What is a Kill in Volleyball? [Definition & Examples]

I’ll never forget my first successful kill during the State Championship. It wasn’t the most powerful hit, but it found that sweet spot between two defenders.

But when that ball hit the floor?Boom!

The rush of adrenaline, the boost of confidence, and the electric energy from my teammates – it was addictive. In that moment, I understood why kills are the heartbeat of volleyball—they’re the exclamation points that turn rallies into points and momentum into victories.

As a coach now, I see the same fire ignite in my players’ eyes when they land their first kill. It’s a transformative moment that often marks the transition from casual player to passionate competitor. Whether you’re a budding volleyball enthusiast or a seasoned player looking to refine your technique, understanding the art of the kill is crucial.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into what exactly constitutes a kill in volleyball. We’ll break down the steps involved, share some insider tips to improve your technique, and explore best practices that can elevate your game. So, get ready to add some serious firepower to your offensive arsenal!

Understanding the Basics of a Kill

Quick Answer: A kill in volleyball is any attack that directly results in a point because the opponent cannot return the ball. Every kill is an attack, but only successful attacks that score become kills.

In volleyball, a kill is the ultimate power move. Imagine a slam dunk, but with a ball flying at lightning speed!

It happens when a player smashes the ball so perfectly that it either lands untouched on the opponent’s court or ricochets off a defender uncontrollably. 

or Here’s the simple answer: A kill is any attack that directly results in a point for your team because the opponent cannot return the ball.

Let me break that down in plain English:

When you hit the ball over the net with the intent to score, and it results in a point—that’s a kill. The ball either:

• Lands on the opponent’s court without being touched
• Gets touched but cannot be controlled or returned
• Forces an error from the defensive team

Important distinction: A kill must come from an attack attempt. Not every ball that goes over the net and scores a point is a kill.

What Counts as a Kill (and What Doesn’t)

Here’s what most players and even some coaches get wrong: there’s no “intent” requirement in official volleyball statistics. If you send the ball over the net and it results in a point because the opponent can’t return it, that’s a kill—regardless of whether you meant to attack or not.

A powerful spike that hits the floor untouched? Kill.

A tip that drops in before anyone can react? Kill.

An attack that ricochets off a defender and rolls away uncontrollably? Kill.

Even a setter dump that catches the defense sleeping counts as a kill because it’s a deliberate offensive play from the setting position.

Here’s where it gets interesting: if your dig accidentally flies over the net and lands for a point, that’s technically recorded as both a dig AND a kill in official statistics. Same with an overpass that scores.

The statistician records the outcome, not your intentions. I’ve seen players accidentally get kills they weren’t even trying for—and yes, those count toward their totals.

What definitely does NOT count as a kill is a serve that scores directly. That’s tracked separately as an ace. The distinction matters because kills measure your attacking effectiveness during rallies, while aces measure your serving prowess. Different skills, different stats.

The key distinction: Kills come from rally play (after the serve), while aces come from the serve itself. Both score points, but they’re tracked in separate statistical categories.

Kill vs. Spike vs. Attack: What’s the Difference?

The Key Distinction: A spike is the action (jumping and hitting forcefully). An attack is any offensive attempt. A kill is the successful result—when your attack scores a point.

This confuses a lot of players, so let me clarify:

Attack: Any attempt to hit the ball over the net with the intent to score. This is the broad category.

Spike: A specific type of attack where you jump and hit the ball forcefully downward. It’s the most common attack technique.

Kill: The successful result of any attack (spike, tip, roll shot, etc.) that scores a point.

Think of it this way:

• All kills are attacks, but not all attacks are kills (some get dug up)
• All spikes are attacks, but not all attacks are spikes (you can attack with tips or roll shots)
• A spike only becomes a kill if it results in a point

Example: You jump and spike the ball (that’s a spike/attack). The opponent digs it up and keeps playing (no kill). But if that spike hits the floor or can’t be returned (that’s a kill).

During my college days, I’d have matches where I attempted 25 attacks (spikes, tips, etc.), got 12 kills, and made 4 errors. Those 12 kills were the attacks that worked. The other 9 attempts? The defense dug them up and kept the rally going.

Who Can Get a Kill in Volleyball?

Technically, any player on the court can get a kill. But in practice, certain positions rack up way more kills than others. Here is how the kill happens in chain –

The Kill Chain: How It Happens

While anyone on the court can get a volleyball kill, it is typically a collaboration between these key players: 

• Spiker/Attacker/Hitter: The star of the show. Executes the kill by striking the ball with force and precision near the net. 

• Setter: The assist-maker. Delivers an accurate pass to the spiker, positioning the ball optimally for the attack.  

• Passers (Libero/Defensive Specialists): The unsung hero. Receive the opponent’s serve or attack, setting up the kill with a clean pass to the setter. 

To pull off a great spike in volleyball, coordination between these players is key. It all starts with a good pass – the passer got to cleanly receive the ball.  

Then the setter steps in, placing the ball just right. This sets up the spiker to hit with maximum preciseness.  

When a team gets this chain of moves down pat, it can totally bring a new ‘kick’ to the game! 

Kill Leaders by Position

Outside Hitters: Usually lead the team in kills. They get the most sets and carry the biggest offensive load. In my college matches, I’d typically get 12-18 kills per game as an outside hitter.

Opposite Hitters: Second-highest kill totals. They’re the other primary attacker and often face favorable matchups.

Middle Blockers: Get fewer attempts but often have the highest hitting percentage because their attacks are quicker and harder to defend.

Setters: Occasionally get kills on dumps (sneaky attacks from the setting position) or when they have to attack on the second touch.

Liberos/Defensive Specialists: Rarely get kills since they primarily play defense and cannot attack from the front row above net height.

Types of Kills Every Player Should Know

Not every kill looks the same. During my playing days, I learned that having multiple attack options made me far more dangerous than relying on raw power alone. Here are the main types you’ll see and use:

The Spike Kill is the classic power move everyone pictures when they think of volleyball. You jump, swing hard, and drive the ball downward into the opponent’s court. When executed well, it’s nearly impossible to defend. This is the bread-and-butter attack for outside hitters and opposites.

The Off-Speed Shot is the sneaky cousin of the spike. Instead of swinging full power, you reduce your arm speed at the last second and tap the ball softly over or around the block. I used this constantly during the Great Lakes Regional Championship when blockers started timing my approach—the change of pace threw them off completely.

The Roll Shot uses a rolling wrist motion that makes the ball drop quickly after crossing the net. It’s perfect for when you see the defense cheating deep, expecting a hard-driven ball. The topspin pulls it down into that empty space between the block and the back-row defenders.

The Line Shot travels parallel to the sideline, threading the needle between the block and the antenna. It requires precision over power and works best when blockers overcommit to taking away the cross-court angle.

The Tool (or Wipe) deliberately uses the blocker’s hands to your advantage. Instead of trying to beat the block, you aim for the outside of the blocker’s hands so the ball deflects out of bounds. When the ball goes out off the block, YOU get the kill credit, not the blocker. This is one of the most satisfying plays in volleyball—turning their defense into your point.

The Big Confusion: Kills vs. Blocks

This trips up a lot of players and even some stat keepers, so let me clear it up.

When you attack the ball and it scores a point—whether it hits the floor, deflects off a defender, or tools off the block and out—you get credited with a kill. The point came from your offensive action.

When you’re blocking and the ball rebounds off your hands back into the opponent’s court for a point, that’s recorded as a block, not a kill. It’s a defensive stat, even though it scores a point. The opponent who hit into your block gets charged with an attack error.

Why does this matter? Because these stats measure different skills. Kills measure offensive effectiveness. Blocks measure defensive presence at the net. A middle blocker might only get 4 kills per match but rack up 5 blocks—both valuable contributions, tracked separately.

One more scenario: If you’re attacking and the blocker commits an error (touches the net, crosses the centerline, or a back-row player illegally jumps to block), you get credited with the kill even though your ball didn’t technically score. Their error on your attack attempt gives you the point and the stat.

How to Execute a Perfect Volleyball Kill in 7 Steps? 

Once you’ve learned what a kill is, you’re going to be even more excited to try it out yourself. Here’s how you can take the shot: 

1. Get in Position for the Attack

Understanding where you can attack from is crucial—and this is where a lot of players get confused about the rules.

Front-row players (positions 4, 3, and 2 at the net) can attack the ball from anywhere and at any height. They have no restrictions on jumping or contact point.

Back-row players (positions 5, 6, and 1) CAN attack the ball above the net height, but they must jump from behind the 3-meter attack line. This is what enables the “pipe” attack (back-row middle) and “D-ball” attack (back-row right side) that you see in college and professional volleyball. If a back-row player jumps from in front of the attack line and contacts the ball above net height, it’s an illegal attack and the point goes to the opponent.

For most attacks, position yourself about four steps away from the net—roughly behind the attack line. This gives you room for a full approach.

Additional positioning tips:

If you’re right-handed, attacking from the left side (zone 4) gives you the best angle for cross-court shots. Left-handers have the advantage from the right side (zone 2).

Middle blockers attack from zone 3, right in the center of the net. This position requires quick feet and even quicker timing because the sets are faster. If you’re tall with good reaction time, the middle is where your height becomes a weapon on quick attacks.

Take bigger steps? Start further back. The approach builds momentum, so you want to hit your peak speed right as you plant for the jump.

2.Assume the Correct Stance  

Take your stance and bend your knees so you’re ready to move when the opportunity strikes. If you’re right-handed, your left foot should be set back from the right foot. If you’re left-handed, your root foot should be back from your left foot. 

3.Execute Proper Footwork  

One of the best ways to move to the ball for an attack is the four-step approach. It helps to generate momentum and power for a strong kill. Here’s how it works: 

• First step: Take a small, controlled step with your non-dominant foot and lean forward to initiate the approach.  

• Second step: Take a longer and more powerful next step with your dominant foot and keep your arms relaxed by your side. The second step distance will ultimately depend on the ball’s position.  

• Third step: Take a step again with your non-dominant foot and keep your feet shoulder-width apart. Swing your arms behind your back.  

• Fourth step: Take a final step with your dominant foot, acting as a launch pad to propel in the air for the hit.

Common mistake I see: Players rushing the approach. Each step serves a purpose—don’t skip the rhythm.

4. Spring Up as the Ball Falls into Position 

Jump as soon as the setter releases the ball to ensure you reach your peak height at the same time the ball comes within your reach. Make sure that you push off the ground with as much force as possible to achieve the maximum height of the jump. 

5. Draw Your Arm Back to Strike  

As soon as you reach the jump height, your arms swing above your head. Pull your hitting arm back and bend it at a ninety-degree angle. Point your non-hitting arm toward the ball to help with aim and balance.

6. Time to Make the Hit  

To execute a powerful volleyball hit, swing your arm forward quickly with an open hand and fingers together. Aim to strike the ball at its peak, ideally above the net, using the center of your hand for maximum power.  

Snap your wrist downward as you make contact to impart topspin and direct the ball down into your opponent’s court. After hitting, quickly bring your arm back towards your body to avoid touching the net and incurring a penalty. 

During the National Collegiate Volleyball Championship, my coach kept telling me: “Contact high, snap hard, follow through.” That mantra was the difference between .250 and .310 hitting percentage.

7. Retreat to Your Starting Spot 

Bend your knees when you’re coming back to the ground. This helps to regain balance and prevent an ankle injury. If the opposing team returns the ball, you’ll need to fall back into your position quickly and be ready to hit the ball with more force now. 

5 Pro Tips to Power Your Volleyball Kill  

Now that you understand the fundamentals of executing a kill, let’s explore some advanced tips to perfect your technique and maximize your impact on the court. 

1. Practice Footwork Without the Volleyball 

When you’re just learning how to make volleyball kill, it’s important to get the footwork right first.  The main reason for this is to develop muscle memory.

Focus on taking steps without the ball, prioritizing foot movement, jump timing, and arm motion. This approach helps develop muscle memory for an accurate and strong kill.  

2. Learn to Swing as Hard as You Can  

Repeatedly hit a volleyball against a wall to build power. Toss or set the ball to yourself, then practice your spike.  

Remember to bend your elbow and rotate your forearm toward the ball for maximum force. The more quickly you’re able to do so, the stronger and speedier your hitting will be. 

3. Get your Timing Down 

To perfect your spike timing, practice regularly with a skilled setter who can consistently place the ball at the top of your jump.

Keep your eyes on the ball throughout your approach and adjust if you find yourself hitting with your fingertips or lower palm, as this indicates off-timing. 

Red flags for timing issues:

• Consistently hitting with fingertips (jumping too early)
• Hitting with lower palm (jumping too late)
• Can’t generate power (not at peak height)

4. Live Blocking Drill  

In this drill, you practice hitting against live blockers, which simulates game conditions. It helps you learn how to adjust attacks based on the block and develop techniques like tooling the block. 

5. Do Strength Training Exercises  

Finally, you got to make yourself stronger for those killer jumps.

Key areas to develop:

Upper body (for hitting force): Push-ups, pull-ups,

Legs (for vertical jump): Squats, lunges, box jumps, calf raises

Core (for rotation and stability): Planks, Russian twists, medicine ball work

Shoulders (for arm swing power): Rotator cuff exercises, shoulder press, resistance band work

And here’s a fun one: medicine ball slams. They’re great for your shoulders and arms stability as well.  

Don’t forget to work with your coach on a workout plan that’s tailor-made for you. After all, you’re unique, and your training should be too! 

Understanding Kill Statistics

If you want to improve, you need to track your performance. Here are the key stats related to kills:

Kills Per Set

What it is: Total kills divided by total sets played.

What it tells you: Your offensive volume and how often your team relies on you to score.

Realistic benchmarks by level:

For high school players, elite outside hitters average 3-5 kills per set. That might sound low until you do the math—a set only goes to 25 points, and those points are split between six players plus opponent errors. An outside hitter averaging 4 kills per set across a 5-set match contributes 20 kills, which is a dominant performance.

College outside hitters at the All-American level average 4-6 kills per set. The NCAA leaders typically hover around 5.0-5.5 kills per set—any higher and you’re looking at a Player of the Year candidate.

Middle blockers see lower totals (2-4 kills per set) because they get fewer attempts. Their value shows up in hitting percentage, not raw kill numbers. A middle averaging 3 kills per set on .400 hitting is more valuable than an outside averaging 5 kills on .200 hitting.

Why this matters: Don’t chase unrealistic kill numbers. Focus on efficiency (hitting percentage) alongside volume. I’ve seen players try to force 15 kills per match when their team only needed them to contribute 8 efficient ones.

Kill Percentage (Not the Same as Hitting Percentage!)

Formula: Kills ÷ Total Attack Attempts

What it tells you: How often your attacks result in kills.

Example: 15 kills on 30 attempts = 50% kill percentage

Why it’s misleading: This doesn’t account for your errors. You could have a great kill percentage but still hurt your team with too many mistakes.

Hitting Percentage (More Important)

Formula: (Kills – Errors) ÷ Total Attempts

What it tells you: Your offensive efficiency—how much you help versus hurt.

Good benchmarks:

• Outside hitters: .250-.350
• Middle blockers: .300-.400
• Opposites: .250-.350

I covered this in detail in my hitting percentage calculator guide, but this is the stat coaches actually care about.

Total Points (Kills + Blocks + Aces)

What it is: All the ways you directly score points for your team.

What it tells you: Your overall offensive impact.

Example: In a match you get 12 kills, 2 block assists, and 1 ace = 15 total points contributed

Common Mistakes That Reduce Your Kills

From coaching and playing, here are the errors I see most often:

Mistake #1: Swinging Too Hard on Bad Sets

The problem: Trying to crush every ball, even when the set isn’t perfect.

The result: High error rate, low efficiency.

The fix: When the set is off, adjust your attack. Go for a roll shot, a tip, or tool the block instead of swinging out of control.

I had to learn this the hard way sophomore year—my hitting percentage jumped 50 points when I started making smarter decisions on imperfect sets.

Mistake #2: Not Reading the Defense

The problem: Attacking the same way regardless of what the defense shows you.

The result: Predictable offense, more blocked balls, lower kill rate.

The fix: Before you jump, glance at the blockers. Where are they positioned? Where are the holes? Hit to the opening, not to your favorite spot.

Mistake #3: Poor Approach Timing

The problem: Starting your approach too early or too late.

The result: Hitting on the way down, rushed contact, less power and control.

The fix: Watch the setter, not just the ball. Start your approach as they’re setting, not before or after.

Mistake #4: Arm Swing Issues

The problem:

• Dropping your elbow
• Not getting full extension
• Weak wrist snap
• Slow arm speed

The result: Weak attacks, poor ball control, easy digs for defenders.

The fix: Video your hitting form. Work on specific arm swing mechanics in slow motion, then speed it up.

Mistake #5: Not Communicating

The problem: No communication with your setter about set preferences.

The result: Inconsistent chemistry, mistimed sets, fewer good looks.

The fix: Talk constantly. Tell your setter where you want the ball. Give feedback after each set. Build that connection.

How Kills Are Tracked in Official Statistics

For stats keepers and coaches, here’s what you need to know:

What Gets Recorded

Every time a player gets a kill, the statistician records:

1. The kill itself (adds to player’s kill total)
2. An attack attempt (adds to attempt total)
3. Usually an assist for the setter (if it was the second contact)

Quality Control Checks

Good statisticians verify:

• Kills never exceed total attack attempts
• Every assist has a corresponding kill
• Attack errors + kills ≤ total attempts (the remaining attempts are balls kept in play by defense)

Special Cases

Scenario 1: Ball digs over the net and lands for a point

Recording: The defensive player gets both a dig AND a kill

Scenario 2: Opponent commits blocking error during your attack (net touch, centerline violation)

Recording: You get credited with a kill

Scenario 3: You get blocked and ball goes out

Recording: You get an attack error, opponent gets a block

Scenario 4: Any ball crosses the net and scores a point (including overpasses or errant digs)

Recording: The player who last contacted the ball receives credit for a kill. Official statistics track outcomes, not intentions. If your dig sails over the net and lands untouched, you get both a dig AND a kill recorded. It’s unusual, but it happens—and the stats reflect reality, not what you were trying to do.

Summing Up 

Mastering the volleyball kill is your ticket to game dominance. As a former volleyball player, I’ve experienced firsthand, the electrifying impact of a well-executed kill. It’s not just about raw power; it’s about timing, placement, and strategic thinking.  

To become a formidable attacker, focus on relentless practice, perfect positioning, enhancing your vertical leap, and sharpening your mental game.  

With that, you’ll develop a devastating spike that can instantly shift momentum and propel your team to victory. Remember, each powerful kill you unleash has the potential to turn the tide of the game in your favor, letting you take the trophy home.  

Now, armed with this knowledge, go out there and become the kill machine (not the literal one) your team needs! 

FAQs on Kill in Volleyball 

What is the difference between a kill and a spike in volleyball? 

Kill and spike are both offensive actions in volleyball that involve jumping and striking the ball. A spike refers to the action of aggressively hitting the ball over the net with the intent to score or force an error from the opposing team.  

On the other side, a kill is a successful spike that results in a point, meaning the ball either lands on the court or your opponent is unable to return it. All kills are considered spikes, but not all spikes will fall under kills. 

How do you calculate a kill in volleyball? 

To calculate the kill in volleyball, you count each successful attack that results in a point. The kill percentage is determined by dividing the kills by the attack attempts for a player.  

Thus, if someone was awarded seven kills and attempted ten attacks, her kill percentage would be 70%. This metric helps in assessing the player’s effectiveness in scoring points and their overall contribution to the team’s offense.