Tiguelo, John Vincent Z.

PE04
CED-03-401P 05/12/21
Research the following:
1. Basic Skills in Volleyball.
a. Contact of the Ball
b. Spiking and Blocking
2. Technical Terminologies

1. BASIC SKILLS IN VOLLEYBALL

The six basic volleyball skills are passing, setting, spiking, blocking, digging, and
serving.
Passing is often thought of as the most important skill in volleyball. If you can't
pass the serve, then you won't ever put your team in a position to score a point.
The importance of serving is often undervalued. Many coaches don't teach
players to serve aggressive and use this opportunity to give the team an advantage for
scoring points.
A spike starts with a three step or four step approach a player uses to jump off the
ground to contact the ball with an arm-swing while it is in the air.
Blocking is perhaps the least taught skill in volleyball. Players can get away with
poor blocking skills because not blocking isn't going to hurt the team as much as being
poor at executing other skills in volleyball.
Digging is another skill that isn't focused on quite as much as most skills in
volleyball.
The setter position is the most important position in volleyball. The setter basically runs
the team offense.

a. Contact of the ball - It is legal to contact the ball with any part of the body if the
ball rebounds immediately. It may not "lay" against the body or forcefully kicked.
If a player touches the ball or the ball touches a player, it is considered as a play
on the ball. Except in the following case: A ball touching the body more than once
in succession is legal when played off a hard-driven spiked ball or blocked and
played again by the blocker. If 2 players on the same team contact the ball
simultaneously, it counts as one contact, and any player may play the ball. One
may play the ball twice during a volley, but not twice in succession, unless played
directly off a block. When a ball touches a boundary line, it is considered in play.

b. Spiking and Blocking - The receiving team is not allowed to block or spike a
served ball. A spiker must contact the ball on his/her own side of the net, but may
in the course of the follow through reach over (but not touch) the net. Back line
players while inside the attack zone (10 feet from the net) may not play the ball
directly into the opposite court if contact is made when any part of the ball is above
 the top of the net. The team that has affected the block shall have the right to three
more contacts, with the blocker having the right to make the first of the three
allowable hits.

2. TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGIES

Pass
The first contact after a serve is considered a “pass”. The player who passes the ball is
called the “passer”. Usually a pass is made with a player’s forearms but can also be made
overhead with two open hands.

Set
The second contact (after a pass or dig) is considered a “set”. The player who sets is
called the “setter”. Usually a set is made with two hands overhead. A bump set is made
with a player’s forearms. A player can also set the ball over the net on the first, second or
third contact with the same motion.

Hit/attack/spike
Typically the third contact when a player uses one open hand and swings at the ball to
send it over the net is called a “hit/attack/spike”. The player who hits the ball is called the
“hitter/attacker/spiker”. These three terms are used interchangeable. The whole hand is
loosely cupped in the shape of the ball and the entire hand (palm and fingers) should
contact the ball. In some situations a player may choose to attack on the second contact
instead of the third.

Serve
The first contact that starts every rally is called a “serve”. The player who serves is called
the “server”. Usually a server uses one, open hand to swing overhead and send the ball
over the net from behind the end line. Less experienced players may serve underhand
with one closed fist. Sometimes younger age groups are allowed to serve from within the
court so be sure to check local league rules. There are 3 main types of serves that are
defined below.

Dig
The first contact made after an attacker from the other team sends the ball over to the
defensive team is said to be a “dig”. Digs can be made with the forearms, open or closed
hands or any other part of the body. The first contact made after an attacker from the
other team sends the ball over to the defensive team is said to be a “dig”. Digs can be
made with the forearms, open or closed hands or any other part of the body.

Block
This move/contact is made by a player at the net to prevent the ball from coming over
when an opposing player is sending the ball over the net. This move is made with two
extended arms with open hands above their head. This contact does not count as one of
the three contacts a team is allowed to make. The same player that blocks the ball may
contact the ball again as the first of their team’s three contacts. When two players block
at the same time it is called a “double block”. When three players block at the same time
it is called a “triple block”.

Stuff Block
When a defensive team stops the ball from crossing the net as an opposing player tries
to send it over. The ball then falls back to the floor in side the court on the side of the team
that was attempting to hit it over.

Tool
The ball is deflected by a blocker but falls to the floor either outside the court on either
side or onto the court on the same side as the blocker. This earns a point for the attacker’s
team.

Joust
When players from opposing teams play the ball simultaneously, it is called a “joust”.

Cover
The attack is blocked back onto the attacker’s side but a member of the same team digs
the ball and the rally continues. A textbook rally
would follow this pattern of contacts: Serve, pass, set, hit, dig, set, hit, dig, etc. with the
possibility of having a stuff block, covered block or deflection as well.
Platform
Refers to the forearms when they are put together by holding both hands together to
create one larger surface for the ball to bounce off of.

Sprawl/Dive
When a player lands on the floor with their body in an attempt to save the ball with their
arm or arms before it hits the floor it is called a “sprawl” or “dive”. This is considered an
emergency move.

Pancake
When a player lands on the floor with their body in an attempt to save the ball with one
open hand on the floor to allow the ball to bounce off of it is called a “pancake”. This is
considered an emergency move.

Free Ball
When a team sends the ball over the net to their opponents with their forearms they are
said to be giving a “free ball”. Considered an easier play for the defensive team.

Down Ball
When a player who is standing on the floor and swinging with an open hand to hit the ball
over the net, it is usually called a “down ball”. Traditionally a “down ball” means the
blockers at the net should not jump and instead stay down on the floor when an opposing
player is sending the ball over the net.

Roll Shot
When a player slows down the speed of their arm swing while attacking to send the ball
shorter in the court and in front of the defenders, it is called a “roll shot”. The arm still
makes the same motion as a full speed attack and the whole hand makes contact with
the ball.

Dump
When a setter sends the ball over the net on their team’s second contact instead of setting
a player on their own team to hit it over the net it is called a “dump” or “setter attack”. A
setter can do so tipping or hitting the ball over with one open hand or setting it over with
two open hands. They may do so while standing on the floor or jumping in the air.

Tip
When a player uses one open hand to send the ball over the net it is called a “tip”. The
player uses the pads of their fingers to contact the ball and control the direction it is sent.
Tips are usually sent short in the court but can also be sent deep. A tip is in contrast to
swinging the arm to hit the ball over the net.

Float Serve
A serve in which the ball does not spin is considered a “float serve”. This serve often
changes direction and floats in unexpected trajectories.

Jump Serve
A serve in which the server approaches and jumps to hit the ball while in the air to send
the ball over the net with spin with the top of the ball rotating down towards the floor from
the passers perspective. This serve is also referred to as a “Spike serve”.

Float Serve Serve

A serve in which the server approaches and jumps to hit the ball while in the air to send
the ball over the net with no spin is called a “jump float serve”.

Ace
A serve that is un-returnable in which it either hits the floor or a controlled second contact
cannot be made off of the pass. This type of pass is often called a “shank”. An ace results
in a point for the serving team.

Under-Hand Serve
A serve that is sent over by keeping the serving arm down and hitting the stationary ball
in the opposite hand with a fist. This serve is often taught to beginner players.

Over Pass
The pass by the team receiving the serve that is sent immediately back over the net to
the serving team on accident is called an “overpass”.

Rally
While the ball is in play it is said to be a “rally”.
Side-out
When a team is on serve receive and wins the rally, it is called a “side-out”.

Approach
The footwork an attacker uses to time the set, gain momentum and jump before
contacting the ball to hit it over the net is called an “approach”.

Arm Swing
The movement a hitter or server’s arm makes to generate force before contacting the
ball.

Hitting Error
When a player hits the ball either into the net or the antenna, or outside of the court or
antenna it is called an “attack/hitting error”.

Kill
An attack that is un-returnable in which it either hits the floor or a controlled second
contact cannot be made off of the dig. This type of dig is often called a “shank”. A kill
results in a point for the attacking team.

Sideline
The two lines that run the length of the court are called “sidelines”. They are a total of 60
feet long and line up with the antennas that designate the side boundaries of the court. A
server must serve from between these lines.

End Line
The two lines that run the width of the court are called “end lines”. They are each 30 ft
long and designate the end boundary of the court. At most levels, a server must contact
the ball with out stepping on this line to serve.

Center Line
The line that runs the width of the court under the net is called the “center line”. This line
is also 30 ft long and designates the floor boundary between the two teams. Be sure to
inquire locally regarding this line as rules regarding crossing or stepping on this line can
vary.

10 ft (3m) line
The line that runs the width of the court 10 ft from the net is called the “10 ft line”. This
line designates the boundary for jumping to attack for back-row players as well as the
boundary for Liberos setting overhead to an attacker.

Antenna/pin
The thin, red and white striped poles that is attached to both sides of the net at the
sidelines are called the “antennas”. These designate a vertical boundary of play that
extends up to the ceiling of the gym. The ball is considered out if it touches the antenna
or the net between the antenna and the pole as well as if the ball travels across the net
over or outside of the antenna.

Poles
The metal structures used to hold and tighten the net are called “poles”. There are many
different companies that manufacture net systems and different types of poles. There
should always be a pad around the poles for players’ safety. In most leagues, it is legal
for players to run past a pole to play a ball but the ball must travel back to their side
outside of the antenna and then sub sequentially played to the opposing team between
the antennas.

Tight
When the ball is sent close to the net (approximately 0-2 feet) it is said to be “tight”.

Off
When the ball is sent away from the net (more than 5 feet or so), it is said to be “off”.

Inside
When the ball is sent more than 5 feet inside of the sidelines, it is said to be “inside”.

Outside
When the ball is sent outside of the sidelines, it is said to be “outside”.

Short
When the ball is sent over the net in front of a player, it is said to be “short”.

Deep
When the ball is sent over the net behind a player, it is said to be “deep”.

Line
When the ball travels down the same sideline from one team to the other it is said to be
hit down the “line”. This term can also be used to designate the defender that is near the
same line the attacker is closest to. They are said to be the “line defender”.

Crosscourt/Angle
When the ball travels from one sideline to the other from one team to the opposing team
it is said to be hit “crosscourt/angle”. This term can also be used to designate the defender
that is near the opposite line the attacker is closest to. They are said to be the
“crosscourt/angle defender”.

Let Serve
When the serve hits the net and continues over to the receiving team, it is a live ball and
called a “let serve”.

Press/Penetrate
The movement a blocker should make with their hands so that they are over on the
opponents side of the net. This creates an angle that the attack will reflect off of and land
back on the attacker’s side of the court.

Call the Ball

Communication is key in this team sport. Players should make an early call to indicate
they will play it. Common phrases used are “I go” or “mine”. Players should also call
names of players and sets during play as well as other useful information like “short”,
“deep”, “inside”, etc.

Substitution
When one player is replaced by another during a game, this is called a “substitution”.
Depending on the league, the number of substitutions is limited per game. Once a player
on the bench crosses in front of the 10 ft line, they have entered the substitution zone and
must be subbed in. Players are to wait, one inside the court and one outside the court, in
front of the 10 ft line until signaled by the bookkeeper to switch.

Rotation Home
As a team rotates so that each player serves once in the same order as the original line-
up, the player’s “rotation home” changes. Each player will sequentially play in all 6
“rotational home” positions. If a player begins the game as right back, there rotational
home will be “right-back” until they rotate and then their “rotational home” will then be
“middle-back”, then “left-back”, then “left-front”, then “middle-front”, then “right-front”, then
“right-back” again and so on and so forth.

Base Defense
The defensive spot on the floor that a player stands at and then possibly moves from
depending on who is set on the opposing team is called “base defense”. Coaches
determine the “base defense” they want their players to use based on the defensive
strategy they want to use. This decision should be based on the opponent’s tendencies
and the abilities of the defensive team.

Serve Receive
When a team is being served at, they are said to be on “serve receive”. Players are
required to remain in their rotation home before the serve until the server contacts the
ball. This requires teams to create serve receive formations to account for this rule and
still put players in the best possible place to play the serve and run an offense. Specific
details for serve receive formations are described in a subsequent section.

Game/Set
Depending on the league or tournament, a “game” or “set” is to a predetermined amount
of points. Games must be won by two points unless a predetermined point cap is in place.
Typically games are to 25 points unless teams are tied in number of games won and are
breaking the tie in the final game. That tie-breaker game is typically to 15 points.

Match
A match is a predetermined number of games, often best or 3 or 5 games.

Time-Out
A coach, player or referee can call a stoppage in play for a variety of reasons. The
stoppage is referred to as a “time-out”. They are often 60 seconds in length unless it is
an injury timeout.

Libero Entry
A libero does not enter as a sub does. Instead, the player may enter for any back-row
player at any time by crossing into the court through the sideline behind the 10 ft line while
the other player exits the court the same way but not necessarily at the exact same time.

Line-up Sheet
the official sheet used by a coach to enter their line-up for each game. Usually there will
be a rectangle with 6 boxes to enter the 6 starting players and an additional, detached
one for the libero’s number. The roman numerals in each box designate the position in
which each player will begin and the order in which they will serve.

SOURCES:
www.goldmedalsquared.com/coaching-resources/volleyball-terms
recsports.msu.edu/imsports/activityrules/volleyball
www.strength-and-power-for-volleyball.com/basic-volleyball-skills