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Volleyball Glossary for Kids and Beginners

Volleyball is a fun sport that people of all ages can enjoy. But whether you're playing on the beach, in gym class, or in your backyard, it's a good idea to learn a little about the words people use to talk about this sport. Understanding the vocabulary of volleyball can help you learn how to play and get better at the game.

  • Ace: A serve that the other team can't return, which earns your team a point
  • Antenna: One of the poles on the sides of the net that mark the boundary for legal play
  • Assist: When a player sets up a teammate to make a successful hit
  • Attack: When a player tries to hit the ball so it lands in the other team's court
  • Back Row: The three players who stand farthest from the net
  • Block: When players jump near the net to stop the ball from coming over
  • Bump: Hitting the ball with your forearms
  • Court: The playing area for volleyball
  • Dig: A defensive move where a player dives to keep the ball from hitting the ground
  • Double Hit: When a player hits the ball twice in a row, which is not allowed
  • Foot Fault: When a player steps over the serving line while serving
  • Free Ball: A ball that the other team can easily play because it wasn't hit hard
  • Front Row: The three players closest to the net
  • Kill: A successful hit that the other team can't return
  • Let: When the serve hits the net
  • Libero: A special player who can only play in the back row and wears a different color jersey
  • Match: A series of games
  • Net: The barrier in the middle of the court that players must hit the ball over
  • Out: When the ball lands outside of the court
  • Overhand Serve: Serving the ball by throwing it up and hitting it with the hand above the shoulder
  • Pass: Using your arms to hit the ball to a teammate
  • Point: A score earned when the ball hits the ground on the other team's side or they make a mistake
  • Rotation: Moving a team's players around the court in a specific order before the team serves. This gives different players on the team a turn to serve.
  • Serve: When you start play by hitting the ball over the net to the other team
  • Set: Using your fingers to push the ball up into the air for a teammate to hit
  • Side Out: When the team that is serving loses the point and the other team gets to serve
  • Spike: Jumping and hitting the ball hard over the net and toward the ground
  • Substitute: Switching one player for another during the game
  • Time Out: A short break requested by a coach to talk to their team
  • Underhand Serve: Serving the ball by holding it in one hand and hitting it with the other hand from below the waist

 

Additional Resources

 

Learn about the author: Ben Thompson