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.
This glossary defines 56 volleyball terms, from rules language such as rotation fault and back-row attack to playing terms such as pipe attack and joust. Each definition states the rule in one or two quotable sentences and names the official FIVB, USAV, NFHS, or NCAA rule it comes from.
To compare a rule across rulesets, use the volleyball rules reference. For direct answers such as how many timeouts or substitutions a team gets, see the volleyball rules Q&A.
All Volleyball Terms.
Libero
The libero is a specialized back-row defensive player whose uniform's dominant colour differs from the rest of the team (FIVB Rule 19.2).
FIVB Rule 19
Rotation
Rotation is the clockwise movement of all six players one position when a team wins back the serve (sideout).
FIVB Rule 7.6
Sideout
A sideout occurs when the receiving team wins the rally and gains the right to serve.
FIVB Rule 6.1.3.2; FIVB Rule 7.6.2
Overlap
An overlap fault, or positional fault, occurs when a player is out of their correct rotational position as the ball is hit by the server.
FIVB Rule 7.4; FIVB Rule 7.5
Rally Scoring
Rally scoring is the scoring system used in all levels of modern volleyball.
FIVB Rule 6.1.3; FIVB Rule 6.2
Lift
A lift (also called a carry or held ball) is an illegal contact where the ball comes to rest, is caught, or is thrown rather than cleanly struck.
FIVB Rule 9.2.2
Double Contact (Double Hit)
A double contact is when a player hits the ball twice in succession or the ball touches various body parts in succession (FIVB Rule 9.3.4).
FIVB Rule 9.1.1; FIVB Rule 9.2.3; FIVB Rule 9.3.4
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.
FIVB Rule 14
Dig
A dig is a defensive contact that keeps a hard-driven attack off the floor. It is normally played with a forearm pass, or bump.
FIVB Rule 9.2 (characteristics of the hit)
Setter
The setter is the primary ball-distributing player on a team, responsible for the second contact in most offensive plays.
FIVB Rule 13 (attack hit)
Libero Replacement Zone
The libero replacement zone is the part of the free zone on the team-bench side, between the extension of the attack line and the end line.
FIVB Rule 1.4.4; 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.
FIVB Rule 7.7
Overlap Fault (Positional Fault)
An overlap fault is committed when receiving-team players are out of their correct rotational position as the server hits the ball.
FIVB Rule 7.4; FIVB Rule 7.5.4
Back-Row Attack
A back-row attack fault occurs when a back-row player attacks a ball entirely above the net after taking off at or in front of the attack line.
FIVB Rule 13.2.2; FIVB Rule 13.3.3
Service Zone
The service zone is the area behind the end line from which the server must hit the ball.
FIVB Rule 1.4.2; FIVB Rule 12.4.3
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.
FIVB Rule 1.3.4; FIVB Rule 1.4.1
Free Zone
The free zone is the area outside the playing court boundaries within which players may move and complete actions.
FIVB Rule 1.1
Antenna
The antenna is a flexible fiberglass rod, 1.8 meters long and 10 mm in diameter, fastened at the outer edge of each side band of the net.
FIVB Rule 2.4
Float Serve
A float serve is struck without spin, so the ball travels on an unpredictable, knuckleball-like path.
FIVB Rule 12
Jump Serve (Topspin Serve)
A jump serve, also called a topspin serve, is an aggressive serve hit with a full arm swing after an approach and jump.
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.
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.
FIVB Rule 13
Quick Set (1-Set)
A quick set is delivered to a hitter who is already in the air as the setter contacts the ball.
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.
FIVB Rule 13.2.2
Slide Attack
A slide attack is a one-foot takeoff attack hit while running laterally behind the setter.
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.
FIVB Rule 9.2.2; FIVB Rule 13.1.2
Pancake
A pancake is an emergency defensive play in which a player slides a flat hand along the floor. The ball contacts the back of the hand instead of the floor.
FIVB Rule 9.2.1
Seam
The seam is the area between two defensive players. A serve or attack aimed there exploits the uncertainty over which player is responsible for the ball.
FIVB Rule 12 (service) / Rule 13 (attack)
Overpass
An overpass occurs when a team accidentally sends the ball over the net on its first or second contact instead of setting up an organized attack.
FIVB Rule 10.1.1; FIVB Rule 8.3; FIVB Rule 8.4
Joust
A joust occurs when two opposing players contact the ball at the same moment above the net.
FIVB Rule 9.1.2.2; FIVB Rule 9.1.2.3
Shank
A shank is a badly misdirected pass or dig. Off-center contact with the forearms sends the ball out of the system or into the stands.
FIVB Rule 9.2.2; FIVB Rule 9.2.3.2
Tool (Using the Block)
Tooling the block is an attack hit deliberately into the blocker's hands so the ball deflects out of bounds. It is also called using the block, or wiping.
FIVB Rule 14.6.4
Wipe (Wiping off the Block)
Wiping off the block is the same technique as tooling the block. The attacker deflects the ball off the blocker's hands and out of bounds to win the point.
FIVB Rule 14.6.4; FIVB Rule 8.4
Roof (Stuff Block)
A roof is a dominant stuff block driven straight down into the attacker's court for an immediate point. The blocker's hands are positioned above the ball.
FIVB Rule 14.1.1; FIVB Rule 6.1.1.1
Swing Blocking
Swing blocking is a technique in which the blocker swings both arms horizontally inward while jumping.
FIVB Rule 14.3
Rally
Per FIVB Rule 6.1.3, a rally is the sequence of playing actions from the moment of the service hit until the ball is out of play.
FIVB Rule 6.1.3
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.
FIVB Rule 9 (contact)
Passing Lanes
Passing lanes are the designated court areas assigned to each passer in serve-receive formation.
FIVB Rule 9 (contact)
5-1 Rotation (Offensive System)
The 5-1 is an offensive system using one designated setter and five attackers.
FIVB Rules 7.4-7.6 (positions, positional fault, rotation)
6-2 Rotation (Offensive System)
The 6-2 offensive system uses two setters and six potential attackers.
FIVB Rules 7.4-7.6 (positions, positional fault, rotation)
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.
FIVB Rules 7.4-7.6 (positions, positional fault, rotation)
Read Blocking
Read blocking is a technique in which the blocker waits to see where the set is going before jumping. It is also called reading, or soft blocking.
FIVB Rule 14 (blocking)
Commit Blocking
Commit blocking is a technique in which the blocker jumps with a specific hitter before the setter makes contact.
FIVB Rule 14 (blocking)
Net Violation (Net Fault)
A net violation occurs when a player contacts the net between the antennae, including the top band, during the action of playing the ball.
FIVB Rule 11.3; FIVB Rule 11.4.4
Centerline Violation (Crossing Line Fault)
A centerline violation occurs when a player's foot crosses completely into the opponent's court (FIVB Rule 11.4.3).
FIVB Rule 11.2.2; FIVB Rule 11.4.3
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.
FIVB Rule 14.3
Screening
Screening is an illegal action in which the serving team obstructs the opponents' view of the server or the ball.
FIVB Rule 12.5
Approach
The approach is the footwork sequence a hitter uses to generate momentum before jumping to attack.
FIVB Rule 13 (attack hit)
Arm Swing
The arm swing is the motion used to generate power and control when attacking the ball.
FIVB Rule 9.2.1
Transition
Transition is the shift from one phase of play to another, most often from defense back to offense.
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.
FIVB Rule 13 (attack hit)
Help Side
The help-side blocker is the blocker who moves across to join the primary blocker.
FIVB Rule 14.1.1
Ball Handling
Ball handling is a player's ability to contact the ball cleanly and control it. It covers setting, passing, and other non-attack contacts.
FIVB Rule 9.2.2; FIVB Rule 9.3.4
Beach Volleyball
Beach volleyball is a variant of volleyball played 2 versus 2 on a sand court, contested at the Olympic Games and on the FIVB Beach Pro Tour.
FIVB Beach Volleyball Rules
Snow Volleyball
Snow volleyball is a variant of volleyball played on a rectangular snow court instead of an indoor hardwood court or outdoor sand court.
FIVB Snow Volleyball Rules