Volleyball Terms Chapter

So in the next chapter (maybe two), there is going to be a lot of volleyball involved so this chapter is to help non-volleyball players visualize the game better. I will do my best to describe it, but I will also insert links for pictures and videos that will explain what I'm saying better.

Basic Rules ( stock-photo-volleyball-court-image-positions-players-image44943113)

a. each team has 6 people on the court. these 6 spots are typically broken into 3 and 3 (3 back row and 3 front row). you can be in any position horizontally, but you can not switch back row and front row.

b. each team gets a maximum of 3 touches. the same person can not touch the ball twice in a row with the exception of touches off a front row block.

c. volleyball court set up: the numbers on the left represent spots. ex: "serve at spot 6." you rotate the court counter clockwise (meaning if you were just in 6, then in the next rotation your base would be 5). on the right, you see the abbreviation of the position in a specific spot. this is where you want to be. ( pin/499829258626518728/) here is a picture of what should actually be happening. I know it looks really confusing, but sometimes it's easier to see it. for every position, you have an opposite (the person that mirrors you/diagonal from you). this player typically plays a similar, if not exactly, the same position (there are exceptions that will be described in detail later). ( watch?v=gHE5pun0kqg) here is a link to a youtube video. I know it's long, but this really explains the rotations that the team in this story will be running.

d. call the ball! always say "mine!" when you are going for a ball, or else things will not end well (said from personal experience).

Skills

1. Passing (pin/324611085623525072/)

the most basic skill in volleyball. typically the first touch for each side. there is also overhand passing which is very similar to setting only it's more of a pop rather than soft and fluid. digging comes right from passing. a dig is where the other team hits the ball really hard and someone gets it up. I'm also going to put free-ball under here. that is when instead of an attack, you basically pass it over the net. it's called a free-ball since it is the easiest "attack."

2. Setting ( sports/wvball/2017-18/releases/20171020xdasuq)

typically the second contact of the game. usually done by a designated setter, but if the setter can not get to it, the team either assigns another person to go get it (typically the libero), or by the person closest to the ball. it is best if done with the hands like in to picture for better timing and control, but is sometimes done with a fore-arm pass if necessary. ( pin/AbhW1gPicGaDavPusSbL4ajgAriMHOuF5MuvmN0mcNBKKpLhFy6thXI/) this is my favorite chart to use for setting zones. just note that the "B1" and "B2" I might accidentally put "71" and "72" since that's what I'm used to calling it.

3. Attacking ( pin/540854236475959039/)

there are different types of attacks. the one most people are familiar with is a hit. that is where you take a full arm swing at the ball. second is a roll shot. this is where you go up for a hit, but you slow down the arm swing to where the ball "rolls" past the block typically right over the block or to the very center of the court. next is a tip. when you go up, you essentially cup the ball with your fingers and guide it where you want it to go. a push is very similar to a set. this is where you use both hands to push the ball over the net typically into a deep corner. if you are back row and are jumping to attack the ball, you must take off behind the 10ft/3m line. it is illegal to jump in front of it if you are back row unless your hand is below the plane of the net.

4. Serving

there are 2 basic types of serve. a float is when the ball is served over the net, but the ball tends to drift/shake while it is coming over the net. difficult to receive because even if it looks like it's coming to your right, it could very easily move to your left (with this one, imagine a small child driving a go-cart). second is a top-spin. this is where the ball literally nose dives onto the opposite side of the court. difficult to receive because it typically comes in fast. can sometimes drift depending on the angle of the spin.

Positions

1. Outside/Right-Side Hitter

Main Purpose: attacking the ball, blocking, picking up tips in front of the 10ft/3m line

can play front and/or back row. outside hitters are sometimes replaced by DS (defensive specialists) to play back row if they do not play themselves. right sides are sometimes replaced with a setter or a DS to play back row if they do not play themselves. just fyi, an outside (left-side) is typically right handed while a right-side is typically left handed. it really doesn't matter, but that's just some extra info.

2. Middle Blocker

Main Purpose: to block the opponent's attack, attacking at times

typically only plays front row because they are typically the tallest on the team and can not hit the floor fast enough for back row.

3. Setter

Main Purpose: to set up the ball for a hitter to attack.

can be front and/or back row (Marinette plays both back and front). typically, a team likes having 2 setters so that they can keep them back row because it keeps 3 hitters in the front row. when the setter is back row, they can not jump with their hands above the plane of the net to dump the ball over the net.

4. Defensive Specialist (DS)

Main Purpose: passing, digging, picking up tips.

can play in any of the back row positions, but normally will be in middle or left back. must use a substitution.

5. Libero (where are my libero homies at?!)

Main Purpose: passing, digging, picking up tips.

similar to a DS, but has slightly different rules. this person wears a different jersey from the rest of the team. a libero can only play back row. they usually go on for both middles, and can serve for one of them. they can go in at any time for anyone back row (again, typically for middles). a libero usually sets the ball if the setter can not get to it. they can use their hands, but if they do it in front of the 10ft/3m line, then the attacker can not jump.

Misc Terms

I'm just going to list these terms because I probably won't use them much, they're easy to look up, and they're pretty self explanatory.

Lift, pancake, double, seams, line, cross, dive.

I think that's everything. If I've missed something, or you need something further explained just let me know.