Pancake
You slide your hand flat, palm down, so the leather bounces off the back of your hand before it would hit the floor. It is legal, it counts as one touch, and it is pure highlight when the timing is perfect. You use it when the platform is late and the dive is not long enough.
Example
A cut tips just off the tape, the libero pancakes, the ball floats, second touch, pipe opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pancake in volleyball?
What is a pancake in volleyball? It is a last-ditch dig with your hand as the floor. Ball off the back of the hand, not the wood, or the rally is over.
Is a pancake legal in volleyball?
Yes, as long as the hand is the first thing the ball hits. After that, your team still has two more contacts to work with.