Volleyball team

The rules of volleyball

Get ready for the next volley-ball match by learning the basic
rules of the game!

Volleyball is a sport opposing two teams of six players each. The game is played with one ball (too obvious?) and the aim is to score points by getting the ball to touch the ground in the opponent's court while preventing the opposing team from doing the same. Every action starts with a serve with one of the two teams throwing the ball directly over the net from the serving line. Let's step on the court to dive into the game with some basic rules!

Volleyball rules on the playing court

The FIVB official requirements for a regular volleyball court consist of a rectangular space, measuring 18 × 9 metres divided into two halves by a net. The height of the volleyball net will vary according to categories, age and gender. The volleyball court is thus divided into two 9 × 9-metre areas, each assigned to one of the teams. The three-meter line further divides the volleyball court into first-line and second-line, or attack zone and defence zone, this distinction will affect how some players may play during a rally.

The sidelines are part of the court, meaning that if the ball touches the ground on any of the three lines (side and service) the referee will call it in and a point will be scored! Volleyball rules contain no restriction on whether players can step outside the court during an action or not, they can chase a ball and save a point up to the moon, but there is one line they cannot cross and that is the centre line!  In fact that line marks the area of the opponent's team.  

Volleyball teams

Teams are composed of maximum of 14 players per team (this number may vary according to countries and categories) 7 of them will make up the starting lineup. One of the players may be the Libero, whose main task is to receive or defend and is allowed to enter "temporarily" at the place of one of the second-line players, with no limit on the number of substitutions. 

Each volleyball team is allowed only three touches to return the ball to the opposite field; players are not allowed to block the ball, which can only be played with clean touches. If the ball touches the net the rally is not over, the team is allowed the remaining touches to set the ball over to the opposing team.  In volleyball, unlike most other sports involving a net and two teams, the ball is allowed to touch the net.  What is forbidden, during any phase of a volleyball game is for players to touch the net, for this will result in a foul and the opposing team will score a "free" point.

The basic technical gestures of volleyball, or basic skills you need to master to play, are passing, bumping, serving, attacking and blocking, all of these gestures are performed with your hands or forearms but in extreme actions, it is also allowed to touch the ball with the foot. 

GIOCATORE FACENDO UN BAGHER

The match: how volleyball scoring works

A volleyball match consists of five sets, the first four end once one of the two teams scores 25 points, and the last one, called "tie break" is played to 15 points. A set is won when either one of the teams reaches the 25th point with at least a two-point lead, If both teams reach the 24-point mark, the set will end at 26, if both teams reach 25 points, it will end at 27, and so on. The team that first wins three sets, even if not consecutively, will win the match. Volleyball matches can therefore end with a result of 3-0, 3-1, or 3-2, so it is impossible to predict how long a volleyball game will last!

Each play in volleyball will result in scoring only one point, the rules of FIVB do not include any double-scoring situations! So each play, from the most spectacular block or spike to the easiest pass, will win the team the same result: 1 point! 

Volleyball ball: official rules

Official competition: what is needed

Let's start easy, the ball. According to FIVB the International Volleyball Federation, a volleyball must have a spherical shape, a circumference of 65 to 67 cm and a weight of 260 to 280 grams. The weight of the ball may vary according to the levels and categories.

The net: another iconic feature of the sport, it divides the players during every aspect of the game. Usually  made up of black threaded squares with an upper and lower white band, is a silent player  As much as it is part of the game no player is allowed to touch the net, or pass below it. Players at the net must be very careful, even accidental touches count!

Antennas: the official requirements for a volleyball game include the limitation of the playing court in the air! The two antennas, one at each side of the net will help players and referees judge if the ball is out of bounds or is it still in play. If the ball touches the antenna or passes outside of it the rally is over because it means the ball is out of bounds. Just like for the net, players are not allowed to touch the antenna.

Kneepads. Are they mandatory for a game? The answer is no. There is no rule about protections in the general volleyball book, this provision may vary according to categories and countries but in general, players are free to choose how they prefer to play their match.

Referee. Of course, you can rely on volleyball players' code of conduct but in some situations, it is just impossible to decide which team should score a point and that is why a referee (sometimes two or even three) is very much needed. Occasionally even with three of them, it is impossible to decide which team should score and that is when a "replay" is called. The first referee with both thumbs up in the air will cancel the rally and have it re-played. The team holding the service will have the ball back for a whole new action and no points are scored. 

To conclude, indoor volleyball is quite an easy game, all you need is a playing court, a ball, a net, two opposing teams that keep returning the ball to each other until one of the two scores 25 points at least three times.