□ Volleyball Stat Definitions Glossary
A category-based reference for every key volleyball stat — including scales, definitions, and what each number means in practice.
TL;DR:
- Serve and pass quality drive most match outcomes.
- Hitting efficiency is a stronger predictor than kills.
- Dig and receive errors are top losing indicators.
- Use SoloStats WebReports to benchmark performance by skill.
Jump to: Serve · Pass · Attack · Defense · General
□ Serve Statistics
| Statistic | Definition | Coaching Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Serve Rating (0–4) | Evaluates serve outcome: 0 = error, 1 = perfect pass by opponent, 2 = playable pass, 3 = poor pass, 4 = ace. | High correlation with wins. Serving tougher is worth small increases in error rate. |
| Ace | Serve that directly results in a point — untouched or unreturnable. | Positive stat highly associated with success; emphasizes serve aggressiveness. |
| Serve Error | A missed serve (net, out of bounds, or foot fault) resulting in an opponent point. | Acceptable up to ~10–12% if serving aggressively; less damaging than low serve ratings. |
□ Pass & First Contact Statistics
| Statistic | Definition | Coaching Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Serve Receive Rating (0–3) | Measures pass quality: 3 = perfect to setter, 2 = good (can run offense), 1 = off-target, 0 = error. | Most predictive team stat. Aim for average ≥2.0 and receive errors <15%. |
| Free Ball Pass Rating (0–3) | Evaluates how well the team handles free balls. 3 = perfect pass, 0 = error or overpass. | Elite teams convert 80%+ of free balls into successful offensive plays. |
| Receive Error | A misplayed serve receive leading directly to an opponent point. | Strongest negative correlation to winning. Reduce through consistent platform and positioning work. |
⚡ Attack & Offensive Statistics
| Statistic | Definition | Coaching Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Kill | An attack that directly earns a point for the hitting team. | Measures offensive production but not efficiency — use with context. |
| Attack Error | An attack that results in a point for the opponent (hit out, into net, or blocked in bounds). | High error rates are a key loss indicator; emphasize smart swings and coverage. |
| Hitting Efficiency | Formula: (Kills − Errors) ÷ Attempts. Adjusts offensive output for mistakes. | Most reliable offensive metric. Varsity .200–.250 = solid, College .275+ = elite. |
□️ Defense & Transition Statistics
| Statistic | Definition | Coaching Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Dig | A defensive play that keeps an opponent attack in play. | Track “dig-to-target %” to evaluate control, not just volume. |
| Dig Error | A failed or mishandled dig resulting in an opponent point. | Keep below 5 per set for consistent defensive efficiency. |
| Transition Kill % | Percentage of digs that result in a kill within the same rally. | Strong indicator of team readiness and counter-attack quality. |
□ General Team Performance Statistics
| Statistic | Definition | Coaching Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Side-Out % | Percentage of times your team wins a point while receiving serve. | Benchmark: 55-65% at competitive high school; >65% for elite programs. |
| Point Scoring % | % of times your team wins a rally when serving. | Reflects serving pressure and block-defense effectiveness. |
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