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Volleyball · Level 3: Pre-Intermediate · Sub-level 3.4

Attack Combinations

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 25 October 2026 · markdown

Tempo, the X play, the slide, the pipe, fast outside sets, overloads and tandems, decoys, plays by rotation, calling plays and what happens when a combination breaks down.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1TempoTake a test

  1. First tempo: the hitter jumps before or as the setter touches the ball.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. Third tempo is a high ball: the approach starts after the set.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. Second tempo comes between a quick and a high ball.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. Different speeds stop the block settling on one timing.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. A high, slow set lets every blocker arrive.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. The hitter jumps before the set, so the pass must be exact.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. Middles hit the quick sets.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Quick, fast, high.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. The middle is moving before the ball reaches the setter.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. A hitter in the air at the moment of the set is first tempo.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 2The X playTake a test

  1. The X starts with the middle's quick approach in front of the setter.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. The second hitter cuts behind the middle to hit close beside her.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. If the middle blocker goes with the quick, the crossing hitter is free.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. The cross only works if she arrives a moment after the quick.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. An outside or the opposite crosses behind the middle.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. With the middle blocker committed, the crossing hitter faces little block.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. Two hitters crossing need practised paths and timing.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. The middle goes first; the crossing hitter follows.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. A committed blocker leaves the crossing hitter free.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. A quick with a second hitter crossing behind it is an X play.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 3The slideTake a test

  1. The slide hitter moves sideways in the air, so blockers chase her.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. Middles often run slides behind the setter.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. The slide finishes behind the setter, toward the right antenna.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. The set meets a hitter who is running along the net.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. The moving take-off makes the slide hard to block without a big jump.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. Starting as if for a quick drags the blocker before the slide moves away.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. The approach curves behind the setter, parallel to the net.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Start in front, run behind, one-foot take-off, hit.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. Slides move most; high balls are hit almost straight up.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. A curved run behind the setter ending in a one-foot jump is a slide.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 4The pipe and the quickTake a test

  1. A middle blocker watching the quick has no time to block the pipe.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. Outside hitters in the back row attack the pipe.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. A late attack from the middle catches blockers between hitters.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. The back-row hitter needs time and room to reach the ball from behind the line.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. With only two front-row hitters, the pipe adds one more option.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. Back-row players must take off behind the attack line to attack above the net.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. The pipe is hit from the back middle.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. The quick holds the block; the pipe follows.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. With the middle blocker held, the pipe goes through the middle.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. A back-row attack from the middle is the pipe.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 5Fast sets to the outsideTake a test

  1. A fast set reaches the hitter before the middle blocker arrives.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. A fast set leaves no time for a late approach.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. A poor pass makes a fast, precise set very hard.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. The middle has to cover the whole distance in less time.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. Hitters at the antennae get the fast sets.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. A fast set is flat, just over the net.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. A flat path gets the ball across the net fast.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Early start, flat set, contact near the antenna, late block.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. Flat and fast, medium, then high and slow.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. The block had no time to form against the fast set.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 6Overloads and tandemsTake a test

  1. Two attackers close together give the block two threats in one place.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. A hitter facing one blocker has more of the court open.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. Decoys draw blockers away from the hitter who gets the set.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. Attacking where the block is weakest gives the best odds.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. The blocker who jumped with the quick is coming down as she hits.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. Blockers cannot cover two hitters in one area at once.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. Reading the set is safer than guessing which hitter gets it.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Load one side, then attack the other.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. Isolation means one blocker; a bad pass brings the whole block.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. Back-to-back jumps in one spot make a tandem.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 7DecoysTake a test

  1. A decoy runs and jumps to draw blockers, but the set goes elsewhere.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. Each real-looking approach has to be respected.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. A lazy fake fools nobody.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. Middles run quicks on most plays, set or not.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. Unpredictable decoys keep the block guessing.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. After a bad pass, blockers know a quick is impossible and ignore the decoy.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. The call tells each hitter her job on the play.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Call, fake, pull and set elsewhere.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. Only a full approach fools the blockers.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. Her run drew attention while the set went elsewhere.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 8Plays by rotationTake a test

  1. Each rotation puts a different set of hitters in the front row.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. A back-row hitter adds a third option.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. The best play depends on who is at the net in that rotation.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. A back-row setter may not send it over from above the net.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. With its best hitters at the net, the team uses its fastest plays.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. Each rotation needs its own paths and timing.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. The back-row opposite attacks from the right back.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Know the rotation, choose, signal, run.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. Three front hitters give most options; no back-row attack gives fewest.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. Zone 1 gives the team another hitter for this rotation.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 9Calling playsTake a test

  1. A signal behind the back is hidden from the opponents.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. Once the rally starts, there is no time to agree a plan.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. Number systems give the place along the net and the speed of the set.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. In a broken rally, the setter needs to hear who can attack.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. If the pass is off, the planned play may not be possible.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. Codes keep the plan secret.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. The setter calls plays, sometimes following signals from the bench.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. Signal, acknowledge, serve, run.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. From the match plan down to the final choice.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. Hand signals behind the back tell the team's hitters the play.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 10When combinations break downTake a test

  1. A bad pass usually rules out the fast parts of the play.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  2. A hitter who keeps coming stays an option.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  3. Every team agrees where the ball goes when the play cannot run.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  4. Crossing runs need exact timing.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  5. The best set goes to a hitter who can actually attack.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  6. Fast plays win points but can also bring errors.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  7. A play the opponents always read no longer works.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall

  8. A bad pass forces the team onto its bail-out plan.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  9. The faster the play, the more it needs a perfect pass.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

  10. Crossing paths collide when the timing is off.

    Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Sources

FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II) and general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered FIVB rules belong to the Rules category.

  • FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references100