We explain the rules of volleyball regarding the playing field, the position of the players and the types of hits.
What are the rules of volleyball?
Volleyball is a ball sport played by opposing teams of six players each. The two competing teams, each on one side of the net, must hit the ball with their hands and arms (or any part of the body) in such a way that it goes over the net and falls into the enemy’s territory.
To do this, they have a maximum of three consecutive hits before the ball goes over the net. And at all times they must keep it moving, without holding it, stopping it or accompanying it. In addition, no player can hit the ball twice in a row. You must read about Preconception once.
The game normally begins with a serve made by the team in charge, and from then on both rivals alternate between:
- Attack phases, in which they have control of the ball.
- Defensive phases, in which they anticipate the arrival of the ball over the net and the movements of the opposing team.
During both phases, the players have a fixed position on their respective courts, although within it they are allowed a certain freedom of movement. Under no circumstances may they cross the net into the opponent’s court, nor pass the ball under it.
Finally, the ball must be in continuous movement during the play, and always suspended in the air. The play ends when one of the teams fails to return the ball, and it touches the ground or leaves the playing area. Maybe you should definitely read about Easter once.
Volleyball teams and playing field
Volleyball teams are usually made up of twelve players, six of whom may be on the court at the same time. Each of them may switch during the game with their teammates on the bench on only one occasion.
Each team has a court next to the net, clearly delimited by the game lines, and at no time may they enter the opposing team’s court.
The playing field is a rectangle 18 meters long by 9 meters wide, divided at its center line by the net. This is suspended at about 2.4 to 2.2 meters high, depending on the game category.
Around it, there is a free zone, at least 3 meters wide, which separates the players from the public and where the game action can continue as long as the ball has not touched the ground. In addition, a free space above the court of around 7 meters high is required.
Each team’s court is delimited by a baseline and two sidelines, within which the ball must touch the ground for it to be scored by the opponent. This space is also divided into a defensive zone, far from the net, and an attacking zone, much closer to it.
There are usually two referees per game, located at both ends of the net and without entering the playing court.
Positions of volleyball players and rotation
Within their respective courts, players must occupy six specific positions, which are:
- Three forwards or attackers: These players must be positioned in a straight line in the attack zone, facing the net.
- Three backs or defenders: These players must be positioned in a straight line in the defensive zone, with their backs to the baseline.
- Two liberos: These players are interchangeable and have a strictly defensive role, meaning they can enter and leave the field of play during the defensive phases to replace another player, as long as they are not together on the court. This can occur in the middle of a play, but the return of the substituted player must wait until the play is over. The liberos dress differently from the rest of the team.
Normally, in a play, each player sticks to his position to cover a specific area within the court. However, when the team scores a point, its players must rotate positions clockwise, so that each one must play in all possible positions. This is known as “rotation.”
At the time of the initial serve of the play, the players must already be clearly positioned on the court and waiting.
volleyball ball and net
The volleyball is spherical, inflated and made of leather (or a similar synthetic material), and is usually light-colored, predominantly white. It is considerably smaller and lighter than a basketball or soccer ball: it has a circumference of 65 centimeters and weighs approximately 260 grams.
The net, on the other hand, measures 1 meter wide and 10 meters long, and is held on two posts located at the ends of the center line. It must be taut at all times and has two white bands that mark its beginning and end at the top and bottom of its length. The fact that the ball touches the net does not mean the end of the play or the point for the opponent, unless it is a serve.
Touches in volleyball
The ball can be hit in several ways throughout a play. These different touches are:
- Serve: This is the touch that starts the play, and is done by throwing the ball into the air with one hand and then hitting it with the other, either above or below the shoulder. The idea is that the ball goes over the net without interruptions and seeks the weak sides of the opposing team’s formation. This serve is done behind the baseline.
- Reception: This is the touch with which the ball is received or intercepted after the opponent’s serve, bringing both arms together in front of the chest to hit the ball with the forearm or the area near the wrist. It is a critical touch in this sport, since it must not only prevent the opponent’s serve from touching the ground, but it must also give the team itself the opportunity to set up a counter-offensive play.
- Setting: This is the touch that normally follows a successful reception. It is performed with the fingers of both hands, pushing the ball so that a third player can hit it over the net. It is a precise, simple and fast touch, which can be made on the ground or during a jump.
- Attack or smash: This is normally the final touch of the three allowed to a team, and consists of hitting the ball hard so that it goes over the net and enters the opponent’s court, seeking the ground. The attack can also be made during the first plays, both from the attacking position and from the defensive position.
- Block: This is the touch with which one seeks to prevent the opponent’s attack, that is, it is made from a defensive position. It consists of jumping parallel to the net, with both arms extended, looking for the ball to hit them and return to the opponent’s court, instead of opening the field towards one’s own.
Volleyball Fouls
As in other sports, in volleyball, the action will stop whenever a player commits a foul, that is, a movement contrary to the rules of the game or good sportsmanship. When this happens, a point will be awarded to the opposing team and the serve will be resumed.
The reasons for a foul in volleyball are the following:
- A player touches the ball twice in a row.
- A player retains the ball in some way.
- A player touches the ball in the opponent’s court.
- A player steps on the opponent’s court, or touches or invades the net.
- A player serves outside the service zone.
- A player is not in his zone when the action resumes.
- A defender spikes from the attack zone.
- A libero serves or spikes.
- A team makes more than three touches of the ball before passing it to the opponent’s court.
- A team makes a mistake when rotating the ball.
Sets and scoring in volleyball
A rally ends with a point for one of the two teams. Generally, a point is considered for the opponent if:
- The ball touches the ground in the opponent’s court, regardless of whether it was the opponent’s or own team that last touched the ball.
- During an attack, the ball leaves the opponent’s court and touches the ground in the free zone or beyond. Also if during a rally the ball touches the ceiling or hits the net or the posts on the outside of the court.
- The opponent’s team is responsible for retaining or following the ball, or if the reception occurs with an improper touch.
- The opponent’s team exceeds the maximum allowed of three continuous touches of the ball.
- At the time of a serve, the player of the opponent’s team that serves steps on the baseline or hits the net.
The team that scores the most points will win the match, the length of which can vary greatly, since there is no pre-established playing time.
A team must win three of five sets to be considered victorious. Each set ends when a team reaches or exceeds 25 points with at least a 2-point lead over its opponent (i.e. 25 to 23 points). If that lead is not achieved, play will continue until it is achieved.
Any team that accumulates three sets won will be the final winner. But if the fifth set is reached without a clear winner, this tie-break set will be played to 15 points only, and must also be won with at least a 2-point lead over the opponent (15 to 13).
History of volleyball
Volleyball is a relatively new sport, which began to be played in the United States at the end of the 19th century. William G. Morgan, a physical education teacher at the YMCA (the Young Men’s Christian Association, in Spanish), was looking for a sport that could be played indoors that was not as aggressive as the recently invented basketball.
Years later, it arrived in Europe with American troops in World War I. Since then, it gained notoriety among sports, until it became, in 1964, an Olympic sport, both in its men’s and women’s categories.
Its practice was especially popular in Eastern Europe. Nations such as Czechoslovakia, Poland, Bulgaria and the Soviet Union (later Russia) have traditionally been the great champions in this sport. Another very prominent country in women’s volleyball towards the end of the 20th century was Cuba.
Originally, volleyball was called mintonette, but its name soon changed to volleyball, given that players often volley the ball, that is, hit it in the air, interrupting its trajectory.
References
All the information we offer is supported by authorized and updated bibliographic sources, which ensure reliable content in line with our editorial principles.
- International Volleyball Federation. (1991). Volleyball Rules. Stadium.
- García, R. (2000). Volleyball. Commented rules. Stadium.
- Royal Spanish Volleyball Federation. (2012). Official volleyball rules. RFEV.
