Volleyball Firsthand

• Ace


  A serve that directly results in a point
• Attack


  Attempting to hit the ball onto opponent's side
• Types of attack

  • spike
  • tip
  • roll shot
  • dump
• Attacker


  Also called hitter or spiker (maximum of 4 spikers)
• Attacker error

  • Ball goes into net
  • Attacker commits center line
  • Attacker illegally contacts the ball
• Back zone area


  The space from base line to attack line
• Back row attack or Pipe attack


  Back row player takes off from behind the attack line and attacks the ball
• Block


  One of the 6 basic skills in playing volleyball. It is a defensive play by one or more front row players. It is done to avoid opponent-spikers to score
• Types of block

  • Attempted block - happens when there is no touch
  • Completed block - happens when there is touch
• Double hit


  1 person, 2 hits (but not in succession)
• Double contact


  2 contacts (example: head, then face)
• Center Line


  The line that divides the court
• Cross-court attack or Angle hit


  An attack directed diagonally from the point of attack
• Dig


  Passing a spiked ball that is low to ground
• Joust


  Happens when 2 opposing players contact the ball above the net which brings the ball to rest momentarily
• Libero


  A player specialized in defensive skills. He cannot block or attack the ball when entirely above the net height. He can replace any back row players.
• Linesman


  Officials rotated at the corner of the court
• Middle blocker


  Plays in the middle of the net
• Rally


  The exchange of hits
• Red card


  Given by the official for flagrant misconduct
• Substitution


  Happens when one player replaces another
• Touch


  Happens when a player contacts the ball on the defensive play
• Yellow card


  Given by the official as a warning of misconduct
• Types of whistle

  • Short whistle - done when there is a fault
  • Long whistle - done when there is authorization
• Team composition

  • 12 players
  • Maximum of 2 coaching staffs
  • Medical staffs (one team therapist and one medical doctor)
• Player equipment

  • Jersey – must be numbered from 1 to 20. It must be uniform for the team except for libero
  • Shorts
  • Socks
  • Sports shoes
• Front zone players

  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
• Back zone players

  • 5
  • 6
  • 1
• Four hits


  Happens when a team hits the ball four times before returning it
• Assisted hit


  Happens player takes support from a team-mate or any structure object
• Catch


  Happens when the ball is caught and/or thrown
• Double contact


  Happens when a player hits the ball twice in succession
• Interruptions


  The time between one completed rally and the 1st referee's whistle for the next service
• Regular game interruptions

  • Time-outs
  • Substitutions
• Delays

  • Late substitution
  • Late time-outs
• Interval


  Happens after a completed set or during change of courts