Volleyball: History, Rules, and Gameplay

Overview of Volleyball

• Volleyball started in 1895 at a YMCA in Holyoke, United States, known then as Mintonette.
• William G. Morgan, invented volleyball for businessmen to play indoors.
• The sport was named Volleyball due to the volleying action of the players.
• Volleyball became popular among YMCA branches and spread globally, especially after World War I.
• Volleyball is now popular because it isn't too vigorous; women also developed an interest.
• The sport is played across the globe.
• The game involves two teams in a rectangular court, divided by a net, with the goal of making the ball touch the opponent's side of the court.
• Players must prevent the ball from touching the ground on their side.
• A team can only hit the ball three times before it is sent over the net to prevent the opponent from scoring.
• Like basketball, volleyball employs passing, but uses strategies similar to net or racquet games. The key is to make it tough for opponents to volley.

Team Composition

• Volleyball teams consist of six players each.
• Teams can have up to six substitute players.
• Each team has a captain, and a Libero who specializes in defense and wears a different colored uniform.
• Liberos are restricted from serving or moving to the front court.
• The coach and team captain ensure discipline and represent the team.
• During competitions, teams have coaches, assistant coaches, a physiotherapist, and a doctor, who sit with the substitutes on the bench outside the free zone.
• Originated in the United States and spread to other countries and Europe.

Regulating Bodies

• Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) regulates volleyball internationally.
• FIVB sets rules, assigns referees, and organizes world cups and championships.
• It was founded in Paris, with headquarters now in Mexico.
• FIVB supports both volleyball and beach volleyball.
• About 220 national volleyball organizations are members of the FIVB.
• National federations hold championships, and winners compete internationally.

Playing Environment

• Volleyball courts are rectangular, divided in half by a net.
• Standard international courts are indoor and rectangular, measuring 18 meters long and 9 meters wide, with wooden or synthetic flooring to prevent injuries.
• The court is divided into two 9x9 meter squares.
• Free zone: up to 3 meters around the court, 5 meters on longer sides and 8 meters on shorter sides in international courts.
• Front zone: extends 3 meters from the center line on both sides.
• Service zone: 9 meters wide, located behind the end lines.
• Substitution zone: between the scorer's table and the attack line.
• Libero replacement zone: part of the free zone next to the team benches, between the extended attack line and the end line.

Equipment

• The essential equipment are a ball, a net, and a flat court.
• The net is 1 meter long and 9.5 to 10 meters wide, positioned above the center line.
• The net's center should be 2.43 meters above ground for men and 2.24 meters for women.
• The sides of the net can vary in height by up to 2 cm but should be even at both posts.
• Markings indicating court width are taped onto the net, with flexible antennae extending 1 meter beyond the tape to help referees.
• The ball is spherical, has a circumference of 65-67 cm.
• It is made of leather or synthetic materials.
• It weighs 260-280 grams.
• FIVB approved balls are to be used for international games.

Common Terms

• Rally: the period of a ball being served until a foul or the ball touches the ground.
• Service: hitting the ball from the service zone with the fist, wrist, or arm, it has to go over the net to the opponent's side.
• Warm-up sessions: short practice sessions for players to get used to the environment before a game.
• Attack hit: a hit to send the ball to the opposite side.
• Positional fault: Players must maintain their starting positions when the ball is served, numbered in anti-clockwise order. They can move freely post-serve.
• Rotational fault: players must rotate clockwise when their team gains the serve.
• Four hit foul: if a team hits the ball more than three times consecutively without sending it to the other side.
• Double contact: occurs if a player hits the ball more than once consecutively.
• Assisted hit: receiving aid from teammates or objects while hitting the ball is illegal.
• Serving fault: serving out of order
• Double fault: when both teams commit faults successively, leading to a replay.
• Blocking: players jump near the net to deflect the ball after an attack hit.
• Crossing space: the space between the antennae above the net where the ball must pass.

How to play

• Teams give player lists and positions to the referee before a tournament begins.
• Both teams warm up for 6-10 minutes beforehand.
• The referee tosses a coin to decide first serve or receiving team, and which court side each team will start on.
• The game begins with a player serving from the back line, trying to get the ball over the net.
• Players can hit the ball up to three times, and the fourth hit, if applicable, should be an attack hit back to the serving side.

Winning a Match

• Matches are divided into five sets.
• Winning a set requires scoring 25 points with a minimum lead of 2 points.
• The game continues until a 2-point lead is achieved, continuing the set.
• If each team two matches, a fifth set is played to 15 points.
• A 2-point lead must be achieved to win the match.

Rules

• When the ball is in play, it must remain within the sidelines and end lines and between the antennae.
• Players can't be prevented from hitting the ball simultaneously; 2 hits occur if this happens.
• If opponents hit the ball at the same time and it goes out, the other team gets the point.
• Players should not cross the centerline during play.
• Feet shouldn't enter the opponent's court, but hand may do so to block the ball as they shouldn't interfere with opponent hits .
• Players should not touch the net or obstruct the game.
• After the referee's whistle for service, the player must serve within 8 seconds.
• Front-row players can only attack from their playing space.
• Back-row players can attack from behind the front zone.
• Receiving teams can't deliver an attack hit from the front zone if the ball is higher than the net.
• Liberos and back-row players are restricted from blocking.
• The Libero cannot serve or block the ball
• Blocking a ball right after a serve is illegal.
• Players must hit the ball and can't catch or throw it.

Variants

• Beach volleyball involves 2 teams, with 2 players each.
• Sepak Takraw involves similar rules to volleyball except players can't use hands, only heads, torsos, and legs.
• Shooting Volleyball, an Indian variant played in parts of Pakistan, includes a "net man" who attempts shots near the net.
• Sitting volleyball is played by seated players on a smaller court measuring 10 x 6 meters, and it is featured in the Summer Paralympics.
• Aquatic volleyball, also referred to as pool volleyball or aquapolo is played in shallow pools.

Champions

• Volleyball has a presence in the Olympics since 1964.
• FIVB Volleyball World Cup, FIVB World Championship, Regional Championships, and Olympics are are very popular
• Lang Ping, referred to as 'Iron Hammer', is a Chinese volleyball champion known for her spiking.
• Inna Ryskal, called "Kaspiiskaia Thunderstorm," was a member of the USSR national team and won four Olympic medals.
• Fernanda Venturini, a Brazilian player, played in 342 international matches.
• Mireya Luis Hernández is a Cuban volleyball player who played a key role in winning the World Cup in 1991.
• Charles 'Karch' Kiraly secured three Olympic gold medals.
• Lorenzo Bernardi is an Italian, declared the Volleyball Player of the Century by FIVB.
• Tomas Wojtowicz helped shape the Polish National men's team.
• Gilberto Amauri de Godoy Filho, known as Giba, is a former Brazilian volleyball Champion.