Volleyball Overview and Rules

William G. Morgan

Derived from badminton

Hands or arms, short contact with body parts

Spiking, blocking, passing, setting

6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)

25 ft x 50 ft (7.6 m x 15.2 m)

To get the ball across the net to the opponents' court

9 innings, 3 serves per team per inning, unlimited contacts before sending to opponent's court, second chance for service error

A volleyball court measures 9 meters by 18 meters, divided into two equal halves by a net.

The volleyball net is 2.43 meters high in men's competition.

The height of the volleyball net for women's competition is 2.24 meters

Indoor volleyball courts need a minimum height of 7 meters.

A line 3 meters from the net, parallel to it, defining the attack zone.

To put the ball in the air so it can be driven by an attacker into the opponent's court.

A set delivered directly to the opponent's court, often from the front row, instead of being set up for a teammate's attack.

A set where the ball is passed in the direction the setter is facing.

A set where the ball is passed behind the setter.

To ensure a controlled and accurate set. A single-handed touch could result in a less effective set and a 'double hit' penalty.

A set performed while the setter jumps in order to reach a ball that is too close to the net.

They coordinate the team's offensive movements, decide which teammate will attack, and generally control the pace of the game.

When the ball is too low to be set with fingertips, or in beach volleyball where rules regulating overhand setting are stricter.

A line 3 meters (10 feet) long separates the court into "back row" and "front row" areas, as well as "back court" and "front court" areas.

The court is divided into 6 areas, numbered consecutively from 1 to 6, starting with the serving player's position.

After a team wins a point, players must rotate clockwise, moving one position to the next.

A surrounding area at least 3 meters wide where players can enter and play after serving the ball.

Lines denoting court boundaries are considered part of the court. If the ball touches the line, it's considered "in."

Antennas placed on each side of the net ensure the ball passes completely between them without touching.

A specialized player focused on defense, wearing a contrasting jersey and not allowed to block or attack above the net.

The libero can replace any back-row player without a substitution limit, but can only be replaced by the player they replaced.

The attack, also known as the spike, is the third contact a team makes with the ball. It's the moment the ball is driven towards the opponent's court.

The player aims to make the ball land on the opponents' court in a way they can't defend.

The player takes a series of steps (approach), jumps high, and swings at the ball with full extension above their head, delivering a powerful hit.

It's slang for a very hard and loud spike that bounces high after landing on the opponent's court.

It's slang for an attack that the other team cannot return, resulting in a point.

Players stand at the net to stop or alter an opponent's attack.

An offensive block is when the block completely stops the attack, keeping the ball in the opponent's court.

Blocking techniques are often referred to as a 'triple block' when three players work together to stop an attack.

A volleyball technique where a player jumps and reaches over the net to block an opponent's attack. The blocker aims to intercept the ball's trajectory and redirect it downward, potentially creating a 'roof'.

A powerful type of offensive block where the blocker redirects the spiked ball straight down towards the attacker's court. The ball travels in a downward trajectory, mimicking the shape of a house roof.

A defensive blocking technique where the blocker aims to control and slow down the opponent's attack by softly deflecting the ball upwards. This makes it easier for teammates to defend the ball.

A blocking technique involving only one player jumping and attempting to block the opponent's attack.

A blocking technique where two players jump and coordinate their movements to block the opponent's attack.