Kill
An attack that wins the point right away. The ball hits the floor in bounds, deflects off a blocker and lands out, or the other team cannot make a legal play on it. The attacker gets a kill, and the setter usually gets an assist. If they dig the ball up and then miss the next touch, that is their error, not your kill. Kills per set is the loud offensive number. Hitting percentage tells you whether those kills were efficient.
Example
A hard cross-court swing lands a foot inside the sideline before anyone can move. The scorekeeper marks a kill for the outside hitter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a kill in volleyball?
Any attack that ends the rally in your favor immediately. The ball can hit their floor, go out off the block, or be unplayable. If they control the dig and then make a mistake, you do not get the kill.
How many kills per set is considered good?
In college, outside hitters often average about 3 to 4 kills per set. Above 4.5 is a big night. Middles may swing less often and still be expected to convert more of them, because quick sets face fewer blockers.