The “set” move is executed much the same as the overhand pass, only it is often the second point of contact the team has made for the ball and often serves as a set up for a spike or attack into the other team’s court.
Spike (Attack): This is most often the third point of contact a team has with the ball. It is often executed by hitting the ball mid-air using one hand. This move is often performed with a great deal of power and at an angle that makes it extremely difficult for the opponent to stop the ball from hitting the ground.