Attacking
NCAA Wording:
“Any ball that is played over the net in an attempt to score a point should be considered an attack.”
This includes balls that are: spiked, set, tipped or hit as an overhead contact
Key Takeaway:
Any “attempt to score"
Balls played to simply keep the ball alive should not be considered an attack attempt
A first contact ball that is dug back over the net and kept in play is not considered an attack attempt
A first contact ball that is dug back over the net and lands for a point in play is considered a kill
Attack Outcomes:
“Kill” - Any time an attack is unreturnable by the opposition. This includes opponent blocking errors.
“Error” - Any time an attack directly leads to a point for the opponent.
“Attempt” or “0 Attack” - Any attack attempt that does not result in play ending.
Some examples:
The set is bad and the attacker simply tries to keep the ball in play.
No attempt is recorded. Player did not attampt to score, only tried to keep ball in play.
A player accidentally over-passes a ball kept in play by the opponent.
No attempt is recorded. Player did not attampt to score.
An attacked is blocked back onto their own side. Opponent scores a point as a result of the block.
Attacker is given an attacking error. The opponent scored a point as a direct result of the attack.
An attacker is called for a center-line fault during their attack.
Attacker is given an attacking error. The opponent scored a point as a direct result of the attack.
A setter sets or “dumps" the ball over on the second contact resulting in a point.
Setter is given an attacking kill. They scored a point as a direct result of their attack.
A setter sets or “dumps" the ball over on the second contact but is called for a back-row violation.
Setter is given an attacking error. The opponent scored a point as a direct result of the attack.
Setting
NCAA Wording:
“Player passes, sets or digs the ball to a teammate who attacks the ball”
This includes when a player attacks the ball on only the second contact
Key Takeaway:
Does not only apply to a “set” with the hands
Attack Outcomes:
“Assist” - when a player passes, sets or digs ball to a teammate who gets a kill.
“Ball Handling Error” - When an assist attempt results in an error such as a double contact, lift or throw.
“Attempt” - An assist attempt that does not result in a kill.
Some examples:
First contact: Teammate 1 forearm passes to teammate 2. Second contact: Teammate 2 attacks the ball for a kill.
Assist is recorded. It does not matter that the assist attempt was the first contact nor that it was a forearm pass. The contact directly led to a teammate scoring with a kill.
Team A forearm passes the ball over the net. Team B attacks the ball back for a kill.
NO Setting Stat is recorded. An assist is only awarded if the attempt leads to a teammate recording a kill.
Teammate 1 makes a great play and, in the statisticians eye, is only trying to keep the ball in play. Teammate 2 is still able to attack and get a kill.
Assist is recorded. Whether teammate 1 intended to get an assist or not is unimportant. A ball handling move directly leading to a kill is always an assist.
Serving and Receiving
Serve Outcomes:
“Ace” - a serve that directly results in a point.
This includes: if the serve directly hits the floor, if the serve is passed but cannot be kept in play, if the referee calls a violation on the pass (lift, double contact), or if the opposing team is called out of rotation.
“Error” - a serve that directly results in a point for the opponent
This includes: If the serve fails to go over the net, if the serve goes out, if the server foot-faults or takes too much time, if the server’s teammates are called out of rotation.
If the team is called out of rotation due to the wrong player serving, the player who was supposed to serve gets charged with the error.
“Attempt” - Any other serve
When using Stat Together to record stats:
Stat Together: Volleyball lets you record the rating of the pass coming off the server on a 0-3 scale (better passes get a higher score). This gives teams a good idea of how effective a server is when the ball is kept in play. How your team rates a pass is up to your statistician - as long as they stay consistent. Here’s our recommendation:
“3” - Receiving team passed the serve very well. A back row setter would have the ability to set all 3 front row options off a “3” pass.
“2” - Receiving team passed the ball well enough for an assist attempt, although not quite a perfect pass. The setter does not have the ability to set some attackers (usually the middle) because the pass is not exactly where it needs to be.
“1” - Receiving team passed the ball and it is kept in play, but they are not able to set an attacker. More often than not, the result of this pass is a free ball back to the serving team.
“0” - An ace
Some examples:
Receiving team passes the serve back over the net where a serving team player then attacks the ball down for a kill.
While the pass was not good, this is NOT recorded as an ace - only a serve attempt. The point came from the attacker’s swing, not as a direct result of the serve. Stat Together rating: “1”
Receiving team passes the ball poorly. A teammate attempts to keep the ball in play but hits the ball into the net.
While the pass was not good, this is NOT recorded as an ace - only a serve attempt. The point came after the second teammate attempted to keep the ball in and failed. Stat Together rating: “1”
Player 1 serves the ball. Referee whistles and calls the team out of rotation because Player 2 was supposed to be the current server.
Because it was Player 2’s responsibility to serve, Player 2 is charged with the serving error.
Blocking
NCAA Wording:
“A block is awarded when a player(s) blocks the ball that comes off an attack into the opponent’s court, leading directly to a point”
Blocking Outcomes:
“Solo Block” - When a single player blocks the ball into the opponent’s court leading directly to a point. That player must be the only blocker attempting to block the ball.
“Block Assist” - When two or three players block the ball into the opponent’s court leading directly to a point. Each player blocking receives a block assist, even if only one player makes contact with the ball
“Block Error” - When the play is called dead by the referee due to a fault by the blocker. This includes: touching the net, a center line fault, reaching over the net, back row blocking, or a thrown ball during a block.
Key Takeaway:
A ball that is blocked back to the other side but then recovered by the attacking team is not considered a block. A block has to directly result in a point to be counted in the stat sheet.
Only record a “Solo Block” or a “Block Assist” on each play. Never both.
An attack that goes off of (aka “tools”) the block and out of play for a kill is not considered a blocking error. The point may be due to bad blocking form or due to a well placed attack. Statisticians are not meant to be a judge of technique so nothing is charged against the blocker.
Some examples:
Player 1 and Player 2 go up together and block a ball down for a point. Player 1 was the only one to make contact with the ball.
Both players are awarded a “Block Assist”. Both players set up the block together to force the block, it does not matter where the ball made contact.
Player 1 and Player 2 both go up to block but are a few feet apart from each other. Player 1 blocks the ball down for a point.
This is a judgement call by the statistician. If, in the eyes of the statistician, the players worked together to achieve the block, a Block Assist should be awarded to both players. If not, Player 1 receives a Solo Block.
Digging
NCAA Wording:
“A block is awarded when a player(s) blocks the ball that comes off an attack into the opponent’s court, leading directly to a point”
Digging Outcomes:
“Solo Block” - When a single player blocks the ball into the opponent’s court leading directly to a point. That player must be the only blocker attempting to block the ball.