Volleyball · Level 6: Advanced · Sub-level 6.4

Serve and Pass Ratings

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

The perfect pass, passes rated 2 and 1, aces and shanks, the average pass rating, perfect and positive shares, rating the serve, ratings by serve type, raters agreeing, rating scales and the link between passing and side-out.

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 1The perfect passTake a test

A perfect pass gives the setter all her options.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Perfect passes reach the setter's target zone near the net.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A pass that is too low or too fast rushes the setter.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Speed and height matter as well as the spot.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Quicks need the setter right at the target.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A shared definition makes ratings comparable.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A staff member rates each pass as it happens.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Spot, height, options and the rating.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
Spot and height together make a perfect pass.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
A pass to the target that allows every option is rated 3.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 2Passes rated 2 and 1Take a test

A 2 is playable, but the setter loses some options.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A poor pass can still be set and attacked; a 0 loses the rally.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A step off target makes the quick hard to set.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A 2 still allows a planned attack; a 1 usually does not.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
The further from the target, the lower the rating.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A playable pass keeps the team in the rally.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Out of system, the safe choice is a high ball to the pins.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Each step down removes options.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
From a perfect pass to an error.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
A pass that allows only a high ball is usually rated 1.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 3Aces and shanksTake a test

The ace counts against the passer responsible for that area.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A pass so bad the team cannot continue is a 0.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A 0 means the rally is lost straight away.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A shank is a badly mishit pass.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
The number of 0s shows how often she was beaten.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Hard, fast serves cause aces and shanks.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A struggling passer may need encouragement or a change.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
From a 3 down to a 0.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
See, rate the passer, credit the server.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
A pass that cannot be played is rated 0.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 4The average pass ratingTake a test

The average is the total of ratings divided by the number of passes.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A number to aim for focuses passing practice.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
(3 + 2 + 1) / 3 = 2.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A handful of passes is too small a sample to trust.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A good average against weak servers says less.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Tough serves lower the quality of the passes.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A falling average may call for a new formation or passer.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Higher averages mean better passing.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
Rate, add, count and divide.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
An average above about 2 is usually good.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 5Perfect and positive sharesTake a test

It is the share of receptions that were perfect.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Only the 3s and 2s count as positive.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Many good passes still lead to strong attacks.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Positive = perfect + good = 7 of 10 = 70%.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Positive passes let the setter run more plays.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Slightly worse passes move from 3 to 2 but stay positive.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
It sums up how often the team passed well.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
More positive passes out of the same number means a higher share.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
Rate, count, divide and convert.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
Passes rated 3 and 2 are called positive passes.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 6Rating the serveTake a test

A serve that forces a poor pass is rated highly.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A free ball gives the serving team an easy chance to score.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
The worse the pass, the better the serve that caused it.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A serve passed perfectly did not trouble the receivers.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Ratings value the many serves that weaken the reception.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A high average shows steady pressure on the reception.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A tough server who misses a lot may cost more than she gains.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Ace, a strong serve, an easy serve, then the miss.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
Serve, pass, rating and record.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
A serve that causes a poor pass gets a high rating.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 7Ratings by serve typeTake a test

Some passers struggle with floats, others with jump serves.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
The receive can be arranged so she passes fewer jump serves.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A float's late movement troubles some passers more than speed.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Matching the serve to the passer's weakness lowers her ratings.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Practice against a weakness improves it.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Speed and spin make strong jump serves hardest to pass.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
One scale for all serves makes the numbers comparable.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Speed and movement grow from the standing float to the jump topspin.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
Tag, rate, average and plan.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
Her lower bar against jump serves shows her weakness.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 8Raters agreeingTake a test

A new rater must learn to rate as the others do.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Without clear rules for each rating, raters disagree.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Clear, written definitions bring raters together.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A 2 for one coach may be a 3 for another.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Replaying a doubtful pass gives a more accurate rating.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
An agreed rule for borderline passes keeps ratings consistent.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Self-rating can be biased.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Rules, double rating, compare and fix.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
More checking means more reliable ratings.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
Agreement between raters shows the ratings can be trusted.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 9Rating scalesTake a test

Some systems use five levels instead of four.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
An average only makes sense on a known scale.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
More levels separate good passes more precisely.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Fewer choices make live rating faster.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Different scales give averages that cannot be compared as they are.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Many programs code quality with symbols that stand for levels.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Everyone must rate on the same scale in the same way.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Four, five and eleven levels.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
Choose, define, train and restart.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
Mixing them would make the whole season of figures useless.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied

Test 10Passing and side-outTake a test

Everything after the pass is shaped by its quality.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
The link shows how much each rating helps the team score.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
A good pass still allows a strong attack.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Poor-pass attacks need work if they rarely score.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Better out-of-system hitting turns 1s into points.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Players see how each pass changes the team's chances.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
Better passing leads to more side-outs and fewer runs against.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · recall
The better the pass, the more often the team sides out.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
Rate, record, calculate and show.
Source: FIVB Coaches Manual (Levels I-II), general coaching references · applied
The tallest bar belongs to perfect passes.
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