Back Row Attack
A swing from a back-row player who takes off from behind the 3-meter line when the ball is entirely above the net. After contact you can land in the front row; the rule cares only about where your feet left the floor. Pipes, Ds, and high back-row bounces are why modern 5-1 teams still have five real scoring threats, not just the front row, as long as you respect FIVB back-row attack language.
Example
The opposite in zone 1 lines up a four-step, jumps from a foot inside the back zone, and finishes inside zone 2 after the swing. The contact was legal because the takeoff was behind the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the rule for back-row attacks in volleyball?
If you are back row and the ball is above net level, you may only complete that attack if your last takeoff is from the back zone (behind the attack line). On or in front of the line at takeoff, and you spike above the tape, you hand the other side a point.
What is a pipe in volleyball?
A pipe is a set to a back-row attacker coming through zone 6, middle back. The hitter has to stay behind the line at takeoff like any other back-row attack, but the angle is nasty because the ball travels late through the block’s blind spot.