Volleyball Terms for Kids: 30 Volleyball Words and Definitions for PE
Ask a class of fourth graders what a "dig" is in volleyball, and you might get a few answers about shovels. Volleyball has a language all its own, and students who know it follow directions faster, understand the game better, and have more fun playing it.
In this post, you'll find 30 common volleyball terms with simple, kid-friendly definitions, grouped into skills, court and positions, scoring, and rules. I'll also share easy ways to teach volleyball vocabulary in PE so the words actually stick.
Quick Answer: The most common volleyball terms are serve, bump (forearm pass), set, spike, block, dig, rally, rotation, ace, and side out. Teach three to five terms at a time, post them on a word wall, and use the words during every lesson so students learn them while they play.
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Volleyball Skill Terms
These are the words students hear most during a volleyball unit. Start here, since every game and station uses them.
Serve: The hit that starts every rally. The server stands behind the end line and sends the ball over the net to the other team.
Underhand Serve: A serve where the player holds the ball low in front of the body and swings the hitting arm forward from below the waist. Most beginners start with this serve.
Overhand Serve: A serve where the player tosses the ball up and hits it above the head with an open hand.
Bump (Forearm Pass): Passing the ball off the flat part of both forearms with the hands together and the arms straight. The bump is usually the first contact after a serve.
Set (Overhead Pass): Using the fingertips of both hands above the forehead to push the ball up, usually so a teammate can attack it.
Spike (Attack): Hitting the ball hard and downward over the net, usually after a set.
Block: Jumping at the net with the arms up to stop or slow down an attack from the other team.
Dig: Keeping a hard-hit ball off the floor, often with a low bump.
Tip: A soft push of the ball over or around the blockers instead of a hard spike.
Free Ball: An easy ball sent over the net with a bump or set instead of an attack.
Court and Position Terms
Once students know the skills, these terms help them understand where to stand and where the ball has to go.
Antenna: The thin poles on top of the net at each sideline. The ball has to cross the net between them.
Attack Line: The line about 10 feet (3 meters) from the net on each side. Back-row players can't jump and attack the ball above the net from in front of it.
End Line: The back boundary of the court. Servers stand behind it.
Front Row: The three players closest to the net. They do most of the blocking and attacking.
Back Row: The three players closest to the end line. They do most of the passing and digging.
Setter: The player who usually takes the second contact and sets the ball up for a teammate to attack.
Libero: A back-row defensive player who wears a different color jersey from the rest of the team.
Rotation: Moving one position clockwise each time your team wins the serve back. Rotation gives every player a turn to serve and play each spot.
Scoring and Game Play Terms
These words help students follow the score and talk about what's happening in a game.
Rally: The back-and-forth play from the serve until the ball hits the floor or a fault ends the play.
Rally Scoring: A scoring system where a point is scored on every rally, no matter which team served.
Ace: A serve that scores a point without the other team returning it.
Side Out: When the receiving team wins the rally and earns the right to serve.
Kill: An attack that ends the rally and scores a point.
Match: A series of games, also called sets. A team usually has to win two out of three or three out of five to win the match.
Rules and Violation Terms
These are the rules students ask about most. In elementary PE, you can relax some of them while students learn, then add them back as skills improve.
Three Hits: Each team gets up to three contacts to send the ball back over the net. A block doesn't count as one of the three.
Double Hit: One player touching the ball twice in a row. It's a fault, except right after a block.
Lift (Carry): Catching, holding, or throwing the ball instead of cleanly hitting it.
Net Violation: Touching the net during play.
Foot Fault: Stepping on or over the end line while serving.
Out of Bounds: A ball that lands outside the court lines. A ball that lands on the line is in.
How to Teach Volleyball Terms in PE
Students learn volleyball vocabulary best when they hear it, see it, and use it while they play. Here are simple ways to build the words into your unit:
Start With a Few Words: Introduce three to five terms per lesson, starting with serve, bump, and set. Add new words as students are ready for the skills that go with them.
Post a Word Wall: Keep the words in sight all unit long. My Volleyball Word Wall and Volleyball Terms poster make it easy, and this post on how to use word walls in PE has more ideas.
Use the Words While They Play: Name each skill as students practice it, and have them call out the term during stations and games.
Pair Each Word With Its Cues: A term means more when students know how to do it. Post the Volleying Cues poster or the Top 10 Volleyball Skills signs next to your word wall.
Check for Understanding: Ask a quick question at the end of class, like "What's the difference between a bump and a set?" For skill checks, try the Underhand Volley rubrics and Overhand Volley rubrics.
Lighter equipment helps, too. For elementary volleyball, I used beach balls instead of volleyballs. Students had more time to get under the ball, so they could practice the bump and the set the right way. Sometimes I used volleyball trainers with my 4th and 5th graders. For more ideas, check out these beach ball games and activities.
Learning the language of a game fits the 2024 SHAPE America Standard 2: Applies knowledge related to movement and fitness concepts. For more on the new standards, read Understanding the New SHAPE America Physical Education Standards for 2024.
*National Physical Education Standards are used under license from SHAPE America. © 2024, SHAPE America, https://www.shapeamerica.org/. All rights reserved.
Volleyball Resources for PE
Once students know the terms, put them to work with lessons, stations, and games:
Lesson Plans: The Volleying Skills Unit and the Volleyball Skills and Games Unit from my Power PE Curriculum each include 10 lesson plans, five for K-2 and five for Grades 3-5.
Stations: 20 Fun Volleyball Activities and Games gives you ready-to-use stations for skill practice.
Games: 25 Large Group Volleyball Lead-Up Activities keeps every student involved, even with big classes.
Everything Together: The Volleyball PE Bundle combines lesson plans, stations, games, task cards, and signs for K-5.
More Visuals: The 10 Ways to Use a Volleyball poster and the Team Sports Skills and Terms poster bundle cover more sports on one wall.
Want more ideas for your unit? Read 6 Awesome Games for Volleyball and 10 Fun Volleyball Stations and Small Group Activities.
Volleyball Terms FAQs
What are the basic volleyball terms for beginners?
Start with serve, bump, set, spike, block, rally, and rotation. These seven words cover most of what beginners need to play a simple game.
What is the difference between a bump and a set?
A bump is a pass off the forearms with the arms straight and the hands together. A set is a pass with the fingertips of both hands above the forehead. Teams usually bump first, then set the ball up for an attack.
What does side out mean in volleyball?
A side out happens when the receiving team wins the rally. That team earns the serve and rotates one position clockwise.
What is an ace in volleyball?
An ace is a serve that scores a point without the other team returning it.
How many hits does each team get in volleyball?
Each team gets up to three hits to send the ball back over the net, and one player can't hit the ball twice in a row. In elementary PE, many teachers allow extra hits while students are learning.
Final Thoughts
Volleyball terms give your students a shared language for every lesson, station, and game. Start with a few words, keep them on the wall, and use them every time students play. Before long, you'll hear students calling out "Mine!", "Set it!", and "Side out!" on their own.
Which volleyball terms will you teach first? Let me know in the comments below.
Need FREE Physical Education Games?
Do you need fun games for your physical education program with clear instructions and play diagrams? Here's a free set to help!
Fill in the form below to download the FREE Physical Education Games Packet: 18 Game Set to use in your PE program! Inside are 18 fun and exciting PE games for a wide range of ages.
This PDF digital download includes 3 games from each of these sets in my PE Games Super Bundle:
1. PE Base Games, 2. PE Basketball Games, 3. PE Soccer Games, 4. PE Volleyball and Net Games, 5. PE Disc Games, and 6. PE Small Group Multi-Skill Games
150 PE Games
If you're looking for lots of PE games for large, medium, or small groups, check out my PE Games Super Bundle: Basketball, Soccer, Net, Disc, Base, and Small Group Games.
This Super Bundle includes 150 games from 6 PE game sets: PE Base Games, PE Basketball Games, PE Soccer Games, PE Volleyball and Net Games, PE Disc Games, and PE Small Group Multi-Skill Games. Each set has 25 top-rated games that PE and classroom teachers can use to teach skills and keep students happy and active!
You can find this bundle in my TPT store: PE Games for Team Sports: Super Bundle of Large Group and Small Group Activities
About Pete Charrette
Pete Charrette is a National Board Certified physical education teacher and former Georgia PE Teacher of the Year with more than 30 years of experience teaching elementary PE. He is the creator of Cap'n Pete's Power PE and has developed more than 1,000 PE and health resources used by teachers around the world. Pete loves helping PE teachers build programs their students enjoy.
