WHAT IS VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball is a team sport played by two teams, each including six players, on a rectangular
court separated by a net. The primary goal of the game is to accumulate points by sending the ball
over the net and into the opponent's court in a way that prevents the other team from successfully
returning it before it making contact with the ground.

History of Volleyball

 William G. Morgan of Holyoke City, Massachusetts created a game called “Mintonette” in

February 9, 1895. Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)

 Morgan borrowed the net from tennis, and raised it 6 feet 6 inches above the floor, just above the
average man's head.

 Elwood S. Brown introduced it in the Philippines in 1910.

 In 1947, the Federation Internationale De Volley-Ball (FIVB) was founded in Paris.

 it was first played as demonstration sport in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

 During a demonstration game, someone remarked to Morgan that the players seemed to be
volleying the ball back and forth over the net, and perhaps "volleyball" would be a more
descriptive name for the sport. Dr. A. F. Halstead renamed it to Volleyball.

 On July 7, 1896 at Springfield College the first game of "volleyball" was played. In 1900, a special
ball was designed for the sport.

 In 1900 the YMCA spread volleyball to Canada, the Orient, and the Southern Hemisphere.
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
Playing Area – It includes the playing court and the free zone. It shall be rectangular and
symmetrical. The playing court is a rectangle measuring 18 x 9m, surrounded by a free zone which
is a minimum of 3 m wide on all sides.

Net

a. The net is placed vertically over the center line whose top is set at the height of 2.43 m for men
and 2.24 m for women.
b. It is 1 m wide & 9.50 to 10 m long, made of 10 cm square black mesh.
c. Two side bands are fo astened vertically to the net and placed directly above each sideline.
d. An antennae is a flexible rod 1.80 m long and 10 mm in diameter. It is fastened at the outer edge of
each sideband.
Posts
a. The posts supporting the net are placed at a distance 0.50 -1.00 m outside the sidelines. They are
2.55 m high and preferably adjustable.
b. The posts are rounded and smooth, fixed to the ground without wires.

Balls
The ball shall be spherical, made of a flexible leather or synthetic leather case with a bladder inside
made of rubber or a similar material.
b. Its color may be a uniform light color, or a combination of colors.
c. Its circumference is 65-67 cm and its weight is 260-280 g.

Other Equipment
Players of a team are uniformly dressed in jerseys, shorts, socks and sport shoes. Jerseys of each
team has a different color.
 VOLLEYBALL POSITIONS

Serving Specialist- A serving specialist is a player who subs in just to serve. These players
typically have a very tough or very consistent serve, and they come in for a player who is less strong
behind the service line, but otherwise very valuable to have on the court as an offensive or defensive
threat.
Libero- Liberos wear a jersey of a different color and play in the back row five out the six
rotations, usually subbing in for both middle blockers. When the libero comes in for another player, it
does not count as a substitution. Liberos are defensive and serve-receive specialists who are typically
fast and are able to change direction quickly. Liberos are not permitted to attack the ball from above
the height of the net, and they can only overhand set a front-row attacker from behind the 10-foot line.
Setter- The setter is the playmaker, point guard or the quarterback of the volleyball team. A
setter’s responsibility is to run the team’s offense and build up offensive scoring opportunities for the
team. The setter is the backbone of the offense and makes the decisions about who gets the ball
when. She touches the ball on the second contact and delivers it to her hitters.
Middle Blocker- Middle blockers are the team’s best blockers, and they hit mostly fast-tempo
sets from the middle of the court and behind the setter. Typically, the libero goes in for the middle
when he or she rotates to the back row. Middle sets are some of the most difficult to set and require
good passes, therefore middles often get the fewest sets but have the best hitting percentages.
Outside hitter ( left side)- hits from the left side of the court. The left side of the court is the
strong side for right-handed players. The outside typically gets the most sets, especially when the
setter is out of system, due to the fact that the outside set is one of the easier options to set. Playing
on the outside hitter’s position requires great all-around skills because they play through the front row
and the back row. Outside hitter’s passing responsibility makes them extremely important player for
the team.
Opposite Hitter/right side hitter- hits from the right side of the court. -The right side of the
court is the strong side for left-handed players. Opposite hitters don’t have the passing responsibilities.
They stand behind the passers on the rotation while libero and outside hitters pass the ball and place
themselves to the left front, right front or right back playing position.

BASIC SKILLS IN VOLLEYBALL

SERVING -Used to put the ball in play. The action is done with arm swing that sends the ball
over the net into the opponent's court.

Serve - feet close together, hold ball straight out with non-hitting arm, hitting arm pulls behind
head, toss ball straight up, step with opposite foot and hit the ball with the palm of the hitting arm, do
not snap the wrist – it is a float serve because the ball should not spin
- TIP: stare at the ball and aim dead center as you hit it
 Underhand Serve an underhand serve is a type of serve in which the player holds the ball in
one hand, swings the other in an arc motion below the waist and strikes the ball from the bottom with
a fist to put it in play.

Overhand/Overhead Serve - The overhand (overhead) serve is the most popular serve in
high school and college. The two main overhand serves are the top spin and float. Overhand serving
is similar to throwing a ball. The overhand serve is tougher to pass than the underhand serve
because it comes faster and drops faster

Passing/Forearm Pass- Used to receive the ball from your opponents, as in service, or as a
technique to accurately control the ball in a way that eliminates lifting or carrying the ball. the
fundamental action of passing is to rebound the ball off of the forearms (which are held together
tightly with the palms and thumbs positioned together) from a slightly squatted and balanced position

Setting -This passing technique lets you move the ball in every direction on the court, take
high serve balls and most importantly set the ball for the attacker to spike. Used to receive a
teammate's pass in order that the play may continue by passing the ball overhead to an attacker. the
fundamental action of setting is to contact the ball with the finger pads momentarily at the forehead
and following through with arms fully extended to the hitting target
Spiking Used to put the ball into the opponent's court in order to earn a point or side out. the
fundamental action of attacking incorporates a quick approach followed by a strong, full arm swing,
and follow-thru.
Spikes - start from just behind the attack line, take 2 big steps for your approach then jump,
(as you jump,) swing your arms to get more height, throw your hands up towards the ball, Pull your
hitting arm back, and snap your wrist as you hit the ball with your entire hand (this creates topspin)
- TIP: focus on timing your jump, the hitting part will improve dramatically
- TIP – jump as if hitting a hard spike, gently guide the ball with the fingers

Blocking -Used to stop the ball from crossing the net as a result of an opponent's attack. A
block is effective if it immediately places the ball back into the opponent's court or if it temporarily
slows down the ball in order for a defender to make a dig. The fundamental action of blocking is to
stand facing the net with feet shoulder width apart, arms nearly extended above the head, ready to
jump above the net to deflect the ball back into the opponent's court. Blocking volleyball keys are
positioning, timing, and movement. To be an effective blocker, you need to stay in a balance position
ready to anticipate.
Blocking - stand almost at an arm’s length from the net, jump a split second after the hitter
Jumps, reach over the net as far as you can with your hands, with fingers spread out, tighten up your
body to get some “attitude” in your block
- TIP: blocking is 50% technique/timing, and 50% attitude!
 Switching - players may switch places as soon as the ball is served, just make sure you don’t
cross with the players that are adjacent to you (before the serve)

The referring corps for a match is composed

of the following officials:
1. the 1st referee
2. the 2nd referee
3. the scorer
4. line judges

1st Referee
Responsibilities:
1. Prior to the match, the 1st referee:
a) inspects the conditions of the playing area, the balls and other equipment;
b) performs the toss with the team captains;
c) controls the teams' warming-up.
2.During the match, he/she is authorized:
a) to issue warnings to the teams;
b) to sanction misconduct and delays.

2nd Referee
Responsibilities:
At the start of each set, at the change of courts in the deciding set and whenever necessary, the 2nd
referee checks that the actual positions of the players on the court correspond to those on the line-up
sheets.
During the match, he/she decides, whistles and signals:
a) penetration into the opponent's court, and the space under the net;
b) positional faults of the receiving team;
c)the faulty contact of the player with the net primarily on the blocker’s side and with the antenna on
his/her side of the court;
d)completed block by back row players or the attempted block by the Libero; or the attack hit fault by
back row players or by the Libero
e) the contact of the ball with an outside object;
f) At the end of the match, he/she checks and signs the score sheet.

SCORER
He/ she keeps the score sheet according to the rules, co-operating the 2nd referee.
He/she uses a buzzer or other sound device to notify irregularities or give signals to the referees on
the basis of his/her responsibilities.

PRIOR TO THE MATCH AND SET, THE SCORER:

 registers the data of the match and teams (names and numbers, signatures of captain and
coaches)
 records the starting line-up of each team from the line up sheets
SCORER DURING THE MATCH, THE SCORER:
● records the points scored
● control the intervals between sets
● controls serving order

AT THE END OF THE MATCH, THE SCORER:

● records the final result
● signs the score sheet, before obtaining the signatures of the team captains and the referees

LINE JUDGES
● perform their functions by using flags
● the ball in or out whenever the ball lands near their lines
● foot fault of the server
● any contact with top 80 cm of the antennae on their side of the court by any player during his/her
action of playing the ball

Officiating in Volleyball
a. Hand Signals

1. Illegal Alignment/ Improper Server

In Volleyball teams must start each rally in a specific rotation. This means players must stand in the
correct order on court

2. Line Violation

When serving in volleyball it is illegal to step on or over the baseline during the serve.The baseline
are the two lines that form each end of the Volleyball court .
The officials that are normally in charge of the side and baselines are the line judges.
If a line judge or even referee spots a player stepping on or over the line when serving they would
indicate this in the following way.

3. Illegal Hit

Although volleyball looks rather simple and easy to pick up when you dive deep into the technique it
can actually be very challenging.
With that in mind there are a lot of movements and motions that are considered illegal when playing
the ball.

4. Delay of Service

Once the referee has blown the whistle to initiate the start of the rally, a player has 8 seconds to
serve the ball.
If for whatever reason the player takes longer than the allocated 8 seconds, the referee will award the
point to the other team for the delay in service.
5. Over-the-Net

Now this rule is actually not as straightforward as it sounds and to the untrained or inexperienced
player this is actually a very misleading rule.
In volleyball you are not allowed to reach over the net to attack the ball, however, there are actually
quite a few exceptions to this rule.

6. Net Foul or Net Serve

This is certainly one of the more well-known rules in volleyball however even this simple rule is
sometimes misunderstood.
In volleyball you actually can touch the net providing it does not affect the rally or run of play. With
that being said there are very few situations in which someone touching the net wouldn’t affect the
run of play.
Just to clarify a net violation includes the net and antenna.

7. Legal Back Row Attack

Now I will be honest until I decided to put together this article I never knew this call even existed and
to be honest I am still struggling to find a situation in which this would even be used?
In volleyball if a player is back row they are not allowed to attack the ball from in front the 3m (10 foot)
line, unless they jump from behind the line.

8. Illegal Attack of Serve/ Back Row Attack

In volleyball, especially at top level, a backrow is very viable option and is used an awful lot.
As I said above, in volleyball it is illegal for a back row player to attack the ball from on or in front of
the 3m (10 Foot) line.
When focusing on the ball it is very difficult to judge exactly where the dividing line is and as such an
illegal back row attack may occur.
It is also illegal to attack the ball from above the height of the net directly from a serve. This is to
prevent people from jumping up and trying to block or spike the serve back.

9. Illegal Blocking or Screening

Now this may come as a surprise to you as you will often see players from the serving team grouping
at the net and raising their arms to restrict the receiving teams view.
However screening or blocking the line of sight is actually illegal in volleyball.
With that being said there is a rather loose interpretation of this rule.

10. Ball Touched

Everybody knows that if the ball lands out of bounds it is a point to the opposite team of the player
who touched it last. When a ball is hit by the attacking side it is quite common for the blockers or
defenders to get a touch on the ball. It is important for officials to notice this, as if the ball was to land
out after a touch from the blockers or defenders, the attacking team would be awarded the point.
This is known as touch out or ball touched.
11. Four Hits

Each team is allowed 3 hits/ contacts from when the ball crosses the net to the point in which it must
be returned back over the net.

The only exception to this rule is when a player blocks the ball, this does not count as a touch
towards the team 3 touches, it also does not count as a touch for the individual player, this means a
player can block the ball and then play it a second time without committing a fault.

12. Double Hit

Although each team gets three contacts before the ball must be returned, with the exception of the
blocking rule mentioned above, a player cannot contact the ball twice simultaneously.
What I mean by this is if a player receives the ball from the opposition, another player must touch the
ball before the player that first received it can touch it again.
This rule is the bain of every setter to have ever played the game. When hand setting it is very easy
to double contact the ball.

13. Ball Lands In

When the ball lands in a point is awarded to the team who was able to ground the ball on the
opposition’s side and between the lines. Obviously, an official needs a way of indicating whether the
ball landed in or out of the court. Especially in situations where it is tight to the line and could go either
way.

14. Out of Bounds/ Antenna Violation

If the ball lands out of bounds or touches the aerial the opposing team would be awarded the point.
Just to clarify out of bounds encapsulates a few different things. The ball is considered out of bounds
if it lands outside the court lines, contacts the net outside the antenna, the supporting or guide ropes
of the net or the post and referee stand.

15. Begin Serve

It is important that every player on the court understands when the serve is about to come. In
volleyball it is illegal to serve without the official signaling the start of the rally.

16. Authorization to Enter Court

If you don’t watch much high level/ professional volleyball or infact play a decent standard yourself
you may not have ever seen this official hand signal.
After timeouts or even before new sets are about to start the teams must line up along the sideline
where the referee stand is located.

17. Point Awarded

Now many of these hand signals show what fault has occurred, which to the players is often more
than enough for them to determine who has won the point.

However in times in which the decision can go either way or infact just to make the decision clear to
all spectators the official is able to show which side has been awarded the point.
18. Replay/ Let

This is certainly a signal that I feel is used a lot more at lower level volleyball.
A replay or let is shown for a few different reasons in Volleyball. Where multiple games are being
played at the time, occasionally balls or even players may enter a different court. This not only causes
a health and safety risk to the players on court but can also lead to obstruction or hindrance. In these
situations the fairest and safest option is to halt play and replay the point.

19. Substitution

Much like many other sports Volleyball uses substitutions.

Substitutions are used for many reasons, whether it be to replace an injured player, change up the
lineup or simply just to swap in a service specialist to try and get a few aces. If a team wants to sub in
a player they must follow a simple process.

The player which is to be substituted in will be given the number of the player that they are to replace.
The coach will mention to the referee that they would like to substitute a player.

20. Illegal Substitution

There are actually quite a few rules regarding substitutions.

Aside from the points I raised above about the process in which a substitution must be carried out
there are also a few extras that bear mentioning.
For example if a player is substituted, if the coach wishes to substitute the previously swapped player
back into the game, they can only do so if they sub them back in place of the player who previously
replaced them. For example if you want to substitute in a player to serve in place of a middle.

21. A Time-Out

In volleyball teams are allocated a certain number of time-outs per set. These timeouts can be used
for a multitude of reasons.
Whether it’s discussing tactics with your team, give a motivational speech or simply just to break out
the play.

21. B Officials Time-Out

I will be honest in the years I have both been playing and spectating volleyball I have never seen this
signal used. Whilst I can see there might be a need for it, these situations are so few and far between
that I have never seen it used.
The signal I am referring to is the official’s time-out.

22. Unnecessary Delay

This rule has actually undergone changes recently to reduce the severity of the penalty if this offense
occurred. An unnecessary delay is exactly what it says on the tin. This is a delay to recommencing
play that is deemed excessive or unnecessarily long.

23. End of Game

Now this one really doesn’t need much explaining as it is very self-explanatory.
This signal is used to indicate the end of the game.
24. Change of Court Sides

In volleyball after each set the teams must switch sides.

After the referee has signaled the end of the set they will place one arm in front of them and the other
arm behind them.