Volleyball Study Guide



Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
 

1. 
What parts of the hands should contact the ball in hitting the overhand pass?
A.
the heels of the hands, finger pads, and thumbs
B.
the finger pads and the thumbs
C.
the palms of the hands, finger pads, and thumbs
D.
only the thumbs and finger pads of the first two fingers
 

2. 
Which parts of the hands supply the primary force in hitting an overhand pass?
A.
the heels of the hands, finger pads, and thumbs
B.
the finger pads and thumbs
C.
the finger pads of the last three fingers
D.
the thumbs and finger pads of the first two fingers
 

3. 
What is the position of the hands when executing the overhand pass?
A.
the thumbs and index fingers form a triangle
B.
the thumbs and index fingers form a U
C.
the thumbs and index fingers form a diamond
D.
the thumbs and index fingers form a W
 

4. 
What is the position of the hands in the followthrough in hitting an overhand pass?
A.
the hands stop as soon as the ball is contacted
B.
the hands are pulled back away from the ball on contact
C.
the hands follow the ball until the arms are completely extended
D.
the hands move upward and then out away from the midline of the player's body
 

5. 
What causes the most illegal hits on the overhand pass?
A.
one hand following through ahead of the other
B.
slapping the ball
C.
passing on the run
D.
hitting the ball too soon
 

6. 
The player is hitting an overhand pass.  The player's legs are not bent.  What will result?
A.
a good hit
B.
loss of ball control
C.
loss of power
D.
over hitting
 

7. 
A player is hitting a back overhand pass.  The ball is hit at a position above and slightly behind the player's head.  What will result?
A.
a flat pass
B.
a pass straight up
C.
an overhit
D.
a good pass
 

8. 
Which factor is most critical when spiking?
A.
making sure the hit is in front of the body
B.
making sure the set is good
C.
making sure the arm is cocked with the elbow leading
D.
making sure the hand contacts the ball above the center of gravity
 

9. 
What is the most important factor to consider when spiking?
A.
jumping as high as possible
B.
timing the moving ball accurately
C.
hitting the ball as hard as possible
D.
placing the ball to an open area
 

10. 
What is the spiker's first responsibility?
A.
spiking the ball as hard as possible
B.
hitting the ball into an open area
C.
getting the ball over the net
D.
keeping the ball inside the boundary line
 

11. 
Which techniques are recommended for successful spiking?
A.
one-foot takeoff and closed hand
B.
two-foot takeoff and closed hand
C.
one-foot takeoff and open hand
D.
two-foot takeoff and open hand
 

12. 
Which action is most crucial to the placement of a spiked ball?
A.
hitting on-hand
B.
following through with the fingers
C.
contacting the ball with the heel of the hand
D.
rotating the shoulders
 

13. 
Many beginning spikers try to get all their power from which movement?
A.
arm swing
B.
shoulder rotation
C.
forward momentum of run
D.
wrist action
 

14. 
Which movements contribute to the power in hitting a spike?
A.
wrist and arm extension, upper body rotation, and jump
B.
wrist and arm extension, approach, and jump
C.
wrist and arm extension, upper body rotation, and approach
D.
upper body rotation, jump, and approach
 

15. 
How far should a spiker be from the net at the beginning of the approach?
A.
two steps
B.
three steps
C.
3 to 5 feet
D.
8 to 10 feet
 

16. 
From where on the court should a spiker begin his or her approach?
A.
1 to 2 feet outside the sideline
B.
the sideline
C.
1 to 2 feet inside the sideline
D.
3 to 5 feet inside the sideline
 

17. 
Why is an approach desirable in hitting a spike?
A.
it increases the accuracy of the hit
B.
it increases the height of the jump
C.
it gives the spiker more control in jumping
D.
it gives the spiker more time to judge the set
 

18. 
What movements contribute to the height of the jump in hitting a spike?
A.
leg extension
B.
upward movement of the arms
C.
arching of the back
D.
leg extension and upward movement of the arms
 

19. 
How high should a player jump to hit a spike?
A.
as high as possible
B.
3 feet off the floor
C.
until the spiking hand is above the net
D.
3 feet above the net
 

20. 
What is the position of the spiker's hand at the beginning of the forward swing to hit the ball?
A.
over the spiker's right shoulder
B.
out to the side of the spiker's shoulder
C.
over the spiker's head
D.
above and slightly behind the spiker's head
 

21. 
How should contact be made with the ball on the spike?
A.
the player contacts the ball with the hand made into a fist
B.
the player contacts the ball with the fingers
C.
the player contacts the ball with the heel of the hand and then the rest of the hand
D.
the player contacts the ball with the four knuckles on the hitting hand
 

22. 
How can the force of landing after a spike best be absorbed?
A.
by landing on the toes of both fee and bending at the ankles and knees
B.
by landing on the total area of the feet with the legs bending at the ankles and knees
C.
by landing in a side stride position with the legs bending at the ankles and knees
D.
by landing in a side stride position with a rebound bounce
 

23. 
The spiker hits the net as he or she executes the spike. What might have caused the spiker to do this?
A.
the takeoff was made from one foot
B.
the approach was made too soon
C.
the ball was hit too late
D.
the spiker's arm was not extended at contact
 

24. 
A player consistently spikes the ball into the net.  What might correct this error?
A.
hitting the ball later
B.
taking a longer approach
C.
hitting the ball sooner
D.
decreasing the arm action
 

25. 
What is the difference in hitting a spike and a dink?
A.
the height of the jump
B.
the position of the arm at the beginning of the forward swing
C.
the amount of wrist action
D.
the amount of shoulder rotation before the hit
 

26. 
What is a common error on the dink?
A.
hitting the ball into the net
B.
flexing the wrist to give the ball direction
C.
carrying the ball with the fingers and palm
D.
using it too often
 

27. 
What direction should a player face when preparing to jump to block a "spike"?
A.
squarely facing the net
B.
sideways to the net
C.
facing the opposing team's setter
D.
facing the line of the spiker's approach
 

28. 
How are the player's hands positioned for a block?
A.
open, fingers rigid and close together
B.
open, fingers relaxed and close together
C.
open, fingers rigid and spread apart
D.
open, fingers relaxed and spread apart
 

29. 
What part of the player's body should contact the ball on the block?
A.
fingers
B.
wrist
C.
palm
D.
whole hand
 

30. 
What should player be watching when getting ready to block?
A.
the ball
B.
the setter
C.
the spiker
D.
the net
 

31. 
A player has blocked a spike.  Which statement best describes the desired followthrough?
A.
hands follow through in the direction of the intended flight of the ball
B.
hands follow through straight ahead
C.
there is no follow-through
D.
hands are drawn back away from the net.
 

32. 
This is the easiest serve to learn but it the opposition has very little difficulty playing it. 
A.
the sidearm serve
B.
the underhand serve
C.
the overhand floater serve
D.
the overhand topspin serve
 

33. 
What is the server's primary responsibility?
A.
to direct the ball to the back corners of the opponent's court
B.
to direct the ball to the weakest player on the receiving team
C.
to get the ball over the net and within the court
D.
to hit a serve that has great velocity
 

34. 
What is the most important aspect of the serve?
A.
the placement of the ball
B.
the speed of the ball
C.
the spin on the ball
D.
the height of the ball
 

35. 
What type of serve moves in unpredictable directions making it difficult for the receiver to pass the ball?
A.
topspin serve
B.
floater serve
C.
sidearm serve
D.
roundhouse serve
 

36. 
What type of serve drops very fast after it crosses the net?
A.
topspin serve
B.
floater serve
C.
sidearm serve
D.
underhand serve
 

37. 
What is the most common serving error made by beginners?
A.
point of contact
B.
closed hand
C.
ball toss
D.
follow-through
 

38. 
What is the basic reason for using the underhand serve.
A.
it does not take as much strength to hit it
B.
it is the most deceptive to receive
C.
it is the most difficult to receive
D.
it is the easiest to learn
 

39. 
What serving action will increase the accuracy of the underhand serve?
A.
increasing the length of the backswing
B.
flattening the arc of the arm swing
C.
contacting the ball with the wrists or forearm
D.
following through in the direction of the ball’s intended flight
 

40. 
What should a player do to increase the speed of an underhand serve?
A.
increase the length of the backswing and follow through
B.
contact the ball with the fist
C.
flatten the arc of the arm swing
D.
hold the ball closer to the body
 

41. 
How should a server make contact with the ball on an underhand serve?
A.
with a closed fist, using the thumb and index finger as the hitting surface
B.
with a closed fist, using the heel of the hand and fingers as hitting surface
C.
with the hand open, using the heel of the hand as the hitting surface
D.
with the hand open, using the wrist as the hitting surface
 

42. 
Which describes the path of the arm swing in hitting an underhand serve?
A.
diagonal to the net, left to right
B.
diagonal to the net, right to left
C.
perpendicular to the net
D.
semicircular, parallel to the court surface
 

43. 
What is the most important factor in hitting an overhand serve?
A.
an open striking hand
B.
the transfer of weight
C.
a correctly tossed ball
D.
the timing of the striking hand
 

44. 
A player is hitting an overhand serve.  What should be the position of the player’s body at the end of the backswing?
A.
shoulders and hips square to the net
B.
shoulders and hips diagonal to the net
C.
left shoulder pointing to the net
D.
left should pointing to the right net post
 

45. 
What surface makes contact with the ball when a player is hitting a floater overhand serve?
A.
heel and fingers of a closed fist
B.
heel of the hand
C.
heel and fingers of an open hand
D.
palm of the hand
 

46. 
What surface makes contact with the ball when a player is hitting a topspin overhand serve?
A.
heel and fingers of a closed fist
B.
heel of the hand
C.
heel and fingers of an open hand
D.
palm of the hand
 

47. 
What wrist action should take place in hitting a floater overhand serve?
A.
the wrist stays in hyperextension throughout the swing
B.
the wrist stays straight throughout the swing
C.
the wrist is snapped forward from hyperextension as the ball is contacted
D.
the wrist is snapped forward from a straight position as the ball is contacted
 

48. 
What wrist action should take place in hitting a topspin overhand serve?
A.
the wrist stays in hyperextension throughout the swing
B.
the wrist stays straight throughout the swing
C.
the wrist is snapped forward from hyperextension as the ball is contacted
D.
the wrist is snapped forward from a straight position as the ball is contacted
 

49. 
Who developed the game of volleyball?
A.
William Morgan
B.
James Naismith
C.
Dr. George Fisher
D.
Frances Schaafslma
 

50. 
When was the game of volleyball invented?
A.
1850
B.
1895
C.
1945
D.
1962
 

51. 
Where did the game of volleyball originate?
A.
Japan
B.
China
C.
United States
D.
Brazil
 

52. 
What was the purpose of developing the game of volleyball?
A.
to be a sport in the Olympics
B.
to give women a fall team sport
C.
to have a sport that could be played on the beach
D.
to be a recreational indoor sport
 

53. 
What was volleyball first called?
A.
miniball
B.
mintonette
C.
mininet
D.
net volley
 

54. 
What is a dink?
A.
a powerful smash into the opponents’ court
B.
an attempt to recover a hard spiked ball
C.
a service that lands in the court for a point
D.
a soft shot hit with the fingers
 

55. 
A player hits a serve that has no spin and an erratic path as it approaches the receiver.  What is this serve called?
A.
an overhand floater
B.
an overhand topspin
C.
a roundhouse
D.
a slice
 

56. 
What is the term used when the serving team loses the serve?
A.
service over
B.
side-out
C.
lost serve
D.
switching
 

57. 
What is it called when a player makes a play on a hard hit low ball?
A.
drive
B.
dig
C.
set
D.
pass
 

58. 
What is switching?
A.
serve changing from one team to the other
B.
players going in and out of the game
C.
players changing positions after the serve
D.
players changing positions in the lineup
 

59. 
A ball is hit over the net with upward flight.  No attempt is made to spike on the third hit.  What is this called?
A.
forearm pass
B.
overhand pass
C.
free ball
D.
defensive hit
 

60. 
A set is made over the head and back of the setter.  What is this called?
A.
an overhand pass
B.
an overhead pass
C.
a back set
D.
a setup
 

61. 
When is a team on defense?
A.
when the ball is controlled by the opponents
B.
when a team serves
C.
when a team receives the serve
D.
when a team with the ball cannot set up a spike play
 

62. 
A team is using two setters and four spikers.  What is this offense called?
A.
a 2-4 attack
B.
a 4-2 attack
C.
a setter switch
D.
a four-hitter attack
 

63. 
A team is using only one setter.  What is this called?
A.
a 5-1 attack
B.
a one-setter attack
C.
a setter switch
D.
an M formation
 

64. 
A player attempts to play a ball that has been hit into the net.  What is this called?
A.
net ball
B.
net recovery
C.
dig
D.
save
 

65. 
Which event is not a service fault?
A.
the serve touching the net
B.
the serve touching an antenna
C.
a player helping the serve over the net
D.
the server bouncing the ball before serving
 

66. 
The serve hits the top of the net and goes over into the opponents’ court.  What is the ruling?
A.
play continues
B.
side-out
C.
reserve
D.
second serve
 

67. 
What happens when a service fault occurs?
A.
side-out
B.
point
C.
reserve
D.
second serve
 

68. 
Who serves first in the second game?
A.
the team that received first in the first game
B.
the team that served first in the first game
C.
the team that won the first game
D.
the team that lost the first game
 

69. 
When does a team rotate?
A.
when the team loses the serve
B.
when the team gains the serve
C.
when the team loses a point
D.
when the team makes a point
 

70. 
If a ball is not hit on a block, how many times may a team contact the ball before it must go over the net into the opponent’s court?
A.
one
B.
two
C.
three
D.
four
 

71. 
If a ball is touched by a blocker, how many times may a team contact the ball before it must go over the net into the opponent’s court?
A.
one
B.
two
C.
three
D.
four
 

72. 
A player on the receiving team hits a ball straight up in the air and then hits it again, passing it to a teammate.  What is the ruling?
A.
play continues, and it is counted as one hit
B.
play continues, and it is counted as two hits
C.
a double foul is called and a point awarded
D.
a double hit is called and a point awarded
 

73. 
When may a player hit the ball twice in a row?
A.
never
B.