Recreational (Beginner)
This player has little or no experience with playing organized volleyball. He/she is still working primarily on getting the ball into play and needs on-court experience. This player has obvious weaknesses in controlling the ball but is familiar with basic fundamentals of passing, setting, hitting, blocking and serving. More advanced beginner players are quickly learning to judge where the ball is going although court coverage is weak. This player may also sustain a short rally of slow pace with other players of the same ability.
Competitive I (Lower Intermediate)
This player has achieved improved ball control, dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth and variety. This player exhibits more aggressive net play, has improved court coverage, and is developing defensive strategy.
- Aware of most volleyball rules but uncertain when calling faults
- Can pass balls with relative accuracy but will still shank balls
- Can underhand serve with moderate velocity and able to target zones
- Can return serves consistently
- Can spike the ball sometimes when the set is perfect
- Can block and has some idea of court coverage
- Has trouble digging a hard driven ball
Competitive II (Upper Intermediate)
This player has begun to master the use of power and shots and is beginning to handle pace, has sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and is beginning to vary game plan according to opponents.
- Understands volleyball rules and techniques and can recognize faults/violations
- Can consistently pass with accuracy and control
- Can overhand serve with moderate velocity and able to target zones
- Can return serves consistently
- Can spike with moderate velocity and accuracy
- Can position a block and understands court coverage
- Can dig hard driven balls on occasion
- Can cleanly set the ball consistently
- Most points have to be earned rather than given by mistakes from the opposing team
Advanced
This player has developed power and/or consistency as a major weapon. This player can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hits dependable shots in a stress situation.
- Can run 5-1, 6-2 offensive
- Can consistently pass to the setter on hard serves
- Can consistently block/hit while in front row
- Can cleanly set the ball consistently to all positions
- Can serve with high velocity consistently
- Can dig hard driven balls
- Can read hitters and setters
- Can spike with high velocity and accuracy and has mastered a variety of different shots (rolls, dinks, cut, line, back row hitting)