Cross – An attack aimed toward the opposite back corner. For instance, a cross hit by a left (outside) hitter would aim toward the back right corner of the opposing team’s court. Cross hits may be used by the left or right side hitter.
Line – An attack aimed to the nearest back corner. For instance, a line hit by a left (outside) hitter would aim down the line toward the back left corner of the opposing team’s court. Line shots may be used by the left or right side hitter.
Slice – An angled attack aimed close to the net. Slices are similar to cross hits but land closer to the net rather than near the back corner of the opposing team’s court. Slices may be used by the left or right side hitter.
Dump – An attack performed on the second hit of a team. Dumps are usually done by the setter, but may also be done by any player on the team.
Free Ball – A ball that has been forearm passed by a player on one team to the opposing team’s court. A ‘free’ ball often occurs when the first and second touches don’t result in a set to an attacker and thus the team must simply pass the ball back to the opposing team.
When your team gets a free ball, everything possible should be done to run a quick attack or give the ball to the ‘go to’ spiker who should definitely score a point.
Tip – An attack in which the hitter touches the ball with the tips of their fingers and causes the ball to go over the net (often tipping over the blockers hands).
Tool – A slang term for intentionally hitting the ball such that it touches a blockers hand in a way that the other team is unable to play the ball. This usually means causing the ball to ricochet out of bounds after hitting the blockers hand.
Wipe (swipe) – A horizontal swipe of a hitters arm to make the ball deflect off an opposing blocker’s outside hand. When the hitter wipes the block for a point, it means the blocker was the last person to touch the ball before it lands out of bounds, outside of the sidelines.
Back row attack – An attack by one of the three players in the back row. Back row attacks can result from poor sets but can also be used intentionally to confused the opposing team or when particularly strong hitters are in the back row. Types of back row attacks include A, B (or pipe, C
Joust: A situation when the ball falls directly on top of the net and two opposing players jump and push against the ball, trying to push it onto the other’s side.
Roll shot: An offensive play similar to a hit or spike, but performed by making contact underneath the ball and moving your arm in an upwards motion which causes the ball to “roll” over the block with top spin and drop quickly. Roll shots are meant to go high enough to avoid a block, but not too far back.
A: A back row attack from the left side of the court.
B (Pipe): A back attack from the middle of the court.
C : A back row attack from the right side of the court.