What is volleyball?
History of volleyball
Regulations
Scoring
Serves
Offensive passes

Whether you are an avid player with knowledge of all the scoring systems and techniques, or a backyard player who enjoys tossing a ball around at the family barbecue, volleyball is a fast-moving, exciting game that brings people together. This sport gives meaning to the word "team," since the team members must work in harmony to keep the volleyball aloft and in bounds.

What is volleyball?

While most Americans view volleyball as a fun barbecue or beach game, the sport is highly competitive and very popular throughout the world. In fact, it ranks just behind soccer as the world's most popular participation sport!

Volleyball is played by two teams on a playing court divided by a net. Each team has six players. The players set up on their side of the court in two lines parallel to the net.

The object of the game is for each team to send the ball regularly over the net. The entire team works together to "ground" it on the opponent's court. At the same time a team is offensively trying to score a point, defense it crucial. As fast as one team can send the ball flying over the net, it is sure to return!

The ball will "volley" until one team fails to return the ball to the other team's side of the net. When it lands, if it's within the boundaries of the court markets, the team that landed it gets a point.

Each volley begins with a serve. The ball is served by the right back-row player who serves the ball by hitting it over the net to the opponent's court. A team is allowed to hit the ball three times (in addition to the block contact) to return it to the opponent's court. A player is not allowed to hit the ball twice consecutively, except when attempting a block. The rally continues until the ball touches the ground/floor, goes "out," or a team fails to return it to the opponent's court or commits a fault.

History of volleyball

It's no wonder volleyball is so popular throughout the world since the game has been played since 1895. The sport actually originated in the United States. William G. Morgan, a teacher at the YMCA of Holyoke, MA, combined elements of basketball, baseball, tennis and handball to create a game for his students. Volleyball, originally called "mintonette" was born. The name changed to volleyball a year later when players noticed the ball volleying back and forth over the net. The first game of volleyball, complete with rules, was played in 1896 at Springfield College. A special ball was later designed and competitive ways of passing the ball back and forth were created.

In 1922, the first YMCA national championships were held in Brooklyn, NY in which 27 teams from 11 states were represented. And, in 1928, the United States Volleyball Association (USVBA, now USA Volleyball) was formed. Finally, in 1964, volleyball was introduced at the Olympic games in Tokyo bringing it to the forefront of global sports.

Regulations

The USA Volleyball Association sets standards for the playing area, equipment and "playing the ball."

Court regulations:

Indoor and outdoor "in-bound" court dimensions are 60 feet long by 30 feet wide. There should be a 10-foot area surrounding the court, as well. Indoor courts differ from outdoor courts in that there is also an attack area 9 feet, 10 inches back from the center line. All lines on the court are two inches wide.

Net height:

The net height is different for men, women, girls, boys and mixed games. In addition, the specs change depending on whether it's an inside or outside game. Here are the basic net height regulations:

Net height for men, co-ed mixed, and outdoor: 7 feet 11 5/8 inches.

Net height for women, boys 14 and under, and reversed mixed: 7 feet 4 1/8 inches

Net height for boys 12 and under is 7 feet.

Net height for girls 10 and under is 6 feet 6 inches.

The ball:

The ball weighs between 9 and 10 ounces. Ball pressure is between 4.5 and 6.0 pounds.

Playing the ball:

Each team is entitled to a maximum of three hits (in addition to blocking) to return the ball over the net to the other team.

Scoring

There are two scoring systems in the game of volleyball: the Rally Point Scoring and Sideout Scoring systems.

Rally point scoring

The team winning a volley or "rally" scores a point and then earns the right to serve. When this happens all the players rotate one position clockwise. The best of three or best of five games will win matches.

Each non-deciding game will be won by the team that first scores 25 points with a minimum two-point advantage. If there is a deciding game, it will be won by the team that first scores 15 points with a minimum two-point advantage (no scoring cap).

Sideout scoring

Only the serving team may score a point, except in the deciding game when rally-point scoring is used. When the receiving team wins a rally, it gains the right to serve (also scoring a point in the deciding game), and its players rotate one position clockwise. Rotation ensures that players play at both the net and the back zone of the court.

A team wins a game by scoring 15 points with a two-point advantage and wins the match by winning the best of three or five games. In the event of a 16-16 tie, the team scoring the 17th point wins a non-deciding game with only a one-point advantage. In a deciding game there is no point cap.

Serves

Underhand serve

The serving player stands facing the net with the foot opposite the hitting hand forward. The ball is held at waist level. The player leans forward as he or she swings an arm forward and contacts the ball; the hand holding the ball is dropped just before the contact. The player then hits underneath the ball with the fist or heel of the hand. The hitting arm follows through in the direction of the target.

Overhand serve

With a firm wrist, the player tosses the ball 18 inches above his or her head so that the ball falls to the spot just inside of the lead foot and in line with the hitting shoulder. The player's elbow and hand are at shoulder height or above throughout the entire serving motion. The player shifts his or her weight to the lead foot and contact is made with the ball.

Offensive passes

Once the ball is served and is in play, the teams take turns passing the ball back and forth. Players can use a variety of passes to get the ball over the net including: the Forearm Pass/Dig, Passing With Movement, Setting/Overhand Pass, and Hitting/Spiking.

The forearm pass/dig

The basic skill is called the "pass" when receiving the serve, and the "dig" when handling an opponent's attack. The player begins by getting into the "ready position" with his or her arms away from the body. As the ball comes to the player, he or she contacts the ball with the forearms. The pass or dig is completed with the player's hands pointing at the target.

Passing with movement

Begin this pass by getting into the ready position. The player raises his arms above his head, with his spread fingers shaped like a ball. Form a triangle with your thumbs and pointer fingers - but keep your hands apart! Place your hands directly in front of the face close to your forehead. This is called the neutral position. When you make contact with the ball, extend your arms so the ball goes over the net.

Setting/overhand pass

Get into the ready position and wait for the ball with your hands 4 to 6 inches above your forehead. Keep your thumbs and index fingers in a triangle through which you can see the ball and have your hands in the shape of a ball.

Contact the ball just above your forehead. Move your hands in one direction and extend and "freeze" your arms in the direction you want the ball to go.

Hitting/spiking

As the ball comes toward you, jump up and pull your arm back with your elbow and hand at shoulder height. Keep your hand open and relaxed with the palm facing away from your ear. Swing your elbow forward and raise your arm above your head to make contact with the ball with the heel of your hand.