Register TODAY! for my
Coach April's
May 16 -17 and 30 -31
Spiking and Hitting clinics
Email: info@improveyourvolley.com for info or to register for this weekend's clinics!
- Improve Your Volleyball with Coach April
- Volleyball Checklist
- Action Words For Volleyball Digging
Two Action Words For Volleyball Digging The Six Pack and The Facial
These two action words for volleyball digging that explain what's a six pack and the facial are digging actions explain how to dig a volleyball using your face.
There are two terms in volleyball that describe what happens when you dig the ball using your face instead of using your hands.
I'm not joking.
Many times in competition if it hasn't happened to you already you may face a hitter who has a fast arm swing.
Their arm swing may be so fast that you don't have time to put your hands up to dig a ball that they hit that's coming right at your face.
Sooo you end up digging the ball with your face!
These Two Action Words For Volleyball Explain How You Dig A Volleyball
When Your Face Takes The Place of Your Hands
The two words that describe volleyball digging actions are
- the six pack - one way that explains how to dig with your face
- the facial - another way to explain how to dig with your face
Players who dig alot of balls in a game don't always use their hands.
Sometimes whether on purpose, or on accident, other body parts are used to keep the ball in play.
The two phrases I just talked about are commonly used terms in volleyball that you should familiarize yourself with because experienced players use these terms regularly.
Action Words For Volleyball Digging About The Six Pack and The Facial
What does a 'six pack' have to do with how you dig a volleyball?
The six pack is one of the more famous terms in volleyball used to describe how a player can dig a ball without using their hands.
Others know about this word unfortunately, because they experienced the "six pack" on the court firsthand.
Usually, when it happens it can be a memorable and quite often, an embarassing situation.
When you get "six packed" the term takes on a whole different sometimes painful meaning.
In this case it means you faced a spiker on an opposing team who spiked a ball that hit you hard in the face, in the chest or square in the upper body leaving you stunned, surprised and often times with a stinging bruise that occasionally leaves a mark.
Just for the record, what usually gets bruised the most on players that get "six packed" are their egos.
A player can be 'six packed' while they are in serve receive by a server on the opposite team who has an insanely strong jump serve.
Or they can get 'sixpacked' while they are in defense and they get hit by a ball attacked by a strong hitting spiker with a fast arm swing.
Check out the video for an example of...
Action Words For Volleyball Digging About The Six Pack and The Facial
What Happens After You're Six Packed?
How does a six pack happen?
When it happens, its because the ball was served or spiked so hard and so fast that if you were the defensive player trying to dig or pass the volleyball, you didn't have time to put your hands up to make a defensive move to deflect or dig it, so the ball hit you ...hard..on some part of your face or body.
According to the players who invented the phrase, when a hitter hits the ball hard enough to catch a defensive player by surprise, hitting them so hard they can't dig the ball up, the digger must follow an old school volleyball tradition, which is to "pay" the spiker a six pack of their favorite beverage.
Back in the day the "six pack" referred to a 'six pack of beer' and in many long running indoor and outdoor tournaments it still means the same today.
This tradition, both actual and symbolic is still deeply embedded in American volleyball culture and is destined to stay a part of it for a long time.
Shop the FACIAL and the
SIX Pack Volleybragswag volleyball shirts in my ETSY shop.
Action Words For Volleyball Digging About The Six Pack and The Facial
Where To Go From Here
Where do you need to go now? Here are three options:
- Learn more about Volleyball Words by checking the links in Related Links section.
- Follow the suggested reading on our Sitemap page (Sitemap)
- Or visit the pages in the How To Play Volleyball section in the drop down menu at the top of the page.
You might like these
pages on terms, slang, jargon and lingo in the pages below!
Unlock the Secrets of Setter Slang and Terminology for a Fast Offense
Unlock the secrets of setter slang and terminology to boost your volleyball offense. Learn about key second tempo sets and incorporate them into your strategy.
Setting In Volleyball: My Guide To The Basic Slow Offense Setter Calls
I'll teach you the volleyball setting calls and offensive plays that beginner players learn and work on in freshman practices including four, two and five sets.
Volleyball Hits Ten Types of Spiking Attacking And Hitting Terms
Why do elite hitters score in 10 different ways while others only know 2? Master all 16 volleyball hits and become unstoppable. Full terminology breakdown.
25 Volleyball Communication Terms for Effective On-Court Strategy
Elevate your game with volleyball communication terms for specific positions, non-verbal cues and tips for effective on-court communication in competition.
Words Used In Volleyball: Basic Terms, Slang, Phrases, Jargon, Lingo
Explore the extensive list of words used in volleyball with basic slang, lingo and vocabulary terms often used on the court by players and coaches and fans.
Four Types of Volleyball Blocks Varsity Volleyball Players Should Know
These blocking terms describe the four types of volleyball blocks varsity players know to do: one-on-one blocking, double block, triple block and swing blocking.
Basic Volleyball Terms For Blocking A Ball At The Net For Points
A double block is one of the basic volleyball terms for blocking that describes when 2 players jump to cover cross court or the line to stop an attack hit.
The Volleyball Dig Pass: 5 Types of Digs For Passing A Ball In Defense
The volleyball dig pass is a term that describes how to pass a hard driven ball in defense using techniques like the Gator, Flipper, Pancake, Shank and J Stroke
14 Volleyball Hitting Terms That Explore The Spike, Attack and Hit
By familiarizing yourself with these 14 volleyball hitting terms and attack techniques you'll learn the attack skills and the offensive game much faster.
Spiking Volleyball Vocabulary Words A Directory of Hitting Term Pages
Start here to find a directory of the pages on Improve Your Volley that explain how to spike, improve your hits and other hitting volleyball vocabulary words.
2 Dig Volleyball Definition Terms For Liberos and Defensive Players
The dig volleyball definition for two terms with explanations for an "up" and what "tagged" means which describe what happens in back court defense.
Words Related To Volleyball Digging A Ball What Does Lip A Ball Mean?
These words related to volleyball digging are "dig lips" or "digging lips" refer to a defensive player who digs a hard hitter multiple times in the same play.
Types of Volleyball Hits: 5 Attack Techniques I Teach My Club Hitters
Discover in this article, how I show you the different types of volleyball hits I teach my Vegas Volley club 18s players-from basic spikes to strategic shots.
The Volleyball Wipe Wiping The Block And What's A Wipe in Volleyball?
The "volleyball wipe" is a great hitting option for short outside hitters who need a way "to beat the block" and to score a sideout or point for their team.
3 Types of Hits in Volleyball The Tool, The Wipe and Hitting The Line
There are other names for an attack or hit used in volleyball like 'tool', 'wipe' and 'hitting line' that're 3 types of hits in volleyball used to score points.
Common Terminology Volleyball Hitters And Attackers In Volleyball Know
Learn the terminology volleyball hitters and attackers in volleyball know when spiking the ball softly like tip, dink, cutty, tomahawk, joust, pokey and poke.
The Down Ball in Volleyball Is A Hard Attack Hit With No Approach Jump
The "down ball in volleyball" is a volleyball term that hitters use for attacking the ball on the court without using a spike approach jump to score points.
If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.
Struggling with passing consistency?
I help talented passers tired of getting pulled from games because of inconsistent serve receive skills BUILD passing confidence without expensive private lessons using the same 3-step system that's helped dozens of my athletes get recruited.
Download my eBook for $17.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.
AUTHOR BIO
April Chapple is an elite private volleyball trainer, former USA National Team member, and University of Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee who has coached in Las Vegas for 15+ years, training hundreds of athletes and helping numerous players reach college volleyball, including Division I standouts.
She's also the head coach for girls and boys 18s at Squad VBC and offers coaches consulting on technical teaching and player development. Connect with April on LinkedIn or at ImproveYourVolley.com, where her eye for overlooked talent sets her apart.
From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Honored At UTK Champions Weekend
Lady Vol volleyball legend and record holder Coach April Chapple a University of Tennessee, Knoxville Hall of Fame Inductee, 3-time All American, 3-time SEC Champion, SEC Tournament MVP, 2-time All SEC Team is celebrated with her 1984 SEC champion teammates at Neyland Stadium during Champions Weekend on November 1-2, 2024.
- the first First Round Draft Pick for the first American pro indoor women's league
- named to the first First Team All-Pro team for Major League Volleyball in USA volleyball history
- former USA National team member
- one of the few American women players named as an Italian Pro League D-I Championship Finalist, Italian Cup Finalist and Cup of Cups Tournament Finalist
April Chapple The first First round Draft Pick For Major League Volleyball the first American Women's Pro League Honored At Athlete Unlimited Pro Volleyball Match
Coach April's 2026-27 Private and Semi private Volleyball Training
Pre-Registration now open for 2026-27 Private and Semiprivate Training Sessions with Coach April . Get prepared for club tryouts or train with me during club season!
Email now for information on semiprivate or private indoor skills, individual or small group training volleyball classes and my Breakfast Club for College Players training for 2026-27.
Invest in your improvement while preepping for your next level and college goals while working hard and training smart.
Email me right now to register or for more information.
info@improveyourvolley.com
Affiliate Disclosure
If you make a purchase through a link on my site, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
I only recommend products that I believe to have good value. Click to read my
Donations Welcome!
If my free social media online training and/or instruction on this site has helped improve your game or meet your goals CLICK the Cash App link below to make a donation!
Thank you!
Can't hire a private trainer?
Get my Targeted Volleyball Checklist Bundles by Skill Level
(only $27 each)
Bundle #1:
Complete Beginner Serving System - $27
Complete Beginner Serving System: The Ultimate Support System for Beginners
Click to Download Your Pre Serving Ritual Mastery Checklist pdf:
🎯Volleyball Pre Serving Ritual Guide - $7
Transform Your Serve from Weak to Weapon
Stop letting pressure situations destroy your serves?
You'll Get
- ✓3-bounce physical preparation setup system
- ✓Mental routine for target pre-selection and visualization
- ✓Technical execution checklist for automatic consistency
- ✓Proven tips for bulletproof toss consistency
- ✓Pressure-proof strategies that eliminate serving errors
Click to Download Your Parent's Volleyball Serving Guide Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves (Even If You've Never Played) Checklist pdf:
🎯Parent's Volleyball Serving Guide Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves Guide - $7
You'll Get:
✓Learn exactly what to look for in your player's serving form so you can provide meaningful feedback.
✓Discover how to provide encouragement that actually improves performance and mental toughness.
✓Know exactly what to ask coaches to show you're engaged and help your player develop properly.
✓Simple, effective drills that don't require a gym or expensive equipment.
✓Understand the language coaches use so you can better support your player's development.
✓Help your player develop the psychological aspects of serving that many coaches don't have time to address.
From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?
What Are You Looking For?
Click to Download Your Pre Serving Ritual Mastery Checklist pdf:
🎯Volleyball Pre Serving Ritual Guide -
Players! Learn How To Transform Your Serve from Weak to Weapon
Click to Download Your Parent's Volleyball Serving Checklist pdf
🎯Parent's Volleyball Serving Checklist Guide
Parents! Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves (Even If You've Never Played)
Hi there!
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you learned something today that will help you reach your volleyball goals.
Be sure to subscribe to my email newsletter so you can learn more each week!
Stay strong! Stay motivated!
-Coach April
SUSCRIBE to my email newsletter below!
Click to learn more about the weekly volleyball classes and clinics or email info@imrpoveyourvolley.com for information
Congratulations to my seven Boys-18s Vegas Volley club players who played in two state championship finals yesterday, the 3A and 5A State champinship finals at Sunrise Mountain High School.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!
A-1 Vegas Volley VBC
In It To Win It Tournament
May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament
Gold Medalists
18s Premier Division
Vegas Volleyball's Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Moms with Peace Love Volleyball Shirts
Ready to energize your volleyball mom journey?
Subscribe to my 'Producing Powerful Passionate Peaceful Players' email list above on ImproveYourVolley.com.
You'll receive energy-boosting tips, exclusive insights from me, Coach April Chapple on maintaining momentum in volleyball.
Let's power up the Vegas volleyball scene together!
Recent Articles
-
Team Building Activities for Volleyball: A Freshman Coach's Guide
May 12, 26 11:05 PM
Boost Your Freshmen Team's Chemistry! Discover fun and effective team building activities for volleyball freshmen players to improve communication and teamwork. -
2 High School Volleyball Tips On How To Use Your Communications Skills
May 10, 26 12:21 AM
One of my high school volleyball tips is to be the back row quarterback who maximizes your communication skills to help guide your team through every play. -
How To Improve In Volleyball The Volleycats Elite Volleyball Club Way
May 10, 26 12:17 AM
When I became club director of my own Volleycats Elite Club I created a strategic practice and conditioning plan for players on how to improve in volleyball.