Volleyball Glossary

Glossary explained in plain English for parents learning Volleyball.

Term	Plain-English Meaning	Example	Also Known As
Rally	The live play from the serve until the whistle ends the point.	The rally continues after a pass, set, and free ball.	Point sequence
Rally scoring	A scoring system where a point is awarded after almost every rally.	The receiving team wins the rally and earns a point.	Every-rally scoring
Set	One scoring game inside a match, or the second contact that puts the ball near a hitter.	The team wins the first set, then the setter sets the outside hitter.	Game;assist contact
Match	The full contest made of multiple sets.	The match is best two out of three sets.	Contest
Serve	The action that starts a rally by sending the ball over the net from behind the service area.	The server uses an underhand serve to start the point.	Service
Side-out	A change where the receiving team wins the rally and earns the next serve.	After side-out, the team rotates and serves.	Change of serve
Rotation	The movement of players through court positions when their team wins the serve.	The players rotate clockwise before serving.	Rotate
Serving order	The order in which players serve during a set.	The coach checks the serving order before the next serve.	Lineup order
Three contacts	The usual maximum number of team touches before sending the ball over the net.	The team uses pass, set, and attack as its three contacts.	Three hits
Pass	A controlled first contact that sends the ball toward a setter or target.	The passer angles the platform to target.	Bump
Platform	The flat forearm surface players create to pass the ball.	The coach reminds players to hold a steady platform.	Forearm pass shape
Set contact	A controlled second contact that prepares the ball for an attacker.	The setter sends a high ball to the outside hitter.	Assist
Attack	An intentional third-contact play that sends the ball over with pressure.	The outside hitter attacks cross-court.	Hit;spike
Free ball	An easier ball sent over, often without a hard attack.	The team calls free ball and gets into receive positions.	Easy ball
Serve receive	The team's formation and first pass when receiving a serve.	Three players line up for serve receive.	Reception
Target	The spot where passers try to send the ball, usually near the setter area.	The pass goes to target and the team can run a simple play.	Setter target
Libero	A defensive specialist in a different jersey when the league uses libero rules.	The libero passes the serve and stays in the back row.	Defensive specialist
Defensive specialist	A player who focuses on passing, serve receive, and back-row defense.	A defensive specialist subs in for back-row passing.	DS
Net fault	A violation involving illegal contact with the net during play.	The hitter lands into the net after the attack.	Net violation
Line call	A call that decides whether the ball landed in or out.	The ball clips the line, so it is in.	In/out call
Foot fault	A serving violation when the server steps on or over the service line too early.	The server steps across the line before contacting the ball.	Service-line fault
Double contact	An illegal double touch by one player or uneven ball handling called by the official.	The set comes off both hands unevenly and is called double.	Double hit
Lift	A ball-handling violation where the ball is held, carried, or thrown instead of rebounding cleanly.	The player pushes the ball up with a long contact.	Carry
Substitution	A recorded player exchange under the rules of the set.	The coach requests a substitution before the serve.	Sub
Timeout	A short pause requested by a coach or granted by an official.	The coach calls timeout after three missed serve-receive passes.	Break
Coverage	Team positioning that prepares players to cover tips, blocks, free balls, and deflections.	Players move behind the hitter for coverage.	Court coverage