Final Exam: Volleyball Terms

Question 1

A serve that results directly in a point, usually when the ball hits the floor untouched on the receiving team’s side of the court.

Answer 1

Ace

Question 2

Helping a teammate set up for a kill.

Answer 2

Assist

Question 3

The offensive action of hitting the ball.

Answer 3

Attack

Question 4

Also “hitter” and “spiker.” A player who attempts to hit a ball offensively with the purpose of terminating play.

Answer 4

Attacker

Question 5

The defensive team’s attempt to block a spiked ball.

Answer 5

Attack Block

Question 6

An attack botched in one of 5 ways: ball lands out of bounds; ball goes into net; attacker commits center line or net violation or attacker illegally contacts ball.

Answer 6

Attack Error

Question 7

A line 3 meters/10 feet away from, and parallel to, the net. Separates the front-row players from the back-row players. A back-row player cannot legally attack the ball above the net unless he takes off from behind this line.

Answer 7

Attack Line

Question 8

Space from baseline (endline) to attack line. There are 3 players whose court positions are in this area (positions 1, 6 & 5 on court)

Answer 8

Back row/court

Question 9

When a back-row player takes off from behind the attack line (10-foot/3-meter) line and attacks the ball. Various terms A-B-C-D-PIPE-BIC.

Answer 9

Back Row Attack

Question 10

Set delivered behind the setter.

Answer 10

Back Set

Question 11

The back boundary of the court. Also called the end line

Answer 11

Baseline

Question 12

One of the 6 basic skills. A defensive play by one or more front-row players meant to intercept a spiked ball. The combination of one, 2 or 3 players jumping in front of the opposing spiker and contacting the spiked ball with the hands.

Answer 12

Block

Question 13

Touching the net, crossing the centerline, blocking a set or serve or any other “local” violation that occurs while making a block attempt.

Answer 13

Blocking Error

Question 14

The boundary that runs under the net and divides the court into two equal halves.

Answer 14

Center Line

Question 15

The responsibility of the assisting blocker(s) to angle their body relative to the first blocker.

Answer 15

Closing the block

Question 16

Refers to the hitter having his/her teammates ready to retrieve rebounds from the opposing blockers.

Answer 16

Cover

Question 17

An attack directed diagonally from the point of attack. Also called an angle hit.

Answer 17

Cross-Court Attack

Question 18

A spike from the hitter’s strong side that travels at a sharp angle across the net.

Answer 18

Cut Short

Question 19

Refers to sending the ball away from the net, toward the baseline of the opponent’s court.

Answer 19

Deep

Question 20

One of the 6 basic skills. The key skills used to receive the opponent’s attack are digging and sprawling. The dig resembles a forearm pass from a low ready position and is used more for balls that are hit near the defender. The sprawl is a result of an attempted dig for a ball hit farther away from the defender. It resembles a dive.

Answer 20

Defense

Question 21

Passing a spiked or rapidly hit ball and low to ground. Defensive play. Slang for retrieving an attacked ball close to the floor. Statistically scored on a 3.0 point system.

Answer 21

Dig

Question 22

A one-handed, soft hit into the opponent’s court using the fingertips. Also called a tip.

Answer 22

Dink

Question 23

Two players working in unison to intercept a ball at the net.

Answer 23

Double Block

Question 24

Violation. Two successive hits by the same player.

Answer 24

Double Hit

Question 25

Type of attack. “Down” refers to the blockers who neither jump, nor raise their hands above the net.

Answer 25

Down Ball

Question 26

Usually performed by the setter, who delivers the ball into the opponent’s court on the second contact.

Answer 26

Dump