Spanish Volleyball Vocabulary: A2/B1 Sports Guide

“Voleibol” or “vóleibol” (with an accent) are both correct. The Royal Spanish Academy accepts both spellings. Example: “El voleibol es un deporte de equipo muy dinámico” (Volleyball is a very dynamic team sport). For more volleyball terms, check out our Complete Spanish Volleyball Vocabulary Guide.

In Spain, the most common term is “colocador”. In Latin America, “armador” is more common. Example: “El colocador distribuye el balón a los atacantes” (The setter distributes the ball to the attackers). Both terms are understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

“Remate” is the word for spike. The verb is “rematar” (to spike). Example: “El rematador saltó y remató con potencia” (The spiker jumped and spiked with power). You can also use “ataque” (attack) as a more general term.

“Líbero” (with an accent on the i) is the same word in Spanish. Example: “El líbero juega solo en defensa y no puede atacar” (The libero only plays defense and cannot attack). The libero wears a different color jersey and has unlimited substitutions.

“Saque” is the noun for serve. The verb is “sacar” (to serve). Example: “El jugador saca desde detrás de la línea de fondo” (The player serves from behind the end line). Types of serves: “saque flotante” (float serve), “saque con salto” (jump serve), “saque de potencia” (power serve).

“Bloqueo” is the noun for block. The verb is “bloquear” (to block). Example: “El central bloqueó el remate del oponente” (The middle blocker blocked the opponent’s spike). A player who blocks well is a “buen bloqueador”.

In Spain, “pista” is the most common word for court. In Latin America, “cancha” is used. Example: “La pista de voleibol mide 18 por 9 metros” (The volleyball court is 18 by 9 meters). Both terms are understood everywhere.

“Set” or “parcial” is the word for a set. Example: “El primer set fue para España” (The first set went to Spain). A volleyball match is usually best of five sets (“al mejor de cinco sets”). The fifth set is called “el set decisivo” or “el juego decisivo”.

“Doble toque” means double hit – when a player touches the ball twice in a row. This is a violation. Example: “El árbitro señaló doble toque” (The referee called a double hit). Other violations: “retención” (catch/lift), “toque de red” (net touch), “invasión” (penetration under the net).

The main positions: “colocador/armador” (setter), “líbero” (libero), “atacante/rematador” (attacker/spiker), “opuesto” (opposite hitter), “central” (middle blocker). The three front-row players are in the “zona de ataque” (attack zone) and the three back-row players are in the “zona de defensa” (defense zone).

“Rotación” is rotation. Example: “Los jugadores rotan después de cada punto ganado” (Players rotate after each point won). A rotation fault is “falta de rotación” (when players are out of position). The serving order is “orden de saque”.

“Pase” or “recepción” is a pass/dig. The verb is “pasar” or “recepcionar”. Example: “El líbero recepcionó el saque perfectamente” (The libero passed the serve perfectly). A forearm pass is “pase de antebrazos”. An overhead pass is “pase de dedos” or “voleo”.

“Voleibol de playa” or “vóleibol playero” is beach volleyball. Example: “El voleibol de playa es muy popular en la costa española” (Beach volleyball is very popular on the Spanish coast). Beach volleyball is played with two players per team (“pareja”) on sand (“arena”).

“¡Buen saque!” means “Good serve!” Other common volleyball cheers: “¡Qué remate!” (What a spike!), “¡Buena defensa!” (Good defense!), “¡Qué bloqueo!” (What a block!), “¡Vamos equipo!” (Let’s go team!), “¡Dale!” (Go for it!), “¡A la red!” (Into the net!), “¡Fuera!” (Out!).

There is no difference in meaning. “Voleibol” (without accent) is more common in Spain. “Vóleibol” (with accent on the e) is more common in Latin America. The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) accepts both spellings. Example Spain: “El voleibol es muy popular.” Example Mexico: “El vóleibol es muy popular.” Both are correct!

“Tiempo muerto” is timeout. Example: “El entrenador pidió tiempo muerto” (The coach called a timeout). Each team has two timeouts per set. A technical timeout (“tiempo muerto técnico”) occurs automatically when the leading team reaches 8 and 16 points.

“Sustitución” is substitution. Example: “El líbero puede hacer sustituciones ilimitadas” (The libero can make unlimited substitutions). The verb is “sustituir” (to substitute). A player entering the game is “el jugador que entra”; the player leaving is “el jugador que sale”.

“Árbitro” is referee. The first referee is “primer árbitro” (up on the stand). The second referee is “segundo árbitro” (on the floor). The line judges are “jueces de línea”. Example: “El árbitro señaló falta de rotación” (The referee called a rotation fault).

The men’s net height is “2.43 metros”. The women’s net height is “2.24 metros”. Example: “La red está a 2.43 metros para hombres” (The net is at 2.43 meters for men). In Spanish, you would say “dos metros cuarenta y tres centímetros” or simply “dos cuarenta y tres”.

The best ways: 1) Watch volleyball matches with Spanish commentary (FIVB streams, Olympic broadcasts). 2) Play volleyball with Spanish-speaking teammates and use Spanish terms during play. 3) Watch beach volleyball tournaments in Spanish. 4) Read volleyball news on Spanish sites like RFEVB.es (Spanish Volleyball Federation). 5) Follow Spanish-speaking volleyball players on social media. 6) Take our Spanish Volleyball Vocabulary Quiz to test your knowledge!