Volleyball Glossary With Rule References.
Every volleyball term defined with official rule citations from FIVB, USAV, NFHS, and NCAA. Each definition is self-contained and quotable.
All Volleyball Terms.
Libero
The libero is a specialized back-row defensive player who wears a contrasting jersey color. Per FIVB Rule 19.1, the libero may only play in back-row p...
FIVB Rule 19
Rotation
Rotation is the clockwise movement of all six players one position when a team wins back the serve (sideout). Per FIVB Rule 7.6.1, teams must rotate i...
FIVB Rule 7.6
Sideout
A sideout occurs when the receiving team wins the rally and gains the right to serve. Under rally scoring (the current system), a point is awarded on ...
FIVB Rule 6.3
Overlap
An overlap fault (also called a positional fault) occurs when a player is not in their correct rotational position at the moment the ball is contacted...
FIVB Rule 7.5
Rally Scoring
Rally scoring is the scoring system used in all levels of modern volleyball. Per FIVB Rule 6.3, a point is awarded to the serving team if the rally is...
FIVB Rule 6.3
Lift
A lift (also called a carry or held ball) is an illegal contact where the ball visibly comes to rest, is caught, or is thrown rather than cleanly stru...
FIVB Rule 9.2.2
Double Contact (Double Hit)
A double contact occurs when a player hits the ball twice in succession or the ball contacts two parts of the body in succession. Per FIVB Rule 9.2.1,...
FIVB Rule 9.2.1
Block
A block is the action of players close to the net to intercept the ball coming from the opponent by reaching above the net. Per FIVB Rule 14.1.1, only...
FIVB Rule 14
Dig
A dig is a defensive technique used to receive a hard-driven attack, typically performed with a forearm pass (bump) to prevent the ball from touching ...
FIVB Rule 9.1 (contact principles)
Ace (Service Ace)
A service ace occurs when a serve lands in the opponent's court untouched, or is passed by the receiving team in a manner that the ball cannot be kept...
FIVB Rule 12 (service)
Setter
The setter is the primary ball-distributing player on a team, responsible for the second contact in most offensive plays. While "setter" is a position...
FIVB Rule 13 (attack hit)
Libero Replacement Zone
The libero replacement zone is the area between the attack line and the end line on the sideline where the libero may enter and exit the court. Per FI...
FIVB Rule 19.3.2
Rotation Fault
A rotation fault (also called a serving-order fault) is committed when a team serves out of rotational order. Per FIVB Rule 7.7, the fault results in ...
FIVB Rule 7.7
Overlap Fault (Positional Fault)
An overlap fault is committed when one or more players are out of their correct rotational position at the moment the server contacts the ball. Per FI...
FIVB Rule 7.5.2
Back-Row Attack
A back-row attack fault occurs when a back-row player completes an attack hit while the ball is entirely above the top of the net and the player's tak...
FIVB Rule 13.3.2
Service Zone
The service zone is the area behind the end line from which the server must contact the ball during a serve. Per FIVB Rule 12.4, the service zone is 9...
FIVB Rule 12.4
Attack Line (3-Meter Line)
The attack line is a line drawn 3 meters from and parallel to the center line on each side of the court. Per FIVB Rule 1.3.3, the attack line divides ...
FIVB Rule 1.3.3
Free Zone
The free zone is the area outside the playing court boundaries within which players may move and complete actions. Per FIVB Rule 1.1.3, the free zone ...
FIVB Rule 1.1.3
Antenna
The antenna is a flexible fiberglass rod, 1.8 meters long and 10 mm in diameter, attached to the outer edge of each sideline band of the net. Per FIVB...
FIVB Rule 2.3
Float Serve
A float serve is a serve struck without imparting spin, causing the ball to travel with an unpredictable, knuckleball-like trajectory due to air resis...
FIVB Rule 12
Jump Serve (Topspin Serve)
A jump serve (also called a topspin serve) is an aggressive serving technique in which the server tosses the ball forward, takes an approach, jumps, a...
FIVB Rule 12.4
Jump Float Serve
A jump float serve combines the movement of a jump serve with the spin-free contact of a float serve. The server tosses the ball, takes a short approa...
FIVB Rule 12
Setter Dump (Setter Attack)
A setter dump occurs when the setter, instead of setting the ball to a hitter, attacks it directly over the net on the second contact. It is not defin...
FIVB Rule 13
Quick Set (1-Set)
A quick set (also called a "1" or "A" in common offense notation) is a set delivered to a hitter who has already begun their approach and is jumping a...
FIVB Rule 9 (contact principles)
Pipe Attack (Pipe)
A pipe attack is a back-row attack hit from the middle-back position (position 6) behind the attack line. The hitter approaches from behind the 3-mete...
FIVB Rule 13.3.2
Slide Attack
A slide attack is a quick, one-foot takeoff attack typically by a right-side or middle hitter running laterally behind the setter and attacking to the...
FIVB Rule 13
Tip / Dink
A tip (also called a dink or roll shot) is a soft attack hit placed over or around the block into an open area of the opponent's court. Legally, it mu...
FIVB Rule 9.2.2
Pancake
A pancake is a defensive emergency technique in which a player slides a flat hand along the floor so the ball contacts the back of the hand instead of...
FIVB Rule 9.1
Seam
The seam (or seam ball) refers to a serve or attack directed to the area between two defensive players, exploiting the uncertainty of which player is ...
FIVB Rule 12 (service) / Rule 13 (attack)
Overpass
An overpass occurs when a team accidentally sends the ball over the net on their first or second contact instead of setting up for an organized attack...
FIVB Rule 11.1
Joust
A joust occurs when two opposing players simultaneously contact the ball above the net. Per FIVB Rule 11.3.2, if the ball is held between two opponent...
FIVB Rule 11.3.2
Shank
A shank is a colloquial term for a badly misdirected pass or dig, typically caused by off-center contact with the forearms, sending the ball out of th...
FIVB Rule 9.2.1
Tool (Using the Block)
"Tooling the block" (also called using the block or wipe) is an offensive technique in which the attacker intentionally hits the ball into the blocker...
FIVB Rule 10.1.3
Wipe (Wiping off the Block)
Wiping off the block is synonymous with "tooling" the block: the attacker contacts the ball to deflect it off the blocker's hands and out of bounds, w...
FIVB Rule 10.1
Roof (Stuff Block)
A roof is a slang term for a dominant stuff block in which the blocker's hands are positioned above the ball and drive it straight down into the attac...
FIVB Rule 14.1.1
Swing Blocking
Swing blocking is a technique in which a blocker starts outside the antenna and swings their arms horizontally inward as they jump, covering a wider r...
FIVB Rule 14.3.1
Rally
A rally is the sequence of playing actions from the service hit until the ball is put out of play. Per FIVB Rule 1.4.5 (definitions), a rally ends whe...
FIVB Rule 6.3
Serve-Receive
Serve-receive (also called reception or pass) is the first team contact used to receive the opponent's serve and initiate an offensive play. It is typ...
FIVB Rule 9 (contact)
Passing Lanes
Passing lanes are the designated court areas assigned to each passer in serve-receive formation. Typically three or four players form a W or three-per...
FIVB Rule 9 (contact)
5-1 Rotation (Offensive System)
The 5-1 is an offensive system using one designated setter and five attackers. In a 5-1 rotation, the setter is always the player who sets regardless ...
FIVB Rule 7.5 (rotation/overlap)
6-2 Rotation (Offensive System)
The 6-2 offensive system uses two setters and six potential attackers. The setter who is in the back row always sets, ensuring three front-row hitters...
FIVB Rule 7.5 (rotation/overlap)
4-2 Rotation (Offensive System)
The 4-2 is a basic offensive system using two setters placed opposite each other in the rotation and four hitters. One setter is always in the front r...
FIVB Rule 7.5 (rotation/overlap)
Read Blocking
Read blocking (also called "reading" or "soft blocking") is a defensive blocking technique in which the blocker waits to observe the setter's body pos...
FIVB Rule 14 (blocking)
Commit Blocking
Commit blocking is a blocking technique in which the blocker keys on and commits to jump with a specific hitter before the setter makes contact, attem...
FIVB Rule 14 (blocking)
Net Violation (Net Fault)
A net violation occurs when a player contacts any part of the net, including the top tape, during an action of playing the ball or as a result of thei...
FIVB Rule 11.3.1
Centerline Violation (Crossing Line Fault)
A centerline violation occurs when a player completely crosses the centerline (the line along the center of the net at floor level) and has both feet ...
FIVB Rule 11.3.3
Penetration (Blocking Penetration)
Penetration refers to a blocker reaching their arms and hands over and across the top of the net into the opponent's space. Per FIVB Rule 14.3, after ...
FIVB Rule 14.3
Screening
Screening is an illegal action in which one or more players on the serving team visually obstruct the opponents' view of the server or the ball's flig...
FIVB Rule 12.5.1
Approach
The approach is the footwork sequence a hitter uses to generate momentum before jumping to attack. A standard four-step approach consists of right-lef...
FIVB Rule 13 (attack hit)
Arm Swing
The arm swing is the motion used to generate power and control when attacking the ball. A full arm swing typically involves drawing the hitting arm ba...
FIVB Rule 9.1
Transition
Transition in volleyball refers to the shift from one phase of the game to another: specifically from defense (digging an attack) back to offense (set...
FIVB Rule 13 (attack hit)
Setter Options
Setter options refers to the variety of attackers and sets available to the setter on a given play. In a 5-1 system with the setter in the back row, t...
FIVB Rule 13 (attack hit)
Help Side
The help side (or help-side blocker) refers to the blocker or blockers who move to assist the primary blocker in forming a double or triple block on a...
FIVB Rule 14.1.1
Ball Handling
Ball handling refers broadly to a player's ability to contact the ball cleanly and control it, encompassing setting, passing, and other non-attack con...
FIVB Rule 9.2.1; FIVB Rule 9.2.2