Volleyball Moms Learn The Lingo Of On-Court Volleyball Communication

Unlock the secret language of on-court volleyball communication by liberos and backrow players, boost your volleyball IQ and support your player's growth.

As a volleyball mom, understanding the on-court volleyball communication of the defensive specialist position can help you better support your player, regardless of their age or skill level. (Photo by Denis Wright)

Today, I want to speak to the moms of young liberos, future defensive specialists and up-and-coming back court players who have to learn on-court volleyball communication that defensive players speak and use among themselves and to the hitters that they support in the front row.  

As a volleyball mom, understanding the unique language of the defensive specialist position can help you better support your player, regardless of their age or skill level.

As a volleyball mom, understanding the unique language of the defensive specialist position can help you better support your player, regardless of their age or skill level.

Whether you're cheering on a budding tween player, encouraging a teenage intermediate player on the JV team, or supporting a varsity starter, this guide will boost your volleyball IQ and make you an invaluable resource for your athlete.

The backrow player is substituted into or rotates back to the Zone 1 position to serve, then stays only in the backrow to pass and play defense in Zone 6 and Zone 5 before being substituted out to be replaced by a front row player. (photo by rraiderstyle)

- The Back-row player:

The backrow player is substituted into or rotates back to the Zone 1 position to serve, then stays only in the backrow to pass and play defense in Zone 6 and Zone 5 before being substituted out to be replaced by a front row player. 

Liberos and six rotation players as well as defensive specialists are also called backrow players. 

- The Defensive Specialist:

A defensive specialist has the same responsibilities that a libero has with these exceptions

• wears the same colored jersey as everyone else on the team
• can jump and hit the ball when its above the level of the net - (a libero cannot)

The feedback a setter communicates to a passer, like a libero, to let them know that "that' pass was good enough for them to run the offense the way they need to run it ...making it easy for the setter to get to the ball (photo Erik Drost)

The communication between a libero (the backrow quarterback) and setter (the front row quarterback)  is important for a volleyball team's success.

This libero setter on-court volleyball communication often involves specific terms to provide each other feedback on the quality of each pass and the options for offensive strategies.

- "Perfect" or "Good"

The feedback a setter communicates to a passer, like a libero, to let them know that "that' pass was good enough for them to run the offense the way they need to run it ...making it easy for the setter to get to the ball

A pass that's right on target, also called "an in-system" pass, allowing the setter multiple offensive options.

- "Off":

The feedback a passer communicates to the setter when they know they just passed a ball that's "off the net" alerting the setter that they'll have to move to position themselves to a ball that's not coming right to them.

A pass that's not ideal but still playable, alerting the setter they may need to come further off the net to get to the ball.

- "Help":

The feedback a passer who completed a pass that's not going right to the setter, possibly a shanked ball, alerting her/his teammates that someone is going to have to scramble to get the mis-passed ball that is not going to the setter so someone needs to step in and "help" the setter get to the second ball

In other words this is a call for assistance when the setter in the front row or the libero or a back court player in the backrow is out of position and struggling to reach the ball.

The feedback a setter communicates to a passer, like a libero, to let them know that "that' pass was good enough for them to run the offense the way they need to run it ...making it easy for the setter to get to the ball (photo Erik Drost)

Liberos are like the quarterbacks of volleyball defense. Their libero defensive volleyball communication helps the entire team adjust to the opponent's tactics:

- "Line" or "Cross":

These calls are

• made by the passers to each other 
• in order to communicate to each other in serve receive 
• where they expect a serve (or a hit) to land in their court 
• before it crosses the net 
• which is a way teammates help teammates decide where to position themselves

- "Deep" or "Short":

Same as above but used to describe the depth (how deep in the court or how close to the ten foot line) they think an opponent's serve will land, with the intention of helping teammates adjust their serve receive formation accordingly.

- "Seam":

A call that alerts teammates in serve receive that an opposing server could possibly serving a ball to a seam in the court which is the space between two passers. 

A seam is also the space between two blockers going up together to stop a hitter's spike attack 

A seam is also the space between two blockers going up together to stop a hitter's spike attack (volleyball blocking texas longhorns ralph arvesan photo hitting high seam)

- Free Ball:

An easy ball sent over the net as opposed to a hard attack hit that has pace and speed and is harder to dig and

Its a ball that's usually passed over the net making it easier to get to and run a counterattack with

Beach volleyball blocker communicates hand signals to her server which tells the server where she should serve and what she will block. (photo by Ralph Aversen)

Not all volleyball communication is vocal. Setters are the offensive quarterbacks that use a lot of non-verbal cues to call offensive plays and strategies. 

Hands Signals For Setters in Volleyball

Hand signal for a one or a quick set in the middle. Hand signal "hang loose" often used by setters in volleyball to call a back One.

Hand signal often used by setters in volleyball for a "Shoot set" or a "Go" set. Hand signal often used by setters in volleyball for a "Shoot set" or a "Go" set.

- Hand Signals:

Liberos use a variety of hand signals to indicate serve receive formations or defensive adjustments.

These can range from simple finger counts to more complex gestures.

- Body Positioning:

The way a passer positions themselves on the court can communicate volumes to their teammates. A slight shift can indicate where they expect the ball to go.

- Eye Contact:

A quick glance between a libero and their teammates can confirm assignments or signal a change in strategy.

Effective on-court volleyball communication isn't just about words or signals; it's also about attitude and energy:

- Positive Body Language:

A libero's confident posture can inspire the entire team.

- Enthusiasm:

Celebrating great plays (even small ones) can boost team morale.

Most teams after each play will come to the middle of their court and clap or say something before going back to their base position in serve receive or in defense

- Composure:

Staying calm under pressure communicates strength to teammates.

As players progress from youth leagues to high school and potentially college, their volleyball communication skills will need to evolve:

- Youth:

Focus on basic calls and positive encouragement.

- High School:

Introduce more complex defensive communication and non-verbal cues.

- College:

Master and memorize advanced strategy communication and leadership skills.

Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

As a volleyball mom, your support and encouragement can make a big difference in your child's communication development.

By understanding these aspects of on-court volleyball communication, you're not just helping your player become a better defender – you're supporting their growth as a leader, team player, and effective communicator both on and off the court.

Remember, the skills your child develops through volleyball communication – clear expression, quick thinking, and teamwork – will serve them well in all aspects of life.

So keep practicing, keep encouraging, and watch with pride as your libero becomes a master communicator!

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