Tracking reception quality: pass ratings per player
Every attack starts with the pass. Yet most coaches judge reception on feel — 'she passes fine'. With a pass rating per ball you make that feeling measurable, and see in black and white who keeps your attack running.
Why reception is the most important ball
A perfect pass gives your setter every option: quick middle, outside, back row. A mediocre pass halves your attacking options; a bad pass is a free ball gifted away. Whoever has their reception in order wins the side-out — and side-out is how you win matches.
The 0-3 pass scale
- 3 — perfect: on the setter, all attacking options open.
- 2 — good: playable, the setter can set most balls.
- 1 — emergency: only a high ball to the outside possible.
- 0 — ace: no playable pass, a direct point against.
This scale is the international standard. Koach uses a slightly finer scale from 0 to 5, with one word under each number: 0 Error (aced) · 1 Back over · 2 1 option · 3 No quick · 4 Good · 5 Perfect. What each rating means is explained in serve receive rating.
Tracking it live without missing the match
During live scoring you choose between Simple and Expert under Scoring. Pass ratings are given in Expert mode, which is meant for a second coach who only keeps track. When the opponent serves, the app starts at the Reception step, with six buttons: 0 to 5. Tap who received the ball if you like (it may stay empty), then the rating. A 0 (aced) also records the point for the opponent straight away. The app then works through the rest of the rally: set, attack, block and defense each get their own rating, and so does your own serve when your team is serving. In Simple mode you give no ratings. The app calculates the average per match and per player — no tallying on paper, no maths afterwards.
What it tells you
On the 0-3 scale a team average around 2.3 is fine; drop below 2 and your attack will not get going. On Koach's 0-5 scale you read the same thing: the closer to 5, the more often your setter has every option. More interesting is the per-player picture: who carries the reception and who is better taken out of serve receive? Combine it with your attack percentage and you instantly see whether a poor attack is down to the attacker or the pass before it.
Start with just the team average. Pass ratings per player are worth gold, but they cost focus on the sideline. Let the team get used to the rhythm of tapping first; link to players once it comes naturally.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good reception average?
At amateur level a team average of 2.2 to 2.4 on the 0-3 scale is good: the setter can then distribute most balls normally. Below 2.0 attacking gets hard; above 2.5 you are playing at a high level. Koach works on a scale from 0 to 5; there you mainly compare the average with your own earlier matches.
Do I have to rate every pass?
No. Start with only the serves your passers receive; those decide your side-out. You do not need to score free balls and dug balls, which keeps it manageable during the match.
Can I also track reception per player?
Yes. In Koach's Expert mode you optionally link a pass to the player who received it, after which you see an average (0 to 5) and the number of passes per player. Handy to decide who to put in serve receive and who to relieve.
Side-out percentage: the most important team stat explained
Tracking a volleyball match live: scores and per-player statistics
Click and Scout: price, iPad and when a lighter app is enough
Scouting your own volleyball team: a rating for every touch
Volleyball serve receive rating: the 0-5 scale and what is good
First ball side-out in volleyball: what a good pass is worth
Track reception in Koach
One tap per serve, and the average is calculated for you.
Get started with KoachOr read first what the volleyball coaching app does.