Volleyball: History of the Game

• Volleyball is a team sport where two teams of six players are separated by a net.
• Teams score points by grounding the ball on the opposing team's court under organized rules.

History of Volleyball

• Invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a YMCA physical director in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
• Initially designed as an indoor sport for businessmen who found basketball too strenuous.
• Originally named "mintonette" and later renamed "volleyball" due to its volleying nature.
• The first official rules were written by Morgan in 1897.
• The game's appeal quickly spread throughout the United States and to other countries.
• In 1916, the YMCA and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) jointly issued rules.
• The first nationwide tournament in the United States was held in New York City in 1922.
• The United States Volleyball Association (USVBA) was formed in 1928, becoming the governing body in the U.S.
• The USVBA, now known as USA Volleyball (USAV), has held annual national championships since 1928, with exceptions in 1944 and 1945.
• A women’s division was started in 1949, and a senior women’s division (age 30 and older) was added in 1977.
• American troops introduced volleyball to Europe during World War I.
• The Fédération Internationale de Volley Ball (FIVB) was formed in Paris in 1947 and moved to Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1984.
• By the late 20th century, the FIVB had over 210 member countries.
• International competition began in 1913 at the Far East Games in Manila.
• Early Asian volleyball was played on a larger court with a lower net and nine players per team.
• The FIVB-sponsored world championships led to standardized rules and officiating.
• Volleyball became an Olympic sport in 1964 in Tokyo.
• Early European championships were dominated by Czechoslovakian, Hungarian, Polish, Bulgarian, Romanian, and Soviet teams.
• Soviet teams have won more world and Olympic titles than any other nation, attributed to widespread interest and organized play.
• The Japanese women's team, Olympic champions in 1964, was supported by private industry, with players dedicating their free time to training.
• This Japanese team won the World Championship in 1962, 1966, and 1967, in addition to the 1964 Olympics.
• By the end of the 20th century, the Cuban women’s team dominated the World Championships and the Olympics.
• The Pan American Games added volleyball in 1955, with Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Cuba, and the United States frequently competing for top honors.
• In Asia, China, Japan, and Korea dominate competition.
• Volleyball, especially beach volleyball, is popular in Australia, New Zealand, and throughout the South Pacific.
• A four-year cycle of international volleyball events began in 1969, including World Cup championships, World Championships, regional events, and the Olympic Games.

Volleyball Court Dimensions

• The total court size is 60 feet by 30 feet (18 meters x 9 meters).
• The net divides the court into two 30 feet by 30 feet halves.

Center Line

• Divides the court equally, with the net placed above it.

Attack Line

• Located 10 feet from the center line on each side.
• The front court is the area near the net, and the back court is between the attack line and the end line.

Service Area

• Located 10 feet inside the right sideline on each back line.

The Net

• Positioned directly above the center line.
• It is 7 feet 4 inches above the ground for women.
• It is 8 feet above the ground for men.

Poles

• Should be set 36 feet apart.
• They are positioned 3 feet outside the sidelines.

Ceiling Height

• The minimum ceiling height should be 23 feet.
• Higher ceilings are preferable.

The Ball

• The standard volleyball is made of leather or synthetic leather.
• It weighs between 9 and 10 ounces.
• The circumference is 25.6 to 26.4 inches.
• It has a rubber bladder and can be one color or a combination of colors.