Volleyball words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 31 words · Step 2 of 2

Court and equipment

Antennae and crossing space

An antenna is a rod fastened at the outer edge of each side band; the antennae count as part of the net. The ball must cross to the opponents' court through the crossing space, which lies between the antennae and their imaginary extension, above the top of the net and below the ceiling.

Also called: antenna, antennae

Scoring terms

Double fault

Two opponents commit faults at the same time. The rally is replayed.

Default and incomplete team

A team that refuses to play or does not appear on time is in default and loses the match 0-3 (0-2 on the beach). A team that cannot field six players is incomplete, loses the set or match, and keeps the points and sets it has.

Also called: default

Serving terms

Screening

Players of the serving team must not prevent the opponents from seeing the service hit and the flight of the ball, for example by waving arms, jumping, moving sideways or standing grouped. A service that passes over a screen is a fault.

Also called: screen
See also: Fault, Service

Block the service

Blocking an opponent's service is forbidden, and a player may not attack a serve that is in the front zone and entirely higher than the net.

Playing terms and skills

Block touch

A block is completed whenever the ball is touched by a blocker. Consecutive contacts by one or more blockers during one action are allowed. After a block the first hit may be made by any player, including the one who touched the ball at the block.

Collective block

A block by two or three players close to each other (two on the beach), completed when one of them touches the ball.

Assisted hit

A fault: a player takes support from a team-mate or any structure or object to hit the ball within the playing area. A team-mate may hold back a player who is about to commit a fault.

Overhand finger pass

A pass played with the fingertips above the head. Indoors, if a libero does it in the front zone, no player may attack the ball while it is entirely above the net. On the beach an attack hit with an overhand pass must have a trajectory perpendicular to the line of the shoulders, unless the player is setting a team-mate.

See also: Set (the pass), Spike, Attack hit, Libero

Positions and rotation

Line-up

The coach gives the starting line-up sheet before each set, showing the rotational order of the six players. It cannot be changed except by a regular substitution.

Match flow

Technical time-out

In FIVB events, an automatic extra 30-second pause in sets 1 and 2 when the two teams' points add up to 21. There is none in the deciding set.

Exceptional substitution

When a player is injured, ill, expelled or disqualified and cannot be replaced legally, any player not on court (except a libero) may come in, outside the usual limits. The replaced player cannot return.

Libero replacement

A libero comes on or off for a back-row player through the libero replacement zone. It is not a substitution and is unlimited, but there must be a completed rally between two replacements.

Interval

The break between sets: three minutes indoors, one minute on the beach. The line-up is recorded during it.

Delay warning and delay penalty

Team sanctions for delaying the game. The first delay in the match is a delay warning. Each later delay is a delay penalty: a point and the service to the opponents.

Also called: delay warning, delay penalty
See also: Service

Misconduct sanctions

Individual sanctions in escalating order: penalty (a point and service to the opponents, for the first rude conduct), expulsion (out for the rest of the set) and disqualification (out for the rest of the match). A yellow card is a formal warning with no sanction.

Video challenge

In FIVB events using the Video Challenge System, a challenge referee supervises a review of a decision under the challenge regulations. Those regulations are separate and not in the rulebook.

Replay

The rally is replayed after external interference, a double fault, a serious injury while the ball is in play, or a service made before the referee's whistle.

Also called: replayed
See also: Referee, Rally, Fault, Double fault, Service

Attacking terms

Quick attack

A very fast set placed close to the setter, letting the hitter attack before the block is fully ready.

Also called: quick set
See also: Spike, Setter

Slide attack

An attacking approach where the hitter runs along the net rather than straight into it, common for middle blockers.

Back-row attack

An attack hit by a back-row player. It is legal if the player's take-off does not touch or cross the attack line, and the player may land in the front zone. A back-row player may also hit from the front zone if the ball is lower than the top of the net at the moment of contact. The 3 m attack line applies; the reference's "ten foot line" is the American name.

Also called: backrow attack, pipe
See also: Spike, Attack hit

Tip

A soft hit placed over or around the block. It is a legal attack hit only if the ball is cleanly hit, not caught or thrown. On the beach an attack hit with an open-handed finger action, or with fingertips that are not rigid and together, is a fault.

Also called: dump
See also: Fault, Spike, Attack hit

Roll shot

An attacking shot hit with less power but placed carefully into open space on the court.

Defensive terms

Read blocking

A blocking approach where blockers react to the setter and hitter rather than committing early.

Commit block

Jumping to block a specific hitter before the set is fully delivered, betting on where the attack will go.

Free ball

An easy, non attacking ball sent over the net, giving the defending team time to set up their offence.

Pancake

A defensive dig where a player slides and gets a flat hand under the ball just before it hits the floor.

Team strategy terms

5-1 system

A common team formation using one setter for all rotations and five attackers.

6-2 system

A formation using two setters who also attack when in the front row, giving three attackers at all times.

Serve receive

The formation and technique a team uses to control the opponent's serve and set up their own attack.

Also called: service reception
See also: Spike

Out of system

A situation where the usual attacking options aren't available due to an imperfect pass or dig, forcing improvisation.

All Volleyball words