Volleyball Rules and History PDF

**Volleyball** is a [[team sport]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_sport) in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team\'s court under organized rules.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-1) I...

**Volleyball** is a [[team sport]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_sport) in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team\'s court under organized rules.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-1) It has been a part of the official program of the [[Summer Olympic Games]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Olympic_Games) since [[Tokyo 1964]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Summer_Olympics). [[Beach volleyball]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_volleyball) was introduced to the program at the [[Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Summer_Olympics). The adapted version of volleyball at the [[Summer Paralympic Games]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Paralympic_Games) is [[sitting volleyball]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitting_volleyball). The [[complete set of rules]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball_rules) is extensive,[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-LatestRules-2) but play essentially proceeds as follows: a player on one of the teams begins a \'rally\' by serving the ball (tossing or releasing it and then hitting it with a hand or arm), from behind the back boundary line of the court, over the net, and into the receiving team\'s court.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) The receiving team must not let the ball be grounded within their court. The team may touch the ball up to three times to return the ball to the other side of the court, but individual players may not touch the ball twice consecutively.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) Typically, the first two touches are used to set up for an attack. An attack is an attempt to direct the ball back over the net in such a way that the team receiving the ball is unable to pass the ball and continue the rally, thus, losing the point. The team that wins the rally is awarded a point and serves the ball to start the next rally. A few of the most common faults include: - - - - - - The ball is usually played with the hands or arms, but players can legally strike or push (short contact) the ball with any part of the body.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-feet-4) A number of consistent [[techniques]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#Skills) have evolved in volleyball, including *spiking* and *blocking* (because those plays are made above the top of the net, the [[vertical jump]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertical_jump) is an athletic skill emphasized in the sport) as well as *passing*, *setting*, and specialized player positions. Offensive and defensive structures are also key plays.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-5) **History** **Origins** *Further information: [[YMCA]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YMCA)* [[William G. Morgan]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_G._Morgan) in c. 1915 [[William G. Morgan]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_G._Morgan) invented the sport in 1895 while he was the [[YMCA]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YMCA) physical education director in [[Holyoke, Massachusetts]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holyoke,_Massachusetts).[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-6) Because he originally derived the game from badminton, he initially named the sport *mintonette*.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-7) He was a one-time student of [[basketball]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball) inventor [[James Naismith]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Naismith) and invented the game for his clients at the YMCA, most of whom were middle-aged businessmen for whom the physical demands of basketball were too great.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:2-8) The first rules, written down by Morgan, called for a net 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) high, a 25 ft × 50 ft (7.6 m × 15.2 m) court, and any number of players. A match was composed of nine innings with three serves for each team in each inning, and no limit to the number of ball contacts for each team before sending the ball to the opponents\' court. In case of a serving error, a second try was allowed. Hitting the ball into the net was considered a foul (with loss of the point or a side-out)---except in the case of the first-try serve.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-ncva-9) After an observer, Alfred Halstead, noticed the volleying nature of the game at its first exhibition match in 1896, played at the International YMCA Training School (now called [[Springfield College]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield_College)), the game quickly became known as *volleyball* (it was originally spelled as two words: \"*volley ball*\"). Volleyball rules were slightly modified by the International YMCA Training School and the game spread around the country to various YMCAs.^[\[\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-ncva-9)[\[\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-FIVB_Volleyball_History-10)^ In the early 1900s [[Spalding]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spalding_(company)), through its publishing company American Sports Publishing Company, produced books with complete instruction and rules for the sport.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-11) **Refinements and later developments** Japanese American women playing volleyball at the [Manzanar] internment camp during [[World War II]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II) in c. 1943A [[nudist/naturist]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturism) volleyball game at the Sunny Trails Club during the 1958 Canadian Sunbathing Association (CSA) convention in [[British Columbia, Canada]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia) The first official ball used in volleyball is disputed; some sources say Spalding created the first official ball in 1896, while others claim it was created in 1900.^[\[\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-Timeline1-12)[\[\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-SportsKnowHow-13)[\[\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-14)^ The rules evolved over time: in 1916, in the Philippines, the skill and power of the set and spike had been introduced, and four years later a \"three hits\" rule and a rule against hitting from the back row were established. In 1917, the game was changed from requiring 21 points to win to a smaller 15 points to win. In 1919, about 16,000 volleyballs were distributed by the [[American Expeditionary Forces]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Expeditionary_Force) to their troops and [[allies]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allies_of_World_War_I), which sparked the growth of volleyball in new countries.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-Timeline1-12) Like basketball, volleyball spread quickly due to its simplicity and promotion by the YMCA and [[YWCA]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YWCA).[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:2-8) The first country outside the United States to adopt volleyball was Canada in 1900.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-Timeline1-12) During and after [[World War I]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I), the presence of YMCA instructors in American forces led to the spread of volleyball in Europe, where clubs were established in [[France]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France) as well as several [[Soviet]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union) nations.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:2-8) An international federation, the [[Fédération Internationale de Volleyball]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration_Internationale_de_Volleyball) (FIVB), was founded in 1947, and the first World Championships were held in 1949 for men and 1952 for women.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-FIVB_History-15) The sport is now popular in [[Brazil]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil), in Europe, where especially [[Italy]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy), the [[Netherlands]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlands), and [[Eastern Europe]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Europe) have been major forces since the late 1980s, in [[Russia]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia), in other countries, including [[China]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China) and the rest of [[Asia]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia), and in the [[United States]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States).^[\[\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-FIVB_Volleyball_History-10)[\[\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-ncva-9)[\[\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-FIVB_History-15)^ [[Beach volleyball]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_volleyball), a variation of the game played on sand and with only two players per team, became a FIVB-endorsed variation in 1987 and was added to the Olympic program at the [[1996 Summer Olympics]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Summer_Olympics).^[\[\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-Timeline1-12)[\[\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-FIVB_History-15)^ Volleyball is also a sport at the [[Paralympics]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paralympics) managed by [[World ParaVolley]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_ParaVolley).[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-16) [[Nudists]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturism) were early adopters of the game with regular organized play in clubs as early as the late 1920s.^[\[\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-17)[\[\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-18)^ By the 1960s, a volleyball court had become standard in almost all [[nudist/naturist]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturism) clubs.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-19) Recently a debate has arisen within the sport regarding the inclusion of [[transgender]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender) players. With transgender athletes including [[Tiffany Abreu]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tifanny_Abreu) joining professional volleyball teams alongside other non-transgender teammates, many professionals, sports analysts, and fans of volleyball either express concerns about the legitimacy and fairness of having transgender players on a team or convey support for the transgender players.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:3-20) **Volleyball in the Olympics** *Main article: [[Volleyball at the Summer Olympics]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball_at_the_Summer_Olympics)* Volleyball has been part of the [[Summer Olympics]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Olympics) program for both men and women consistently since [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Summer_Olympics). **Rules of the game** A volleyball courtRotation pattern **Court dimensions** A volleyball court is 9 m × 18 m (29.5 ft × 59.1 ft), divided into equal square halves by a net with a width of one meter (39.4 in).[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:0-21) The top of the net is 2.43 m (7 ft 11+^11^⁄~16~ in) above the center of the court for men\'s competition, and 2.24 m (7 ft 4+^3^⁄~16~ in) for women\'s competition, varied for veterans and junior competitions.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) The minimum height clearance for indoor volleyball courts is 7 m (23.0 ft), although a clearance of 8 m (26.2 ft) is recommended.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:0-21) A line 3 m (9.8 ft) from and parallel to the net is considered the \"attack line\". This \"3 meter\" (or \"10-foot\") line divides the court into \"back row\" and \"front row\" areas and the back court and front court.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:0-21) These are in turn divided into 3 areas each: these are numbered as follows, starting from area \"1\", which is the position of the serving player: After a team gains the serve (also known as siding out), its members must rotate in a clockwise direction, with the player previously in area \"2\" moving to area \"1\" and so on, with the player from area \"1\" moving to area \"6\".[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) Each player rotates only one time after the team gains possession of the service; the next time each player rotates will be after the other team wins possession of the ball and loses the point.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:0-21) The team courts are surrounded by an area called the free zone which is a minimum of 3 meters wide and which the players may enter and play within after the service of the ball.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-22) All lines denoting the boundaries of the team court and the attack zone are drawn or painted within the dimensions of the area and are therefore a part of the court or zone. If a ball comes in contact with the line, the ball is considered to be \"in\". An antenna is placed on each side of the net perpendicular to the sideline and is a vertical extension of the side boundary of the court. A ball passing over the net must pass completely between the antennae (or their theoretical extensions to the ceiling) without contacting them.[^\[\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) ### Libero The libero player was introduced internationally in 1998,[^\[32\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-32) and made its debut for NCAA competition in 2002.[^\[33\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-vlotmnewlk-33) The libero is a player specialized in defensive skills: the libero must wear a contrasting jersey color from their teammates and cannot block or attack the ball when it is entirely above net height. When the ball is not in play, the libero can replace any back-row player, without prior notice to the officials. This replacement does not count against the substitution limit each team is allowed per set, although the libero may be replaced only by the player whom he or she replaced. Most U.S. high schools added the libero position from 2003 to 2005.^[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-atmes-29)[\[34\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-tnknsas-34)^ **Skills** Competitive teams master six basic skills: serve, pass, set, attack, block and dig.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) Each of the skills consitsts of a number of specific techniques which have been introduced over the years and are now considered standard practice in high-level volleyball. **Serve** A player making a jump serveA float serve A player stands behind the inline and serves the ball in an attempt to drive it into the opponent\'s court. The main objective is to make it land inside the court; it is also desirable to set the ball\'s direction, speed and acceleration so that it becomes difficult for the receiver to handle it properly.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) A serve is called an \"ace\" when the ball either lands directly onto the opponent\'s court or the first opponent to touch the ball is unable to volley it (hit it upwards enough for a teammate to continue). In contemporary volleyball, many types of serves are employed: - - - - - - **Pass** A player making a forearm pass or bump Also called reception, the pass is the attempt by a team to properly handle the opponent\'s serve or any form of attack. Proper handling includes not only preventing the ball from touching the court but also making it reach the position where the setter is standing quickly and precisely.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) The skill of passing involves fundamentally two specific techniques: underarm pass, or bump, where the ball touches the inside part of the joined forearms or platform, at waistline; and overhand pass, where it is handled with the fingertips, like a set, above the head.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) Either are acceptable in professional and [beach volleyball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beach_volleyball); however, there are much tighter regulations on the overhand pass in beach volleyball. When a player passes a ball to their setter, it is ideal that the ball does not have a lot of spin to make it easier for the setter. **Set** Jump set The set is usually the second contact that a team makes with the ball.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) The main goal of setting is to put the ball in the air in such a way that it can be driven by an attack into the opponent\'s court.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) The setter coordinates the offensive movements of a team, and is the player who ultimately decides which player will attack the ball. As with passing, one may distinguish between an overhand and a bump set. Since the former allows for more control over the speed and direction of the ball, the bump is used only when the ball is so low it cannot be properly handled with fingertips, or in beach volleyball where rules regulating overhand setting are more stringent. In the case of a set, one also speaks of a front or back set, meaning whether the ball is passed in the direction the setter is facing or behind the setter. There is also a jump set that is used when the ball is too close to the net. In this case, the setter usually jumps off their right foot straight up to avoid going into the net. The setter usually stands about ⅔ of the way from the left to the right of the net and faces the left (the larger portion of net that the setter can see). Sometimes a setter refrains from raising the ball for a teammate to perform an attack and tries to play it directly onto the opponent\'s court. This movement is called a \"dump\".[^\[40\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-40) This can only be performed when the setter is in the front row, otherwise it constitutes an illegal back court attack. The most common dumps are to \'throw\' the ball behind the setter or in front of the setter to zones 2 and 4. More experienced setters toss the ball into the deep corners or spike the ball on the second hit. As with a set or an overhand pass, the setter/passer must be careful to touch the ball with both hands at the same time.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) If one hand is noticeably late to touch the ball this could result in a less effective set, as well as the referee calling a \'double hit\' and giving the point to the opposing team. **Attack** *See also: [Volleyball offensive systems](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball_offensive_systems)* A [Spanish player](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain_men%27s_national_volleyball_team), \#18 in a red outfit is shown about to spike towards the [Portuguese](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal_men%27s_national_volleyball_team) field, whose players are performing a block The attack, also known as the *spike*, is usually the third contact a team makes with the ball.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) The object of attacking is to handle the ball so that it lands on the opponent\'s court and cannot be defended.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) A player makes a series of steps (the \"approach\"), jumps, and swings at the ball. Ideally, the contact with the ball is made at the apex of the hitter\'s jump. At the moment of contact, the hitter\'s arm is fully extended above their head and slightly forward, making the highest possible contact while maintaining the ability to deliver a powerful hit. The hitter uses arm swing, wrist snap, and a rapid forward contraction of the entire body to drive the ball.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) A \'bounce\' is a slang term for a very hard/loud spike that follows an almost straight trajectory steeply downward into the opponent\'s court and bounces very high into the air. A \"kill\" is the slang term for an attack that is not returned by the other team thus resulting in a point. Contemporary volleyball comprises a number of attacking techniques:[^\[41\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-41) - - - - - - - - **Block** Three players performing a block, also known as a triple block Blocking refers to the actions taken by players standing at the net to stop or alter an opponent\'s attack.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) A block which is aimed at completely stopping an attack, thus making the ball remain in the opponent\'s court, is called an offensive block. A well-executed offensive block is performed by jumping and reaching to penetrate with one\'s arms and hands over the net and into the opponent\'s area.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) It requires anticipating the direction the ball will go once the attack takes place.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) It may also require calculating the best footwork to executing the \"perfect\" block. The jump should be timed so as to intercept the ball\'s trajectory prior to it crossing over the plane of the net. Palms are held deflected downward roughly 45--60 degrees toward the interior of the opponents\' court. A \"roof\" is a spectacular offensive block that redirects the power and speed of the attack straight down to the attacker\'s floor as if the attacker hit the ball into the underside of a peaked house roof. By contrast, it is called a defensive, or \"soft\" block if the goal is to control and deflect the hard-driven ball up so that it slows down and becomes easier to defend. A well-executed soft-block is performed by jumping and placing one\'s hands above the net with no penetration into the opponent\'s court and with the palms up and fingers pointing backwards. Blocking is also classified according to the number of players involved. Thus, there are single (or solo), double, and triple blocks.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) Successful blocking does not always result in a \"roof\" and many times does not even touch the ball. While it is obvious that a block was a success when the attacker is roofed, a block that consistently forces the attacker away from their \'power\' or preferred attack into a more easily controlled shot by the defence is also a highly successful block. At the same time, the block position influences the positions where other defenders place themselves while opponent hitters are spiking. **Dig** A volleyball player preparing for a dig Digging is the ability to prevent the ball from touching one\'s court after a spike or attack, particularly a ball that is nearly touching the ground.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) In many aspects, this skill is similar to passing, or bumping: overhand dig and bump are also used to distinguish between defensive actions taken with fingertips or with joined arms.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volleyball#cite_note-:1-3) It varies from passing, however, in that it is a much more reflex-based skill, especially at the higher levels. It is especially important while digging for players to stay on their toes; several players choose to employ a split step to make sure they are ready to move in any direction. Some specific techniques are more common in digging than in passing. A player may sometimes perform a \"dive\", i.e., throw their body in the air with a forward movement in an attempt to save the ball, and land on their chest. When the player also slides their hand under a ball which is almost touching the court it is called a \"pancake\". The pancake is frequently used in indoor volleyball, but rarely if ever in beach volleyball because the uneven and yielding nature of the sand court limits the chances that the ball will make good, clean contact with the hand. When used correctly, it is one of the more spectacular defensive volleyball plays. Sometimes a player may also be forced to drop their body quickly to the floor to save the ball. In this situation, the player makes use of a specific rolling technique to minimize the chances of injuries.