VOLLEYBALL

INDEX

SR. NO. TOPIC PAGE NO.

1 BRIEF HISTORY AND FIVB

2 COURT DIAGRAM WITH DIMENSIONS

3 SURFACE AND EQUIPMENTS

4 THREE BALL SYSTEM

5 ZONES AND PATTERN

6 PLAYING PATTERN

7 TEAM COMPOSITION

8 PLAYING POSITION AND ROTATION

9 LIBERO

10 FOULS

11 SCORING

12 SUBSTITUTION AND TIMEOUTS

13 TERMS USED IN THE GAME

14 INTERRUPTION AND DELAYS

15 TEAM CAPTAIN AND COACH

16 OFFICIALS-DUTIES AND CARDS

17 OFFICIAL HAND SIGNALS

18 FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS
 BRIEF HISTORY

In the winter of 1895, in Holyoke, Massachusetts (United States), William G. Morgan,

a YMCA physical education director, created a new game called Mintonette, a name
derived from the game of badminton, as a pastime to be played (preferably) indoors
and by any number of players. The game took some of its characteristics from other
sports such as tennis and handball. Another indoor sport, basketball, was catching
on in the area, having been invented
just ten miles (sixteen kilometres) away in the city of Springfield, Massachusetts,
only four years before. Mintonette was designed to be an indoor sport, less rough
than basketball, for older members of the YMCA, while still requiring a bit of athletic
effort.
The first rules, written down by William G Morgan, called for a net 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
high, a 25 ft × 50 ft (7.6 m × 15.2 m) court, and any number of players. A match was
composed of nine innings with three serves for each team in each inning, and no
limit to the number of ball contacts for each team before sending the ball to the
opponents' court. In case of a serving error, a second try was allowed. Hitting the ball
into the nett was considered a foul (with loss of the point or a side-out)—except in
the case of the first-try serve.
After an observer, Alfred Halstead, noticed the volleying nature of the game at its
first exhibition match in 1896, played at the International YMCA Training School (now
called Springfield College), the game quickly became known as volleyball (it was
originally spelled as two words: "volley ball"). Volleyball rules were slightly modified
by the International YMCA Training School and the game spread around the country
to various YMCAs.
 FIVB

The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (English: International Volleyball

Federation), commonly known by the acronym FIVB, is the international governing
body for all forms of volleyball.[1] Its headquarters are located
in Lausanne, Switzerland and its current president is Brazilian Ary Graça.
The FIVB was founded in France in April 1947. In the late 1940s, some of the
European national federations began to address the issue of creating an
international governing body for the sport of volleyball. Initial discussions eventually
lead to the installation of a Constitutive Congress in 1947. Fourteen national
federations representing five different continents attended the meetings where,
between 18 and 20 April, the entity was officially formed, having Frenchman Paul
Libaud as first president.
One of the main goals of the 1947 Congress was achieved two years later with the
establishment of the first international major volleyball event, the World
Championship. In 1952, a women's version of the tournament was also introduced.
In 1964, the IOC endorsed the addition of volleyball to the Olympic programme. By
this time, the number of national federations affiliated to the FIVB had grown to 89.
Later in that year (1969), a new international event, the World Cup was introduced. It
would be turned into a qualifying event for the Olympic Games in 1991.
Following Libaud's retirement and the election of Mexican Rubén Acosta Hernandez
for the position of president in 1984, the FIVB moved its headquarters
from Paris, France to Lausanne, Switzerland and intensified to an unprecedented
level its policy of promoting volleyball on a worldwide basis. Measures taken in this
direction include the establishment of annual competitions for men's and women's
volleyball (the World League, in 1990, and the Grand Prix, in 1993), the indication
of Beach volleyball as an Olympic event (1996) and a number of changes in the
rules of the game with the purpose of enhancing public visibility.
On 19 June 2008, Wei Jizhong of China, who during this period served as the 1st
Vice president took over during the 31st World Congress in Dubai when Dr. Rubén
Acosta decided to step down. Mr. Jizhong Wei became the third president in the
history of the FIVB. The handover of the presidency took place on 24 August 2008
in Beijing.
As of 2015, the FIVB counted 221 affiliated national federations.
Court Diagram with Dimensions
 Surface and Equipment’s
 Surface-

The playing surface is flat and a light colour. For FIVB, world and official
competitions, only a wooden or synthetic surface is allowed.

White colours are required for the lines. Other different colours are required for the
playing court and free zone
 Equipment’s-
1. The Ball-
The standard volleyball is made of leather or synthetic leather, weighs between 9
and 10 ounces and has a circumference of 25.6 to 26.4 inches. The ball has a
rubber bladder and can be one color or a combination of colors. Synthetic leather is
lighter and is fine for beginner players. Junior volleyballs for children 12 years old
and younger weigh between 7 and 8 ounces.
2. The Net and Court-
The outdoor volleyball court measures 18 x 9 m, surrounded by a free zone that is 2
meters wide on all sides. The minimum playing space for U.S. volleyball
competitions is 7 meters. The volleyball net is 32 feet long by 3 feet wide. For
women, the net should be 7 feet, 4 1/8 inches high. For men, the net should be 7
feet, 11 5/8 inches high. U.S. regulation volleyball playing surfaces must be flat and
not present any hazards to the players.
3. Lines-
The playing court is marked by two sidelines and two end lines. All lines must be 2
inches wide and must be created with a light color that is easy to discern from the
playing court. An attack line should be placed three meters from the center line. The
center line divides the court into two 9 x 9 meter courts.
4. Posts and Cables-
The volleyball net structure is held together with metal cables and posts. Posts are
placed 0.5 to 1.0 meter outside the sidelines and 2.55 meters high. Posts should be
round, smooth and padded, to prevent injury to the players should they dive or crash
into them. Metal wires and cables may need to be covered if it is determined that
they present a danger to the players.
5. Antenna and Side Bands-
Antenna are flexible rods that are 1.8 meters long made of fiberglass, fastened at the
outer edge of each side band. placed above each sideline.Side bands are two white
bands attached vertically to the net and
 Three Ball System

For FIVB World and Official Competitions three balls shall be used. In this case six
ball retrievers are stationed one at each corner of the free zone and one behind each
referee
 Zones and Pattern

 Front zone -
On each court the front zone is the area between the centre line and the
attack line .The front zone is considered to extend beyond the sidelines to to
the end of the free zone. Only front row players may jump and attack a ball in
the front zone
 Service zone -
This is the area of the court that the server serves from .This area is located behind
each end line at the right hand side corner of the court. It is laterally limited by 2
short lines each of 0.15 m long drawn 0.20 m behind the end line as an extension of
the sidelines .Both short lines are included in the width of the service zone.
 Substitution zone -
The substitution zone is limited by the extension of both attack lines up to scorer’s
table. Once the player enters the substitution zone he/she become an eligible
substitution
 Libero replacement zone -
The libero replacement zone is the part of the free zone on the side of the team
benches, limited by the extension of the attack line up to the end line. A libero must
enter the game within the limitation of the libero replacement zone.
The zones begin in right back, or Zone 1. The zones move counter clockwise, so the
zone to the right front, or right-side hitter, is Zone 2. Zone 3 is in the centre where the
middle blocker/hitter is and Zone 4 is where the outside hitter is. Zone 5 is left back
where a defensive specialist or a setter is, depending on the play being run, and
Zone 6 is middle back, where the libero is or defensive specialist is.

 Serve a Volleyball Zone 1-

Serving zone 1 is really effective at ages 13 and under. It’s effective especially at the
younger ages because the setter has trouble setting the ball to the outside, when the
ball is coming from zone 1.
This is something to watch for when scouting your opponent. Watch how comfortable
the setter is setting a ball coming from zone 1. Often the setter won't turn and face
the outside hitter and they'll likely set middle or right side instead.

 Serve a Volleyball Zone 2-

I like to serve zone 2 for when the opponent wants to run a slide. It’s easier to run a
slide off of a pass coming from zone 4 or 5, so I prefer to serve the left side of the
court if I know for sure the opponent is wanting to run a slide in that particular
rotation.
This is the advantage of scouting your opponent hitters. Most teams have a primary
hitter in each rotation, so if you watch what they like to run in each rotation, you can
develop your serving strategy around what your opponent will most likely try to do.
A great strategy is to take the primary hitter out of system.

 Serve a Volleyball Zone 3-

I like to signal zone 3 to servers that aren’t comfortable with serving to zone 2 or 4,
and I want them to serve short.
Zone 3 is good if you can keep the libero from passing it. If the libero doesn’t pass it
in this situation, it’s very likely that a front row player will, and this will disrupt the
offense.

 Serve a Volleyball Zone 4-

When the outside hitter is in zone 4 and is backed up to pass, this can make it very
difficult for them. First, often the outside hitters are in the game to hit and not pass.
Not only could the outside hitter have trouble passing, but it can be very difficult to
first pass then go approach and hit.
  Serve a Volleyball Zone 5-

Serving zone 5 when the outside hitter is backed up to pass. If you can move them
backwards and make them pass, this will make it difficult for them to get to the net to
hit.
Also, it’s important to mention anytime you make a front row player pass, you’ve
likely taken them out of the offensive play. So, if your blockers are paying attention,
they can see that the front row player that passed the ball is out of the play, and so
now they can just focus on the other two attackers. This can be a big advantage for
getting in position to block.

 Serve a Volleyball Zone 6-

I like to signal zone 6 when I have a server that isn’t comfortable serving. Also, if a
team is just flat out bad at passing deep serves, I’ll likely signal zone 6. Put the ball
within 8 feet of the end line and most teams will have trouble passing.
In volleyball, there are six players on the court for each team. Each player starts in a
specific location, but these locations are not to be confused with player positions-
(setter, middle blocker, outside hitter, opposite or libero). Each player, with the
exception of the libero, will rotate to each location in a clockwise manner before each
serve.

Front row players stand nearer to the net and are responsible for blocking or hitting,
while back row players are positioned in the middle or back of the court and are
responsible for digging or defence. Back row players (with the exception of the
libero) can attack the ball as long as they jump for the attack before the attack line.

Each time a team wins a point or before they start the serve, the serving team
rotates clockwise. If players move out of their locations before the ball is served, they
will be called for overlapping or being out of position. A point is then awarded to the
other team. If the team at fault was serving, the ball will be passed to the opposing
team for service. Players need to be mindful of their locations and make sure they
are in the right place in relation to their teammates.

Player positions are judged by the placement of their feet. Each front row player
must have one foot on the court closer to the net than the feet of the player directly
behind them. Players will rotate locations each time their team makes a serve, with
the player in the RB location typically the server. If the serving team wins the point,
the player who served the ball will do so till they lose a point.
 Playing Pattern

Each team consists of six players. To get play started, a team is chosen to serve by
coin toss. A player from the serving team throws the ball into the air and attempts to
hit the ball so it passes over the net on a course such that it will land in the opposing
team's court (the serve). The opposing team must use a combination of no more
than three contacts with the volleyball to return the ball to the opponent's side of the
net.[16] These contacts usually consist first of the bump or pass so that the ball's
trajectory is aimed towards the player designated as the setter; second of the set
(usually an over-hand pass using wrists to push finger-tips at the ball) by the setter
so that the ball's trajectory is aimed towards a spot where one of the players
designated as an attacker can hit it, and third by the attacker who spikes (jumping,
raising one arm above the head and hitting the ball so it will move quickly down to
the ground on the opponent's court) to return the ball over the net. The team with
possession of the ball that is trying to attack the ball as described is said to be on
offence.

The team on defence attempts to prevent the attacker from directing the ball into
their court: players at the net jump and reach above the top (and if possible, across
the plane) of the net to block the attacked ball. If the ball is hit around, above, or
through the block, the defensive players arranged in the rest of the court attempt to
control the ball with a dig (usually a fore-arm pass of a hard-driven ball). After a
successful dig, the team transitions to offence.

The game continues in this manner, rallying back and forth until the ball touches the
court within the boundaries or until an error is made. The most frequent errors that
are made are either to fail to return the ball over the net within the allowed three
touches, or to cause the ball to land outside the court. A ball is "in" if any part of it
touches the inside of a team's court or a sideline or end-line, and a strong spike may
compress the ball enough when it lands that a ball which at first appears to be going
out may actually be in. Players may travel well outside the court to play a ball that
has gone over a sideline or end-line in the air.

Other common errors include a player touching the ball twice in succession, a player
"catching" the ball, a player touching the net while attempting to play the ball, or a
player penetrating under the net into the opponent's court. There are a large number
of other errors specified in the rules, although most of them are infrequent
occurrences. These errors include back-row or libero players spiking the ball or
blocking (back-row players may spike the ball if they jump from behind the attack
line), players not being in the correct position when the ball is served, attacking the
serve in the frontcourt and above the height of the net, using another player as a
source of support to reach the ball, stepping over the back boundary line when
serving, taking more than 8 seconds to serve,[19] or playing the ball when it is above
the opponent's court.
 Team Composition

For the match there are 12 players out of which 6 players are ready to go into the
court while the other six players sit at the bench ready to be a substitute for the 6
players in the court. There is one coach, one assistant coach, one trainer and one
medical doctor.
Only the players recorded on the score sheet may participate in the match.
Once the coach and the team captain have signed the score sheet the recorded
players cannot be changed.
 Playing pattern & rotation

After a team gains the serve (also known as siding out), its members must rotate in a
clockwise direction, with the player previously in area "2" moving to area "1" and so
on, with the player from area "1" moving to area "6". Each player rotates only one
time after the team gains possession of the serve; the next time each player rotates
will be after the other team wins possession of the ball and loses the point.
The team courts are surrounded by an area called the free zone which is a minimum
of 3 meters wide and which the players may enter and play within after the service of
the ball. All lines denoting the boundaries of the team court and the attack zone are
drawn or painted within the dimensions of the area and are therefore a part of the
court or zone. If a ball comes in contact with the line, the ball is considered to be "in".
An antenna is placed on each side of the net perpendicular to the sideline and is a
vertical extension of the side boundary of the court.
A ball passing over the net must pass completely between the antennae (or their
theoretical extensions to the ceiling) without contacting them.
 Libero

The libero player was introduced internationally in 1998, and made its debut for
NCAA competition in 2002. The libero is a player specialized in defensive skills: the
libero must wear a contrasting jersey colour from their teammates and cannot block
or attack the ball when it is entirely above net height. When the ball is not in play, the
libero can replace any back-row player, without prior notice to the officials. This
replacement does not count against the substitution limit each team is allowed per
set, although the libero may be replaced only by the player whom he or she
replaced. Most U.S. high schools added the libero position from 2003 to 2005.
The modern-day libero often takes on the role of a second setter. When the setter
digs the ball, the libero is typically responsible for the second ball and sets to the
front row attacker. The libero may function as a setter only under certain restrictions.
To make an overhand set, the libero must be standing behind (and not stepping on)
the 3-meter line; otherwise, the ball cannot be attacked above the net in front of the
3-meter line. An underhand pass is allowed from any part of the court.
The libero is, generally, the most skilled defensive player on the team. There is also
a libero tracking sheet, where the referees or officiating team must keep track of
whom the libero subs in and out for. Under FIVB rules, two liberos are designated at
the beginning of the play, only one of whom can be on the court at any time.
Furthermore, a libero is not allowed to serve, according to international rules. NCAA
rules for both men and women differ on this point; a 2004 rule change allows the
libero to serve, but only in a specific rotation. That is, the libero can only serve for
one person, not for all of the people for whom he or she goes in. That rule change
was also applied to high school and junior high play soon after.
 Fouls
A referee, sitting on an elevated platform at the side of the net, governs the match to
ensure fair and safe play. An umpire, standing on the opposite side of the court than
the referee, assists the referee. These officials control the flow of the game, score
points, direct substitutions, and enforce the rules by calling faults. Faults, or errors,
result in one point for the opposition. When stopping play to enforce rules, the
referee will sound the whistle and use hand gestures to signal the call. Common
faults include: contacting the net, lifting the ball, blocking a serve, hitting the ball two
times in a row, stepping over the service line on a serve, reaching over the net
(unless during a block or follow-through of a spike), or reaching under the net.
Additionally, it is a fault when a back-row player spikes or blocks the ball in front of
the attack line. Serious violations result in a yellow card (warning) or red card
(ejection from the game). Other officials include line judges, who assist the referee
by calling the ball out of bounds at the end lines, which is signalled by the use of
hand gestures or flags.
 Scoring

A point is scored when the ball contacts the floor within the court boundaries or when
an error is made: when the ball strikes one team's side of the court, the other team
gains a point; and when an error is made, the team that did not make the error is
awarded a point, in either case paying no regard to whether they served the ball or
not. If any part of the ball hits the line, the ball is counted as in the court. The team
that won the point serves for the next point. If the team that won the point served in
the previous point, the same player serves again. If the team that won the point did
not serve the previous point, the players of the team acquiring the serve rotate their
position on the court in a clockwise manner. The game continues, with the first team
to score 25 points by a two-point margin awarded the set. Matches are best-of-five
sets and the fifth set, if necessary, is usually played to 15 points. (Scoring differs
between leagues, tournaments, and levels; high schools sometimes play best-of-
three to 25; in the NCAA matches are played best-of-five to 25 as of
the 2008 season.)
Before 1999, points could be scored only when a team had the serve (side-out
scoring) and all sets went up to only 15 points. The FIVB changed the rules in 1999
(with the changes being compulsory in 2000) to use the current scoring system
(formerly known as rally point system), primarily to make the length of the match
more predictable and to make the game more spectator- and television-friendly.
The final year of side-out scoring at the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball
Championship was 2000. Rally point scoring debuted in 2001, and games were
played to 30 points through 2007. For the 2008 season, games were renamed "sets"
and reduced to 25 points to win. Most high schools in the U.S. changed to rally
scoring in 2003, and several states implemented it the previous year on an
experimental basis.
 Substitution and Timeouts

 Substitution Limit-

Section 15.6 of the USAV rule book states that each team can make 12 substitutions
per set. The USAV rule book suggests this deviation from the FIVB rules to promote
continuity of play in domestic competition. The FIVB rules dictate that teams can
make only 6 substitutions per set. The USAV domestic competition rules allow teams
to substitute the same player multiple times within a set as long as the teams do not
exceed their 12-substitution limit. Players can only reenter the game in their original
positions within the team's rotation.

The Libero position has existed in volleyball since 1998. Section 19 of the USAV
domestic competition rule book outlines the rules regarding the Libero position. Each
team can designate two Libero players. The Libero player, a defensive specialist,
must remain in the back row throughout the game and cannot serve, attack or block
the ball. Substitutions involving the Libero player do not count toward a team’s
substitution count per set. Teams can substitute the Libero in and out of the game an
unlimited number of times. The Libero can only replace a back row player.

 Substitution Zone-

Players entering or leaving the court during a regular substitution must cross the
sideline between the attack line and the scorer’s table. The Libero player must enter
and leave the court between the attack line and the court’s end line.

 Substitution Timing-

A team can request a substitution at the start of a set or during a time-out. You can
substitute more than one player at a time. The referee must authorize all
substitutions and the scorer must record them. A team can make a Libero
substitution before the start of a set, during a time-out or before the service whistle.

 Timeouts-
Maximum of 2 time outs per game for a team is allowed. Time out lasts 30 seconds.
In official international competitions two 60 seconds technical time-out are used
when the leading team reaches the 8 or 16 point mark.
  Volleyball timeout rules-

1. Each team is allowed to call two timeouts during each game (set).
2. A timeout lasts 30 seconds.
3. A time-out can’t be requested while the ball is in play. When requesting a
time-out, it must be done after a rally has ended and before the whistle has
been blown to allow for the next serve.
4. Pair of hands making a T symbol
5. A timeout is signalled by making a “T” shape using both the hands. One hand
is held up vertically, with the fingers straight, and the other hand is held
horizontally over top of it.
6. When a timeout is called, the six players on the court make their way over to
the bench. They don’t necessarily have to step all the way off the court, but
they should be in the zone near the bench.
7. The 30 seconds start as soon as the ref blows the whistle, so players should
make their way to the bench as quickly as possible, so that they can maximize
their time-out opportunity.
8. Any teammates sitting on the bench can also participate in the timeout
huddle, but they are not supposed to walk onto the court during the timeout.
9. After the 30 seconds has passed, the referee will blow their whistle, signalling
the players back onto the court.
10. Teams are often given a few seconds grace period to get back onto the court,
but this really does depend on the referee. If a team takes too long, the ref
can call a delay warning. If a team gets another delay call in the same match,
the other team will be given a point and the serve.
11. Once a team has used up both their time-outs for the set, the referee gives
them a signal so that they are aware they have no time-outs left. The referee
does this by signalling the usual time-out signal (the T-shape with both
hands), then holding up two fingers.
12. Although this isn’t a rule, make sure that any water or other drinks that have
been spilled during a time-out are wiped up before the game starts again.
You’d be surprised how many times drinks get spilled during a time-out
huddle! Even just a few drops on the gym floor can cause a player to slip
during a play, which can cause an injury.

Make sure to check the floor on the court where players were standing, and also just
outside the court playing area where players were standing during the time-out.
When players are running down a ball, they may run just outside of the playing area,
so it’s important to check this area as well.

 Special Time-Outs-

A referee might call a special time-out if a player has been injured and is bleeding
and there is a risk that other players may be exposed to blood. This special time-out
gives the team 30 seconds to get a bandage to cover the wound. In this scenario,
the time-out would not be assigned to either team (in other words, it wouldn’t count
as one of the two allowed time-outs).
If the player hasn’t sufficiently recovered in the first 30-second timeout, the team has
three options:

1. the injured player needs to be substituted with another player (this can be a
legal or an exceptional substitution)
2. depending on the position, a libero could come in and replace the injured
player
3. the team can call a legal timeout, which gives them another 30 seconds (this
one would count as one of their two allowed time-outs).

A legal substitution means that each position can only have one backup player
assigned to it per game. Once a player has substituted into one position, they can’t
substitute into a different position for the rest of that game. An exceptional
substitution means that any player can be substituted into the game, regardless of if
they’ve already been substituted into a different position during that game. However,
the injured player would then not be allowed to come back into the match. So, what
happens if there isn’t a player that can substitute in for the injured player? Well, the
referee can allow a special 3-minute time-out, which will hopefully give the injured
player enough time to recover and be able to play again. This can only happen once
for a player in a game. If the player hasn’t sufficiently recovered after the 3-minute
special time-out, unfortunately, the team is considered to be incomplete for the
match, which means they don’t have enough players to field a team.

 Technical time-out in volleyball and beach volleyball is a time-out stipulated by

the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) in each non-tie-
breaking set. It is the formalized equivalent of a television timeout in other
sports.
This special mandatory time out is, in addition to time outs, to allow the
promotion of volleyball by analysis of the play and to allow additional
commercial opportunities. Technical Time Outs are mandatory for FIVB
World and Official competitions.

 60-second duration
 two technical time-outs in each of sets 1, 2, 3 and 4 (none in the fifth tie-
breaking set)
 taken when the leading team reaches the 8th and 16th points
 TERMS USED IN THE GAME

 ACE – A serve that is not passable and results immediately

in a point.

ANTENNA – The vertical rods (normally white and red)
mounted near the edges of the net. The antennas are mounted
directly above the side-lines and are not-in-play. Antennas
are not usually used on outdoor nets.

 APPROACH – Fast stride toward the net by a spiker

before he jumps in the air.

 ASSIST – Passing or setting the ball to a teammate

who attacks the ball for a kill. This stat is normally only
logged for high school, college, and National/Olympic team
play.

 ATTACK – The offensive action of hitting the ball.

The attempt by one team to terminate the play by hitting the
ball to the floor on the opponent’s side.

ATTACK BLOCK – Receiving players’ aggressive attempt
to block a spiked ball before it crosses the net.

 ATTACK ERROR – An unsuccessful attack which does one

of the following: 1) the ball lands out of bounds, 2) the
ball goes into the net and terminates play or goes into the
net on the third hit, 3)the ball is blocked by the opposition
for a point or side out, 4) the attacker is called for a centre
line violation, or 5) the attacker is called for illegal contact
(lift, double hit…) on the attack.

ATTACKER

– Also “hitter” or “spiker.” A player who

attempts to hit a ball offensively with the purpose of terminating
play in his or her team’s favour.

ATTACK LINE

– A line 3m from the net that separates

the front row players from the back-row players. Commonly
referred to as the “10-foot line.”
 BACKCOURT – The area from the end line to the attack
line.

BACK SET – A set delivered behind the setter’s back,
which is subsequently hit by an attacker.

BACK ROW ATTACK – When a back row player attacks the
ball by jumping from behind the 3m line before hitting the
ball. If the back row player steps on or past the 3m line
during take-off, the attack is illegal.

BEACH DIG – An open hand receive of the ball, also
called a “Deep Dish”

BLOCK – A defensive play by one or more players meant
to deflect a spiked ball back to the hitter’s court. It may
be a combination of one, two or three players jumping in front
of the opposing spiker and contacting the spiked ball with
the hands.

BUMP – a common term for forearm passing.

BALL HANDLING ERROR – Any time the official calls
a double hit, a thrown ball or a lift (except on a serve reception
or attack). For our purposes, this category also includes
any blocking errors (when an official calls a blocker for
a violation such as going into the net, centerline violation,
reaching over the net, etc.).

BUMP PASS – The use of joined forearms to pass or set a ball in an
underhand manner.

CAMPFIRE – A ball that falls to the floor in an area
that’s surrounded by two, three, four or more players. At
the instant after the ball hits the floor, it appears as if
the players are encircling and staring at a campfire.

CENTER LINE – The boundary that runs directly under
the net and divides the court into two equal halves.

CLOSING THE BLOCK – The responsibility of the assisting
blocker(s) to join the primary blocker and create an impenetrable
block in which a ball cannot fit between the two individual
blockers.

CROSS COURT SHOT – An individual attack directed at
an angle from one end of the offensive team’s side of the
net to the opposite sideline of the defensive team’s court.

CUT SHOT – A spike from the hitter’s strong side that
travels at a sharp angle across the net.

DECOY – An offensive play meant to disguise the spiker
who will receive the set.

DEEP SET – Set to be hit away from the net to confuse
or disrupt the timing of the blockers.

DIG – Passing a spiked or rapidly hit ball. Slang
for the art of passing an attacked ball close to the floor.

DINK – A legal push of the ball around or over blockers.

DOUBLE BLOCK – Two players working in unison to deflect
an attacked ball at the net back to the hitter’s side.

DOUBLE HIT – Successive hits or contacts by the same
player. (Illegal)

DOUBLE QUICK – Two hitters approaching the setter
for a quick inside hit.

DOUBLES – A game with two players on each side, most
commonly played on a sand court.

DOWN BALL – A ball the blockers elect not to attempt
to block because it has been set too far from the net or the
hitter is not under control. A “Down Ball” is hit
overhand and driven over the net with topspin while the player
remains standing. “Down Ball,” is usually called
aloud by the defence when it becomes apparent the attacker
has no chance of hitting a powerful spike.

FIVE-ONE– A 6-player offensive system that uses five
hitters and one setter.

FIVE SET
– A back set to the right front hitter.

FLARE – Inside-out path of an outside spiker who hid
behind a quick hitter.

FLOATER – A serve which does not spin or rotate and
therefore moves in an erratic path. This is similar to a “knuckle
ball” pitch in baseball.
 FOREARM PASS – Join your arms from the elbows to the
wrists and strike the ball with the fleshy part of your forearms
in an underhand motion.

FOUL – A violation of the rules.

FOUR SET – A set 1′ from the sideline, and 1’ to 2′
above the net.

FOUR-TWO – A 6-player offensive system using four
hitters and two setters.

FREE BALL – A ball that will be returned by a pass
rather than a spike. This is usually called aloud by the defense
instructing players to move into serve receive positions.

HELD BALL – A ball that comes to rest during contact
resulting in a foul.

HIT – To jump and strike the ball with an overhand,
forceful shot.

HITTER – Also “spiker” or “attacker”

HITTING PERCENTAGE – kills vs. attempts

INSIDE SHOOT – A playset or a 33.

ISOLATION PLAY – Designed to isolate the attacker
on a specific defender, normally to exploit a weakness or
give a hitter a chance to hit against a single block.

JUNGLE BALL – Any volleyball game with people who
don’t really know how to play volleyball. A common euphemism
for this type of game is “Picnic Volleyball.”

JUMP SERVE – A serve that is started by the server
tossing the ball into the air and jumping into and hitting
the ball in its downward motion.

JOUST – When 2 opposing players are simultaneously
attempting to play a ball above the net.

KEY – To predict a team’s next play by observation of patterns or habits.

KILL – An attack that results in an immediate point
or side out.

LINE – The marks that serve as boundaries of a court.

LINE SHOT – A ball spiked down an opponent’s sideline,
closest to the hitter and outside the block.

LET SERVE – A serve that contacts the net. If the ball dribbles over, it’s
playable just like any other ball that contacts the net on the way over. If the
ball fails to clear the net, it will become dead when it either hits the serving
team’s court, or is contacted by a player on the serving team.

MIDDLE-BACK – A defensive system that uses the middle
back player to cover deep spikes.

MIDDLE-UP – A defensive system that uses the middle
back player to cover dinks or short shots.

MINTONETTE – The original name of the game of volleyball,
created by William Morgan.

MULTIPLE OFFENSE – A system of play using different
types of sets other than just normal outside sets.

 OFFSIDE BLOCK – Player at the net, which is on the side away from the
opponent’s attack.

 OFF-SPEED HIT – Any ball spiked with less than maximum force but with
spin.

 OUTSIDE HITTER – a left-front or right-front attacker normally taking

an approach which starts from outside the court

 OVERHAND PASS – A pass executed with both hands open, controlled by

the fingers and thumbs, played just above the forehead.

 OVERHAND SERVE – Serving the ball and striking it with the hand above the
shoulder.

 OVERLAP – refers to the positions of the players in the rotation prior to the
contact of the ball when serving.

 PANCAKE – A one-handed defensive technique where the hand is extended

and the palm is slid along the floor as the player dives or extension rolls, and
timed so that the ball bounces off the back of the hand.
 PASS see “Forearm Pass”

PENETRATION – The act of reaching across and breaking
the plane of the net during blocking.
 POINT OF SERVICE – A serve that results in a point
(an ace by NCAA standards) as the serve is not returnable
due to a bad pass by the receiver, this number includes aces.

POWER ALLEY – A cross-court hit traveling away from
the spiker to the farthest point of the court.

POWER TIP – A ball that is pushed or directed with
force by an attacking team.

POWER VOLLEYBALL – A competitive style of volleyball
started by the Japanese.

 QUICK – a player approaching the setter for a quick inside hit

 QUICK SET – a set (usually 2’ above the net) in which the hitter is
approaching the setter, and may even be in the air, before the setter delivers
the ball. This type of set requires precise timing between the setter and hitter.

 READY POSITION – The flexed, yet comfortable, posture a player assumes

before moving to contact the ball.

 RECEPTION ERROR – A serve that a player should have been able to

return, but results in an ace (and only in the case of an ace). If it is a
“husband/wife” play (where the ball splits the two receivers), the receiving
team is given the reception error instead of an individual.

 RED CARD – a severe penalty in which an official displays a red card. The
result of a red card may be a player is disqualified, the team loses the serve,
or the team loses a point. A red card may be given with or without a
prior yellow card as a warning; it is up to the official’s discretion.

 ROLL – a certain way to pass a ball in which the digger, or passer lays out an
arm, passes the ball, and rolls over the shoulder (over the shoulder roll) or
back (barrel roll) after passing the ball. This is a quick way to return to action
after the play.

 ROOF – A ball that when spiked is blocked by a defensive player such that
the ball deflects straight to the floor on the attacker’s side.

 ROTATION – The clockwise movement of players around the court and

through the serving position following a side out.

 SERVE – One of the six basic skills; used to put the ball into play. It is the
only skill
 controlled exclusively by one player.

 SERVER – The player who puts the ball into play.

 SERVICE ERROR – An unsuccessful serve in which one or more of the
following occurs: 1) the ball hits the net or fails to clear the net, 2) the ball
lands out of bounds, or 3) the server commits a foot fault.

 SERVICE WINNER – A point the serving team scores when this player has
served the ball. The point can be an immediate (in the case of an ace) or
delayed (a kill or opponent attack error after a long rally). Therefore, the sum
of the team’s service winners equals their score.

 SET – The tactical skill in which a ball is directed to a point where a player
can spike it into the opponent’s court.

 SETTER – the player who has the 2nd of 3 contacts of the ball who “sets” the
ball with an “Overhand Pass” for a teammate to hit. The setter normally runs
the offense.

 SIDE OUT – Occurs when the receiving team successfully puts the ball away
against the serving team, or when the serving team commits an unforced
error, and the receiving team thus gains the right to serve.

 SIX PACK – Occurs when a blocker gets hit in the head or face by a spiked
ball.

 SIX-TWO – A 6-player offense using 2 setters opposite one another in

the rotation. Setter 1 becomes a hitter upon rotating into the front row
as setter 2 rotates into the back row and becomes the setter.

 SPIKE – Also hit or attack. A ball contacted with force by a player on the
offensive team who intends to terminate the ball on the opponent’s floor or off
the opponent’s blocker.

 STRONG SIDE – When a right-handed hitter is hitting from the left-front

position or when a left-handed hitter is hitting from the right-front position.

 STUFF – A ball that is deflected back to the attacking team’s floor by the
opponent’s blockers. A slang term for “block.”

 TURNING IN – the act of an outside blocker turning his/her body into the court
so as to ensure the blocked ball is deflected into the court and lands in-
bounds.

 UNDERHAND SERVE – a serve in which the ball is given a slight under-hand

toss from about waist high and then struck with the opposite closed fist in an
“underhand pitching” motion.

 WEAK SIDE – When a right-handed player is hitting from right-front position

or when a left-handed player is hitting from the left-front position.
 WIPE – when a hitter pushes the ball off of the opposing block so it lands out
of bounds

 YELLOW CARD – a warning from an official indicated by the display of

a yellow card. Any player or coach who receives two yellow cards in a match
is disqualified. A single yellow card does not result in loss of point or serve.
 Interruption and Delays

An interruption is the time between one completed rally and the 1st referee’s whistle
for the next service. The only regular game interruptions are TIME-OUTS and
SUBSTITUTIONS.

 NUMBER OF REGULAR GAME INTERRUPTIONS-

Each team may request a maximum of two time-outs and six substitutions per set.

For FIVB, World and Official competitions for Seniors, the FIVB may reduce, by one,
the number of team and/ or Technical Time Outs in accordance with sponsorship,
marketing and broadcast agreements.

 SEQUENCE OF REGULAR GAME INTERRUPTIONS-

Request for one or two time-outs, and one request for substitution by either team
may follow one another, within the same interruption.

However, a team is not authorized to make consecutive requests for substitution

during the same interruption. Two or more players may be substituted at the same
time within the same request.

There must be a completed rally between two separate substitution requests by the
same team.

 REQUEST FOR REGULAR GAME INTERRUPTIONS-

Regular game interruptions may be requested by the coach, or in the absence of the
coach, by the game captain, and only by them.

Substitution before the start of a set is permitted, and should be recorded as a

regular substitution in that set.

 TIME-OUTS AND TECHNICAL TIME-OUTS-

Time-out requests must be made by showing the corresponding hand signal, when
the ball is out of play and before the whistle for service. All requested time-outs last
for 30 seconds.

For FIVB, World and Official Competitions it is obligatory to use the buzzer and then
the hand signal to request time-out. For FIVB, World and Official Competitions, in
sets 1-4, two additional 60-second “Technical Time-Outs” are applied automatically
when the leading team reaches the 8th and 16th point. In the deciding (5th) set,
there are no “Technical Time- Outs”; only two time-outs of 30 seconds duration may
be requested by each team.

During all time-outs, the players in play must go to the free zone near their bench.
  SUBSTITUTION-

A substitution is the act by which a player, other than the Libero or his/her
replacement player, after being recorded by the scorer, enters the game to occupy
the position of another player, who must leave the court at that moment.

When the substitution is enforced through injury to a player in play this may be
accompanied by the coach (or game captain) showing the corresponding hand
signal.

 LIMITATION OF SUBSTITUTIONS-

A player of the starting line-up may leave the game, but only once in a set, and re-
enter, but only once in a set, and only to his/her previous position in the line-up. A
substitute player may enter the game in place of a player of the starting line-up, but
only once per set, and he/she can only be substituted by the same starting player.

 EXCEPTIONAL SUBSTITUTION-

A player (except the Libero) who cannot continue playing due to injury or illness,
should be substituted legally. If this is not possible, the team is entitled to make an
EXCEPTIONAL substitution, beyond the limits of Rule 15.6

An exceptional substitution means that any player who is not on the court at the time
of the injury/illness, except the Libero, second Libero or their regular replacement
player, may be substituted into the game for the injured/ill player. The substituted
injured/ill player is not allowed to re-enter the match.

An exceptional substitution cannot be counted in any case as a regular substitution,

but should be recorded on the score sheet as part of the total of substitutions in the
set and the match.

 SUBSTITUTION FOR EXPULSION OR DISQUALIFICATION-

An EXPELLED or DISQUALIFIED player must be substituted immediately through a

legal substitution. If this is not possible, the team is declared INCOMPLETE.
  ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTION-

A substitution is illegal, if it exceeds the limitations indicated in Rule 15.6 (except the
case of Rule 15.7), or an unregistered player is involved.

When a team has made an illegal substitution and the play has been resumed the
following procedure shall apply, in sequence:

1. the team is penalized with a point and service to the opponent

2. the substitution must be rectified,

3. the points scored by the team at fault since the fault was committed are
cancelled; the opponent’s points remain valid.

 SUBSTITUTION PROCEDURE-

Substitution must be carried out within the substitution zone.

A substitution shall only last the time needed for recording the substitution on the
score sheet, and allowing entry and exit of the players.

The actual request for substitution starts at the moment of the entrance of the
substitute player(s) into the substitution zone, ready to play, during an interruption.
The coach does not need to make a substitution hand signal except if the
substitution is for injury or before the start of the set.

If the player is not ready, the substitution is not granted and the team is sanctioned
for a delay.

The request for substitution is acknowledged and announced by the scorer or 2nd
referee, by use of the buzzer or whistle respectively. The 2nd referee authorises the
substitution.

For FIVB, World and Official Competitions, numbered paddles are used to facilitate
the substitution.

If a team intends to make simultaneously more than one substitution, all substitute
players must enter the substitution zone at the same time to be considered in the
same request. In this case, substitutions must be made in succession, one pair of
players after another. If one is illegal, the legal one(s) is/are granted and the illegal is
rejected and subject to a delay sanction.
  IMPROPER REQUESTS-

It is improper to request any regular game interruption:

1. During a rally or at the moment of or after the whistle to serve

2. By a non-authorized team member
3. For a second substitution by the same team during the same interruption,
except in the case of injury/illness of a player in play.
4. After having exhausted the authorized number of time-outs and substitutions.
5. The first improper request by a team in the match that does not affector delay
the game shall be rejected, but it must be recorded on the score sheet without
any other consequences.
6. Any further improper request in the match by the same team constitutesa
delay

 TYPES OF DELAYS -

- delaying regular game interruptions;

- prolonging interruptions, after having been instructed to resume the game;

- requesting an illegal substitution;

- repeating an improper request;

- delaying the game by a team member.

 Delay Sanctions –

Delay Warning and Delay Penalty are team sanctions.

1. Delay sanctions remain in force for the entire match.

2. All delay sanctions are recorded on the scoresheet.

The first delay in a match by a team member is sanctioned with a delay warning.

The second and subsequent delays of any type by any member of the same team in
the same match constitute a fault and are sanctioned with a delay penalty loss of
rally.

Delay sanctions imposed before or between sets are applied in the following set.
 Team Captain and Coach

 Captain-
Captains are usually responsible for unofficial duties also. This varies from team to
team. Some captains get to make decisions on travel arrangements, where you stay,
where you eat. Some captains will help pick jerseys or other team swag.

There are times when captains are going to run warmups, or maybe even take over
pre-season practices. All of this is heavily dependent on your age, ability level and
coach. The captain role is one of organization and decision making more than
anything else. You can absolutely be a captain and a leader, but being elected a
captain, does not automatically mean that people will follow you.

 Coach-
Coaching for volleyball can be classified under two main categories: match coaching
and developmental coaching. The objective of match coaching is to win a match by
managing a team's strategy. Developmental coaching emphasizes player
development through the reinforcement of basic skills during exercises known as
"drills." Drills promote repetition and refinement of volleyball movements, particularly
in footwork patterns, body positioning relative to others, and ball contact. A coach will
construct drills that simulate match situations thereby encouraging speed of
movement, anticipation, timing, communication, and team-work. At the various
stages of a player's career, a coach will tailor drills to meet the strategic
requirements of the team. The American Volleyball Coaches Association is the
largest organization in the world dedicated exclusively to volleyball coaching.
 Officials-duties and cards
 THE REFEREE (Head official on volleyball stand) -

1. The referee initiates service, and controls the tempo of the game.
2. The referee is primarily responsible for judgments regarding ball handling.
3. The referee is primarily responsible for rotation of serving team.
4. The referee is primarily responsible for communication with umpire, captains
and statistician.

 THE UMPIRE (official on floor nearest the scorer’s table) -

1. The umpire is primarily responsible for judgments pertaining to net play, line
violations, center line and attack line.
2. The umpire is primarily responsible for rotation of the receiving team and will
keep a written record of team rotations and substitutions.
3. The umpire only makes ball-handling judgments when in the umpire’s opinion
the referee is shielded from play.

 ASSISSTANT COACH-

Assistant volleyball coaches are integral leaders of the volleyball team. Their job
descriptions can include any team-related task the head coach assigns. Assistants
follow the direction the head coach sets for the team, but bring their own style and
skills to the job. It's important that assistant volleyball coaches have strong playing
backgrounds themselves so they understand what it's like to play the game and the
strategies that can help the team win.

 Cards-
1. Yellow cards - may include but not limited to:

a. delay of game
b. questioning officials
c. unsportsmanlike conduct
d. inappropriate behaviour
2. Red cards: (automatic ejection) - may include but not limited to:
a. Swearing
b. Arguing w/ official
c. Second yellow card

3. Yellow card = Warning

4. Red Card = 1 point and service to the other team

5. Yellow + red card in one hand = the player can’t play in that set, he has to
leave the court and another player take his place

6. Yellow + red card in separated hands = player is expelled from the match and
can’t play anymore.
Official Hand Signals
 Fundamental Skills

 Serve-

A player stands behind the inline and serves the ball, in an attempt to drive it into the
opponent's court. The main objective is to make it land inside the court; it is also
desirable to set the ball's direction, speed and acceleration so that it becomes
difficult for the receiver to handle it properly. A serve is called an "ace" when the ball
lands directly onto the court or travels outside the court after being touched by an
opponent; when the only player on the server's team to touch the ball is the server.

In contemporary volleyball, many types of serves are employed:

1. Underhand: a serve in which the player strikes the ball below the waist
instead of tossing it up and striking it with an overhand throwing motion.
Underhand serves are considered very easy to receive and are rarely
employed in high-level competitions.
2. Sky ball serve: a specific type of underhand serve occasionally used in beach
volleyball, where the ball is hit so high it comes down almost in a straight line.
This serve was invented and employed almost exclusively by the Brazilian
team in the early 1980s and is now considered outdated. During the 2016
Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, however, the sky ball serve was
extensively played by Italian beach volleyball player Adrian Carambula. In
Brazil, this serve is called Jornada nas Estrelas (Star Trek)
3. Topspin: an overhand serve where the player tosses the ball high and hits it
with a wrist snap, giving it topspin which causes it to drop faster than it would
otherwise and helps maintain a straight flight path. Topspin serves are
generally hit hard and aimed at a specific returner or part of the court.
Standing topspin serves are rarely used above the high school level of play.
4. Float: an overhand serve where the ball is hit with no spin so that its path
becomes unpredictable, akin to a knuckleball in baseball.
5. Jump serve: an overhand serve where the ball is first tossed high in the air,
then the player makes a timed approach and jumps to make contact with the
ball, hitting it with much pace and topspin. This is the most popular serve
among college and professional teams.
6. Jump float: an overhand serve where the ball is tossed high enough that the
player may jump before hitting it similarly to a standing float serve. The ball is
tossed lower than a topspin jump serve, but contact is still made while in the
air. This serve is becoming more popular among college and professional
players because it has a certain unpredictability in its flight pattern. It is the
only serve where the server's feet can go over the inline.
  Pass-

A player making a forearm pass or bump

Also called reception, the pass is the attempt by a team to properly handle the
opponent's serve or any form of attack. Proper handling includes not only preventing
the ball from touching the court but also making it reach the position where the setter
is standing quickly and precisely.

The skill of passing involves fundamentally two specific techniques: underarm pass,
or bump, where the ball touches the inside part of the joined forearms or platform, at
waistline; and overhand pass, where it is handled with the fingertips, like a set,
above the head. Either are acceptable in professional and beach volleyball; however,
there are much tighter regulations on the overhand pass in beach volleyball.

 Set-

The set is usually the second contact that a team makes with the ball. The main goal
of setting is to put the ball in the air in such a way that it can be driven by an attack
into the opponent's court.[3] The setter coordinates the offensive movements of a
team, and is the player who ultimately decides which player will actually attack the
ball.

As with passing, one may distinguish between an overhand and a bump set. Since
the former allows for more control over the speed and direction of the ball, the bump
is used only when the ball is so low it cannot be properly handled with fingertips, or
in beach volleyball where rules regulating overhand setting are more stringent. In the
case of a set, one also speaks of a front or back set, meaning whether the ball is
passed in the direction the setter is facing or behind the setter. There is also a jump
set that is used when the ball is too close to the net. In this case, the setter usually
jumps off their right foot straight up to avoid going into the net. The setter usually
stands about ⅔ of the way from the left to the right of the net and faces the left (the
larger portion of net that he or she can see).

Sometimes a setter refrains from raising the ball for a teammate to perform an attack
and tries to play it directly onto the opponent's court. This movement is called a
"dump".[30] This can only be performed when the setter is in the front row, otherwise
it constitutes an illegal back court attack. The most common dumps are to 'throw' the
ball behind the setter or in front of the setter to zones 2 and 4. More experienced
setters toss the ball into the deep corners or spike the ball on the second hit.

As with a set or an overhand pass, the setter/passer must be careful to touch the ball
with both hands at the same time. If one hand is noticeably late to touch the ball this
could result in a less effective set, as well as the referee calling a 'double hit' and
giving the point to the opposing team.
  Attack-

The attack, also known as the spike, is usually the third contact a team makes with
the ball. The object of attacking is to handle the ball so that it lands on the
opponent's court and cannot be defended. A player makes a series of steps (the
"approach"), jumps, and swings at the ball.

Ideally, the contact with the ball is made at the apex of the hitter's jump. At the
moment of contact, the hitter's arm is fully extended above their head and slightly
forward, making the highest possible contact while maintaining the ability to deliver a
powerful hit. The hitter uses arm swing, wrist snap, and a rapid forward contraction
of the entire body to drive the ball. A 'bounce' is a slang term for a very hard/loud
spike that follows an almost straight trajectory steeply downward into the opponent's
court and bounces very high into the air. A "kill" is the slang term for an attack that is
not returned by the other team thus resulting in a point.

Contemporary volleyball comprises a number of attacking techniques:

1. Backcourt (or back row)/pipe attack: an attack performed by a back-row

player. The player must jump from behind the 3-meter line before making
contact with the ball, but may land in front of the 3-meter line.
2. Line and Cross-court Shot: refers to whether the ball flies in a straight
trajectory parallel to the sidelines, or crosses through the court in an angle. A
cross-court shot with a very pronounced angle, resulting in the ball landing
near the 3-meter line, is called a cut shot.
3. Dip/Dink/Tip/Cheat/Dump: the player does not try to make a hit, but touches
the ball lightly, so that it lands on an area of the opponent's court that is not
being covered by the defence.
4. Tool/Wipe/Block-abuse: the player does not try to make a hard spike, but hits
the ball so that it touches the opponent's block and then bounces off-court.
5. Off-speed hit: the player does not hit the ball hard, reducing its speed and
thus confusing the opponent's defence.
6. Quick hit/"One": an attack (usually by the middle blocker) where the approach
and jump begin before the setter contacts the ball. The set (called a "quick
set") is placed only slightly above the net and the ball is struck by the hitter
almost immediately after leaving the setter's hands. Quick attacks are often
effective because they isolate the middle blocker to be the only blocker on the
hit.
7. Slide: a variation of the quick hit that uses a low backset. The middle hitter
steps around the setter and hits from behind him or her.
8. Double quick hit/"Stack"/"Tandem": a variation of quick hit where two hitters,
one in front and one behind the setter or both in front of the setter, jump to
perform a quick hit at the same time. It can be used to deceive opposite
blockers and free a fourth hitter attacking from back-court, maybe without
block at all.
  Block-

Blocking refers to the actions taken by players standing at the net to stop or alter an
opponent's attack.

A block that is aimed at completely stopping an attack, thus making the ball remain
in the opponent's court, is called offensive. A well-executed offensive block is
performed by jumping and reaching to penetrate with one's arms and hands over the
net and into the opponent's area. It requires anticipating the direction the ball will go
once the attack takes place. It may also require calculating the best footwork to
executing the "perfect" block.

The jump should be timed so as to intercept the ball's trajectory prior to it crossing
over the net. Palms are held deflected downward roughly 45–60 degrees toward the
interior of the opponents' court. A "roof" is a spectacular offensive block that redirects
the power and speed of the attack straight down to the attacker's floor as if the
attacker hit the ball into the underside of a peaked house roof.

By contrast, it is called a defensive, or "soft" block if the goal is to control and deflect
the hard-driven ball up so that it slows down and becomes easier to defend. A well-
executed soft-block is performed by jumping and placing one's hands above the net
with no penetration into the opponent's court and with the palms up and fingers
pointing backwards.

Blocking is also classified according to the number of players involved. Thus, one
may speak of single (or solo), double, or triple block.

Successful blocking does not always result in a "roof" and many times does not even
touch the ball. While it's obvious that a block was a success when the attacker is
roofed, a block that consistently forces the attacker away from their 'power' or
preferred attack into a more easily controlled shot by the defence is also a highly
successful block.

At the same time, the block position influences the positions where other defenders
place themselves while opponent hitters are spiking.
  Dig-

Digging is the ability to prevent the ball from touching one's court after a spike or
attack, particularly a ball that is nearly touching the ground. In many aspects, this
skill is similar to passing, or bumping: overhand dig and bump are also used to
distinguish between defensive actions taken with fingertips or with joined arms. It
varies from passing however in that is it a much more reflex based skill, especially at
the higher levels. It is especially important while digging for players to stay on their
toes; several players choose to employ a split step to make sure they're ready to
move in any direction.

Some specific techniques are more common in digging than in passing. A player
may sometimes perform a "dive", i.e., throw their body in the air with a forward
movement in an attempt to save the ball, and land on their chest. When the player
also slides their hand under a ball that is almost touching the court, this is called a
"pancake". The pancake is frequently used in indoor volleyball, but rarely if ever in
beach volleyball because the uneven and yielding nature of the sand court limits the
chances that the ball will make good, clean contact with the hand. When used
correctly, it is one of the more spectacular defensive volleyball plays.

Sometimes a player may also be forced to drop their body quickly to the floor to save
the ball. In this situation, the player makes use of a specific rolling technique to
minimize the chances of injuries.