Various Volleyball Terminology and Definitions

Ace-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

Free ball- Returning the ball to the opponent without the intent to get a kill (slow, arcing, pass rather than a spike)

Kill- An attack that results directly in a point or sideout

Assist- Passing or setting the ball to a teammate who attacks the ball for a kill

Tandem – A combination in which one player attacks immediately behind another

Six Pack- When a defending player gets hit in the face with the ball either from an attack or by a deflection off the block

Tool- When an attacker hits the ball off an opposing blockers arms when out of bounds

Roof- To block a spike, usually straight down for a point

Pancake- one-hand floor defensive technique where the hand is extended and slid along the floor palm down while the player dives or extension rolls, so that the ball bounces off the back of the hand.

This above player is demonstrating a pancake.