Communication is key in the fast-paced game of volleyball and there are many types of attacks or hits a team can use can use to get the better of their opponents.
We’ll begin with a tutorial about volleyball front and back row hits, attack names and set calls. Volleyball, like many other sports, has developed special formations, plays, and shorthand language used in competition to keep play running quickly and smoothly, and we'll explore these different strategies. However, first, we’ll explain the terms and names used in volleyball to describe the sets, attacks, and hits so you can more easily understand the different movements the names refer to.
Volleyball Attack and Set Terms
These are the basic terms used to describe the mechanical approaches of practically every attack. A "set" is the action of a setter who strategically places the ball to give the attacker the best opportunity to return it. An "attack set" is specifically designed to set the ball in a particular place and at a height that allows the attacker to spike the ball forcefully.
- In-system: A team is “in-system” when the serves, receptions, and passes are good enough for the setter to maintain all their attacking options.
- Out-of-system: "Out-of-system" is when the setter's options are limited, or they can't play the second ball because of a poor pass or dig.
- 1st, 2nd or 3rd-step tempos: This refers to the number of steps you take toward the net before you hit or spike the ball. The 1st and 2nd tempos require a high-quality pass, and the 3rd tempo is used for an out-of-system attack.
Specific Set Names
In the heat of a well-trained team’s volleyball game, you’ll often hear the setter calling out the set names so the other players can get in position and know what to expect. The set names are kept purposely short so the players can react quickly. The set names include:
- Go: One of the most commonly used sets, “Go” is an in-system 2nd-step tempo set aimed at the outside hitter on the court’s left side.
- Hut: “Hut” is an out-of-system 1st-step tempo also hit to an attacker on the left side of the court.
- Red: This is an in-system, fast-paced, 2nd-step tempo aimed at the opposite attacker on the court's right side.
- 5: a “5” is an out-of-system, 1st-step tempo set to the opposite attacker on the court’s right side.
- Gap / 31: This set is called either “gap” or “31”. It’s an in-system, 3rd-step tempo set to the middle hitter between the left sideline and middle of the court.
- 1: This is an in-system 3rd or 4th tempo set to a middle attacker in front of the setter. Some players call this set a “quick.”
- Back-1: This 3rd or 4th tempo set is in-system and aimed at the middle attacked behind the setter.
- 2: This is a high, 2nd-step tempo aimed at an attacker in the middle of the court.
- Slide: The “slide” is a 2nd-heading, 3rd-step tempo back set to a middle attacker jumping off of one foot on the court's right side.
- Bic: This is an in-system, 2nd or 3rd-step tempo set to a back-row mid-court attacker.
- D: “D” is the name of a volleyball 2nd-step tempo set to a back-row attacker on the court’s right side.
- Setter dump: This is a one-handed, 2nd-contact attack by a front-row setter scoring a kill instead of setting the ball to one of the nearby attackers.
- Setover: This is a front-row or back-row, 2nd-contact set by a setter who attempts a kill by aiming the ball to an empty area of the opponent's court.
