Volleyball Rules and Strategy

• Volleyball is a team sport involving two teams hitting a large inflated ball over a high net using their hands.
• Indoor volleyball consists of six players per team.
• Beach volleyball consists of two players per team.
• The objective is to score points by landing the ball in the opponent's court.

Fun Facts

• Over 800 million people worldwide play volleyball.
• The sport burns about 364 calories per hour for a 200-pound person.
• The Philippines significantly influenced modern volleyball techniques like the set and spike.

History

• 1895: William G. Morgan invented volleyball at YMCA, originally called "mintonette".
• 1900: A special ball designed for the sport was introduced in Asia, specifically India.
• 1910: Elwood S. Brown introduced volleyball to the Philippines.
• 1916: The Philippines developed the set and spike techniques, calling the hitter a "bomberino."
• 1917: The game changed from 21 to 15 points.
• 1920: Rules for three hits per side and back row attack were established.
• 1922: The first YMCA national championships were held in Brooklyn, NY.
• 1928: The United States Volleyball Association (USVBA), now USA Volleyball, was formed.
• 1964: Volleyball became an Olympic sport.

People Involved

• William G. Morgan invented volleyball in 1895 at the YMCA.
• Alfred Halsted suggested the name "volleyball".
• Elwood S. Brown introduced volleyball to the Philippines.

Rules

Serving

• Can serve from behind the end line.
• Can serve underhand or overhand.
• The ball must be visible to opponents before serving.

Scoring

• Rally Scoring: Points are scored on every serve.
• Games are played to 25 points; a team must win by 2 points.

Rotation

• Teams rotate clockwise after winning the serve.
• Each team has 4-6 players on the court.

Gameplay

• A maximum of three hits are allowed per side
• Players cannot hit the ball twice in a row (except for blocking).
• A ball touching the boundary line is considered in.

Basic Violations

• Stepping on or over the line during a serve is a violation.
• Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully is a violation.
• Illegal hits, such as carrying or palming, are violations.
• Touching the net while the ball is in play is a violation.

Terminology

• Ace: A serve that results directly in a point.
• Antenna: Red-and-white striped pole on the net that indicates out-of-bounds.
• Assist: Passing or setting the ball to a teammate for an attack.
• Attack: The action of hitting the ball to score.
• Attack Error: An unsuccessful attack.
• Back Row Attack: An attack by a back-row player behind the 10-foot line.
• Block: A defensive attempt to intercept the ball at the net.
• Block Assist: A successful block by two or more players.
• Block Solo: A successful block by a single player.
• Campfire: A ball that falls in an area surrounded by players.
• Centerline: The line under the net dividing the court.
• Court Dimensions: 59 feet long and 29 feet, 6 inches wide.
• Cross-Court Attack: An attack directed diagonally
• Dig: Passing a spiked ball close to the floor.
• Dink: A soft hit over or around blockers.
• Double Hit: Successive hits by the same player (illegal).
• Down Ball: An overhand hit driven over the net.
• Dump: A quick play by the setter sending the ball over.
• Extension Roll: A move to dig the ball while on the floor.
• Floater: A serve that moves erratically without spin.
• Forearm Pass: Contacting the ball with the forearms to pass.
• Free Ball: Returning the ball without an attack.
• Held Ball: A ball that comes to rest during contact, resulting in a foul.
• Hitter: A player who attacks the ball.
• Jump Serve: A serve executed while jumping.
• Joust: Two players attempting to play the ball above the net simultaneously.
• Kill: An attack that results in a point.
• Linesman: Officials responsible for ruling on ball in/out along the lines.
• Middle Blocker: A player who plays in the middle of the net.
• Net Height: Is 7'4-1/8" for women and 7'11-5/8" for men.
• Off-Speed Hit: A ball hit with less than maximum force but with spin.
• Outside Hitter: A player who plays at the ends of the net.
• Pancake: A defensive technique to dig the ball using the palm.
• Pass: Receiving a serve or the first ball contact.
• Power Tip: A forceful hit directed by the attacking team.
• Quick Set: A fast set for an inside hit.
• Rally Scoring: Points can be won by either team.
• Red Card: A penalty given for serious misconduct.
• Reception Error: A failed return of a serve that results in an ace.
• Roof: A blocked spike that goes straight down.
• Rotation: The clockwise movement of players after a side out.
• Serve: The action to put the ball into play.
• Service Error: An unsuccessful serve.
• Side Out Scoring: Points can only be won by the serving team in the first four games.
• Set: A pass that positions the ball for an attack.
• Stuff: A blocked ball returning to the attacking side.
• Setter: The player who sets the ball for attackers.
• Slide Attack: A low back set for the middle hitter to attack.
• Side Out: A rally won by the receiving team, gaining the right to serve.
• Substitution: Replacing one player with another during the game.
• Spike: A powerful hit intended to score.
• Ten Foot/3-Meter Line: The line indicating where back-row players must jump from to attack.
• Wipe: Hitting the ball off the block to land out of bounds.
• Yellow Card: A warning issued for misconduct.

Facilities and Equipment:

• Court Size: 60 feet long by 30 feet wide.
• Net Height: 7'11-5/8" for men; 7'4-1/8" for women.
• Ball Weight: Between 9 and 10 ounces.

Officials

• First Referee: The main official who oversees the match.
• Second Referee: Assists the first referee.
• Scorekeeper: Tracks points and game events.
• Assistant Scorer: Records libero replacements.
• Line Judges: Help determine if the ball is in or out.

Test your knowledge of volleyball rules, offensive strategies, and common terms. This quiz covers topics such as scoring, serving, gameplay violations, and equipment rules. See how well you know volleyball!