VOLLEYBALL

• Volleyball now has international popularity and has been in the television
spotlight. It has been an Olympic sport since 1964. It is one of the world's
most popular sports.

• The game of volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a

teacher at a YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He combined parts of tennis,
baseball, basketball, and handball to create a new game to be played
indoors by people who wanted less physical contact than basketball.
Morgan borrowed the net from tennis and raised it 6ft 6 inches above the
floor, a little higher than an average man's head.

• It is a fun sport that is easy to learn and can be played in a gym, at the
beach, or on grass Playing volleyball will help improve one's cardio,
flexibility, balance, and coordination.
Fun Facts
• Beach volleyball became an Olympic event at the 1996 Summer
Olympics in Atlanta.

• Volleyball was called mintonette at first, but it was later changed

to volleyball, to describe the way players volley the ball back and
forth over the net.

• The lethal combination of setting the ball for another player to

spike it hard to the other side was invented in the Philippines. This
tactic was originally called the Philippine Bomb.
Facilities and Equipment
• The standard competitive volleyball court measures 60 ft. long by 30 ft. wide. The center line runs under
the net dividing the court into two (2) equal sides. An attack line runs 10 ft behind the net on each side of
the court. The attack line divides the front and back zones. The net measures 8 ft. 11 5/8 inches tall for
standard men's competition and 7 ft, 41/4 inches tall for standard women's competition, according to the
USA Volleyball and International Federation of Volleyball Rule books. Also, there is at least a 2-inch line
that borders the court to serve as the out-of-bounds line. Any ball that touches the line during play is still
considered “in” the court. The volleyball on the other hand has a circumference of 65-70 cm and weighs
260-280 g with inside pressure of 0.3-3.25 kg/cm2.

Terms and Lingo

• Ace- When the ball is served to the other team and no one touches it.
• Side out- When the team that served the makes a mistake, causing the ball to go to the other team.
• Roof – When a player jumps above the height of the net and blocks the ball.
• Dig – When a player makes a save from very difficult spike.
• Kill – When a team spikes the ball and it ends in either a point or a side out.
Players
• There must be two (2) teams with six (6) players each on the court to begin play. Players follow the proper
rotational order through each set. Players rotate between six (6) positions on the court, including three (3)
back-row positions behind the attack line and three (3) front-row positions in front of the attack line. Each
time a team gains the right to serve, its players must rotate one position clockwise. Once the server contacts
the ball players can move out of their rotational positions to play the point. Players in a hack-row position
must not attack the ball above the net and in front of the attack line, however.

• Positions are numbered, one through six, starting with the server in the back right corner. Then going in a
counter-clockwise direction, the rest of the positions are numbered. Though the actual direction of the
rotation is clockwise. After the server finishes, the other team gets the ball and everyone prost shifts to the
right one spot.

• Rotation, if not fully understood, can be a very confusing part of the game. In basic volleyball, each player
just rotates to the next position as the plays go along. Any time a player is in the back row, she cannot
"attack" the ball in front of the 10-foot line on the court. This rule is in effect to make sure that the strong
hitters aren't always able to dominate the game. When the strong hitters are in the back row, they can still
attack the ball on the third hit, but they cannot jump in front of the 10-foot line.
Positions
• Outside Hitter-The outside hinter is focused on the left side of the court and a generally the main attacking
position. They tend to get most of the sets and most of the attacking shots in the game.
• Middle Blocker-This volleyball position is both the main blocker and the attacker for the middle of the net.
Top level teams will often have two 123 players playing this position on the court at the same time.
• Setter - The setter's main job is to put the hall in the perfect place for the attackers. Typically, they will take
a pass from another player and take the second touch. They will try to put the ball softly in the air at just the
right height for an attacker to spike the ball into the opponent's court. The setter also runs the offense. They
have to be quick both physically (to get to the ball) and also mentally (to decide where and who to set the
ball to). The volleyball position setter is much like the point guard in basketball.
• Libero/Defensive Specialist - These two (2) positions are not one and the same, but the descriptions for
each are very similar. Defensive specialists only play in the back row, but if they want to come in the game,
they must make a substitution with the referees. Liberos only play back row, but they are allowed to go in
and out the game as much as they need. Bookkeepers usually have a trucking sheet for the libero. Liberos
must wear a different jersey than the rest of the team to differentiate between them and the rest of the team.
They do a lot of rolling and digging to keep the hall in play.
• Week side Hitter - The week side hitter is positioned on the right side of the court. This is the backup
attacker. Their primary job is blocking against the opposing team's outside hitter) and also mentally to decide.
The hitters, attackers, and
blockers are generally tall players
that can jump high. They need to
be able to jump above the net for
spikes and blocks. Setters and
liberos players need to be quick
and able to pass and set the ball
with a lot of control.
Serving
Teams complete a coin toss or a volley before the game to determine the team that will serve first. The team who
serves first in the previous set will be the receiving team in the next set. The player in the back right position in the
rotation serves the hall. The server steps behind the line at the very back of the court, called the end line, and has
freedom to serve from wherever she pleases as long as the foot does not touch or cross the line. If the server's foot
crosses the end line, it is considered a foot fault, and results in a side- out a change in possession of the hall. If the
serve hits the net or lands out of bounds, the server's team loses the point. The same player continues to serve until
his her team loses a point. When a team loses a point on its serve, the other team gains the right to serve.
The server must make the ball go over the net on the serve. It doesn't matter if the ball touches the net. Balls that hit
the net on serves and still go over and stay in the court are allowed. These serves are called "let serves.“
No player can ever make contact with the ball twice in succession, and the ball cannot be caught or carried over the
net. A block is not considered as part of a hit.
The Underhand Serve- The underhand serve is simple- the player holds the ball in the hand opposite from the
hitting hand in a right handed player would hold the ball in the left hand. Hold the ball below the waist and above the
knee so that with bent knees, the server is in good position to get the ball over the net.
For a left-handed player, the ball should be held still in the left hand, and the right hand should make a fist with the
thumb on top of the folded-in fingers. The right fist should make contact with the underside of the ball, and the point
of contact is on the palm side of the right hand, between the folded-in fingers and the wrist. Bring the right arm back
and swing through to make contact with the hall and send it over the net. The left hand should hold the ball still do
not throw the ball up or move it. The underhand serve is mainly used for lower skill levels.
• Overhand Serves (The Flouter)-Starting with the feet, put the left foot in front of the right, about shoulder width
apart. Then, hold the ball at about eye-level with the left hand on the bottom and the right hand on top. The toss
should only be high enough so that when pulling back the right arm, the hand contacts the ball on its downward
swing. Players toss the ball with the left hand, pull back the right arm as far as possible and swing but not all the
way through.
• Players stop the motion of the right arm when the hand is in contact with the ball, as if they're punching the ball to
the other side of the net, and stops snapping their wrist. This serve allows the ball to float and wiggle in the air. This
makes its positioning on the opposite side of the court very hard to read, and it confuses people, making it difficult
for opponents to return float serves.
• Topspin-The beginning steps for the topspin serve are just like the floater, but the toss for the topspin must be
higher. Players toss the ball high enough so that the right arm can come down on the ball in a snapping motion on
the underside of the ball.
• Players continue the motion of the right arm when it contacts the ball; rather, turning their shoulder away from the
hall, swing all the way through and snapping their wrist. Snapping the wrist will deliver a hard and fast serve to the
opponent.
• Jump Serve-This is a very advanced type of serve, and it should only be used at high skill levels. Instead of keeping
the feet stationary, the player tosses the hall high in the air and takes a multistep approach to hitting the ball.
Although the player may land in the court after the jump serve, the feet must leave the ground behind the end line
to be legal. The motions are similar to the topspin serve, but they are done in the air. Jump serves are very effective,
but they are often inaccurate because of the inconsistency of tosses Most beginners will serve the ball underhand to
make sure they get the ball in play. Expert volleyball players will serve the ball overhand, however. Some players
work on getting a topspin on the ball so it will dive quickly into the court. Other players will hit the ball with no spin
making it float and possibly change directions in the air erratically. To get more speed and angle on the serve, some
players employ a jump serve where they toss the ball in the air and jump to hit the hall at a high point.
Playing the Ball
• During each possession on one side of the net, players work together to send the ball over the net in three
(3) hits or fewer without letting the ball touch the ground in their court or preventing the opposing team to
return the ball. The ideal sequence of contacts is usually a pass/bump, a set, and a hit spike. Blocks do not
count toward the team's hit total. If one (1) player hits the ball twice in succession or contacts the ball
illegally by palming, catching or throwing it, his her team loses the point. If a back-row player attacks the ball
illegally, his/her team loses the point. If any player touches the net or net posts, his her team loses the point.
Teams win points when the opposing team commits a violation, fails to return the ball over the net. lets the
ball touch the ground inbounds or hits the ball into the net or out of bounds.
• When the receiving team wins a volley, it gains the right to serve, and the players rotate one position
clockwise. But, when the serving team wins a volley, it wins a point and the right to continue serving.
Setting
This is the next bit in the sequence. A set is typically made with the fingertips to help control the positioning of
the ball for the attack. Strategies include forward or backward setting or dumping the volleyball quickly over
the net to an open spot before the opponent is ready.
• Bullwinkle so Superman-Usually the second contact of the possession is a set. In a set, the player uses the
finger pads to launch the ball high in the air toward hitters. The fingers should be in a diamond shape to start,
and they should finish outward, that is called the "Bullwinkle to Superman"
• Wrists are shock absorbers, not source of power-Most of the power for the set comes from the legs and the
triceps. It is not all in the wrist. Elbows come out wider than the shoulders and fully extend.
• Extend, extend, extend-Setters must know their hitters well-know where they like the balls placed, how high
in the air, etc. Strong right-handed hitters start in the front-left corner, lefties start in the front-night. Setters
also need to know where the blockers are on the other team and set up their hitters accordingly.
• Call the ball-If a teams is playing in the setter's position, it is their responsibility to get the second contact on
the ball on every play.
Hitting
The final shot in the sequence is the attack. Attacking the ball is all about timing and precision. The goal of the
third hit or spike is to make the ball difficult for the opposing team to return. Typically this is a spike or hard shot
where the attacker jumps and hits the set ball down hard into the opponent's side. Footwork and quick steps
prior to the jump can be key in hitting a winning shot. The attack doesn't have to be a spike, however. Other
effective shots can be dinks, dunks, and dips where the ball is hit quickly over or around the blockers and into an
open space on the court. The approach for a front-row attack starts several feet behind the 10-foot line. One
should be in an athletic position with his her knees and hips flexed, feet should be about shoulder-width apart,
and all weight should be on the balls of the feet.
Call it - Watch the ball and make sure the setter knows you want to hit by calling for the ball. Some advanced
teams call out numbers for each position, but any kind of call will work as long as your setter knows what's
happening.
• The Approach-The footwork for the approach goes back to what is most comfortable for you. There are
variations for all hitters, but usually there is a three- or four-step approach;
1. The first step (or two) is for DIRECTION. This tells the body which way it's going. Take a step with your left
foot (righties).
2. The last two (2) steps are quick. The second step is for POWER. This should be a big, long step with your
right foot. Bring your arms back as your right heel lands and your weight shifts.
3. The last step is to STOP forward motion. The jump begins when your left foot joins your right, and you push
off the floor Bring your arms back as in a topspin serve and swing through snapping your wrist. Beware of
blockers.

Rolling
This is a defensive skill used to help players get up quickly from passing a low ball. The libero or defensive
specialist is primarily the player who uses this skill the most Extend one arm out and sprawl for the ball then
roll over the shoulder of your extended arm and get back in ready position to play. It takes a lot of practice to
master this skill. One has to be confident and not afraid to hit the floor hard.
Blocking
• Another defensive skill, this comes into play when the opposing team is hitting. It is an essential part of volleyball
strategy. Players try to block the attack of the opponent and send the ball directly back into the others teams court.
Deciding when to block and when to back off and try to pass and set the attack shot is key to strategy. Often teams
and players will fake one and do the other to throw off the attacker.
• Usually, the arms extend straight up as the opposing team's hitter contacts the ball, and jump as high und close to the
net as possible to attempt to make the ball land back on the opposing team's side. Start with the knees bent and
hands next to the face, palms facing outward Players have to turn their hands accordingly to make the ball stay in the
court, i.e. if they're on the right side of the court blocking a right- handed hitter in left-front of the opposite side of the
court, they must turn their right hand in toward the court so the ball doesn't go out of bounds. If they'll go up to block
and the ball comes back down on their side of the net, their team is still allowed three (3) contacts before the bull
must be sent over the net.
Tipping/Dinking
• This defensive skill is used primarily by setters who cannot make an effective set or front-row players who cannot
execute a solid hit (or hitters who want to confuse the other team). When the ball comes close to the net, you simply
use your finger pads to "shoot" the ball back onto the other side of the court. This is most effective when a power
hitter has had several strong hits; the other team is ready for it, so they back up, which leaves huge holes in the
defense perfect for tipped or dinked balls.
Scoring
• In the 1990s, only the volleyball team serving could score a point on a won rally. Also, sets were typically played to 15
points. This was changed in 1999. Today, matches are divided up into sets. A typical match may be a best of five (5)
sets where the first team to win five (5) sets wins the match. In each set, the first team to 25 points wins as long as
they are two (2) points ahead. A point is scored on every rally, regardless of which team serves.
Basic Officials Hand Signals