Ace in volleyball is the most exciting moment in the match that boosts the confidence of the serving player. It puts to rest any hope for the receiving team and freely awards a point to the serving team. Aces are actually there to change the flow of the game, demoralize the opponent’s team and encourage your team.
Aces are basically counted as free points for the serving team, helping to increase leads and shorten gaps. A majority of people assume that a server only counts as an ace when the served ball strikes the floor untouched. It isn’t easy to do, but with dedicated practice and a focused mind, you can become the strategic server, raise your ace percentage and use that skill as a weapon for your team. Read on to learn about what an ace is in volleyball. What is its importance, and how to serve more aces?
What is an Ace in Volleyball?
An ace is a volleyball serve that directly results in a point to the serving team. When you serve the ball and the opposite team fails to handle it, it’s considered an ace. This definition is based on the FIVB rulebook.
According to NCAA, there are 4 scenarios when a serve can be counted as an ace:
- When the serve strikes the opposite side of the court untouched.
- The opponent has passed the serve but fails to keep it in play.
- The referee has determined that a violation is made by the opponent (double hit, lift, etc.).
- When the opposing team is out of rotation in any way.
These scenarios are all-encompassing. The 1st one is the most common way to score the ace when the ball goes untouched by the opponent and hits the floor. For such an ace, it’s always a good idea to watch for empty spots in the court and then aim for those when trying to make an ace serve.
Types of Aces in Volleyball
For anyone who is watching a volleyball match for the first time, it isn’t obvious to know there is an ace. Although it’s a broad term, we can break it into 2 types.
- Direct Ace
- Indirect Ace
These names aren’t official, different people use different terms(no touch ace, regular ace), but for convenience, we’re naming these types.
Direct Ace
An ace is considered direct when the server in your team serves the ball, and the ball touches the opponent’s court without any contact with any of the receiving players.
Indirect Ace
The ace is called indirect when the server hits the ball; the opposite team player receives it but does it so badly that the ball can’t be kept in the air and touches the court, ultimately rewarding a point to the serving team. It’s a bit complex type of service where the ball touches the player at least once before it touches the ground.
How Many Points is an Ace in Volleyball?
It’s a misconception that a team that scores an ace should earn at least 2 points. But in reality, the ace in volleyball is worth only 1 point. There’re no additional points for the beauty of the service. However, when a team scores an ace, they earn the opportunity to serve again. In some instances, the server is remarkably focused and manages to score another ace.
An ace is not merely an ordinary point, as it can serve as a catalyst for a team to awaken and become motivated, particularly when they are trailing by a few points. Conversely, the team that concedes the ace may lose confidence, leading to making easy mistakes. It’s remarkable how a single ace can set in motion a chain of events that alters the course of the game.
How Often Do Aces Occur In A Volleyball Match?
Aces in volleyball can occur more often than you think. The number is actually higher at lower levels and vice versa. However, the estimated numbers as below.
- At the middle and high school levels, the reach, passing skill and experience are much lower, so aces are more common that usually sit between 5-10 aces per set or a total of 25 on average per month.
- At the university level, on average, there are about 3-5 aces per set and a total of about 15 per match.
- At the pro level, aces are much lower at a rate of about 2-3 per set, totalling about 10 per match. This number is actually based on the players serving and the teams they are facing.
Examples of Best Ace in Volleyball History
- Ivan Zaytsev, in the Italy vs. USA 2014 World League Finals, scored 4 aces in a row for Italy. This way, he succeeded in the set for Italy from behind and won the match.
- Yuji Nishida of Japan broke serving records in VNL history by hitting 6 aces in a single game against Canada in the 2019 World Cup.
- The great Kyle Russell set a new record by scoring 8 aces in a row in the Korean V-League in 2022.
Tips For Improving At Serving Aces
You will find a lot of opinions in the world of volleyball about just how a player should serve. Your coaches must indicate a serving target for you or want you to play safe and just put the ball to play. Usually a good spiker in a volleyball team can also serve as a serving specialist and get aces for their team. Whatever the scenario is, below are some of the tips that can help you improve your ace in volleyball.
- Aim for the edges of the court that will make your serve hard to receive, leaving the defender in a situation where they have to choose whether to pass the serve or accept the risk of calling it out.
- Don’t just hit the ball carelessly over the net to the middle of the opponent team’s court. Choose the target wisely to ensure a successful ace.
- Serving more aggressively can result in more aces for your team.
- Predictability is the death of success in volleyball, so mix up your serve, making it shorter or longer or targeting different players.
- Practice, practice and practice, as there is no better method to boost the ace ratio than practice. Spend your time serving with a serious focus on your technique.
Conclusion
Serving an ace in volleyball is an amazing way to earn extra points for your team. So work to improve your serving skills. For this purpose, you can work with your coaches on ace-improving strategies. Bear in mind practice makes perfect, and perfecting the serve can enhance the chances of scoring an ace. If you put in the hard work, chances are there one day, you will be a successful ace server and go down in the record books.