court![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Hard rectangular surface (30 ft x 60 ft) on which a volleyball game is played; the first team to win three sets wins the game.
attack line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line 10 ft from the net; the backs must make attack hits from behind this line.
net ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Loosely stitched divider stretched across the middle of the court; players must hit the ball over it.
center back ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Position in the back zone; this player’s main role is to recover long balls and blocked balls.
right back ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Position on the right side of the back zone; this player’s main role is making digs on short balls.
linesman ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
One of four officials who use a red flag to signal a dead ball, service faults, contact with the antennas, etc.
sideline ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line that demarcates the sides of the play area; a rally ends when the ball falls outside the sideline.
referee ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official responsible for applying the rules; this individual follows the game from a raised platform set up at one end of the net.
center attacker ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Position that covers the center of the attack zone; this player’s main role is to counter the opponent’s attacks.
right attacker ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Position to the right of the attack zone; this player’s main role is making attack hits to score points.
libero ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Position specialized in receiving serves; this player only plays back while other teammates change positions during the course of a game.
white tape ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Strip of tape with a cable passing through it; it is attached to posts to suspend the net.
antenna ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Flexible rods at each end of the net; they mark off the net area and the ball must stay inside them to remain in play.
post ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Upright used to stretch the net using white tape; the top of the net is just over 2 m above floor level.
vertical side band ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Vertical strip of white canvas at the ends of the net.
left back ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Position on the left side of the back zone; this player’s main role is making digs on short balls.
attack zone ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Area between the net and the attack line; it is usually occupied by the attackers.
left attacker ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Position to the left of the attack zone; this player’s main role is making attack hits to score points.
umpire ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official who signals net faults or faults committed on the attack line and advises the referee when required.
scorer ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official who fills in the score sheet, calls stoppages in play and supervises player rotations.
players’ bench ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Area for substitute players and coaches; a team can have 12 players, six of whom are on the court during play.
back zone ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Area between the attack line and the end line; it is usually occupied by the backs.
free zone ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Area at least 6.5 ft wide surrounding the court.
end line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line demarcating the ends of the court; the right back takes position behind this line to deliver a serve.
volleyball ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Inflated ball covered with soft leather and with a circumference of about 26 in; it must always be hit and cannot be held or thrown.