Volleyball Study Guide s1

VOLLEYBALL STUDY GUIDE

I.  HISTORY

A.  Volleyball was originated by William J. Morgan in Holyoke, Massachusetts in a Y.M.C.A. The year was 1895.

B.  The game was called Minonette for the first year and was played with five players.

C.  In the early 1920’s the basic game was changed to most of the rules we use today.

D.  The first collegiate team was organized in 1928. Organized volleyball is played from the professional level (Beach Volleyball) to the middle school level.

II.  THE COURT AND NET

A.  The volleyball court is roughly 60 feet by 30 feet (18m or 59 ft long and 9m or 29.5ft wide, divided into 9m×9m halves by a one-meter [40-inch] wide net. A spiking line is located ten feet (3 m) from the center court line. No back row player may block or spike from above the net while in front of this line.

B.  The net is 7 feet 4 and a quarter inches tall for women’s volleyball.

C.  The net is 8 feet tall for men.

III.  NATURE OF THE GAME

A.  Six players are on the court per team. Each team is divided into front row and back row positions so that no single player may stand at the net and dominate the game. Players rotate clockwise or to the right.

B.  There are many variations of offense in volleyball. Offenses are usually distinguished by the number and position of the setters.

a.  4-2 indicates that there are two setters and four attackers – each setter sets while in the middle front

b.  I 4-2 indicates that there are two setters and four attackers – each setter sets while at the right front of the net to create a middle attacker

c.  5-1 indicates that there is one setter and five attackers. This gives a team three attackers (spikers) while the setter is in the back row

d.  6-2 indicates that there are two setters who also attack. The back row setter does the setting.

C.  Basic Defenses

a.  Man Up – two blockers, three diggers, and one person behind the block to cover tips

b.  Rotation – two blockers, four diggers

D.  Scoring

a.  Rally scoring was adopted in high school volleyball in 2003. A point is awarded for each serve.

b.  A game is awarded to the first team to get to 25 points (high school and middle school) with a two point advantage.

c.  A match consists of winning 3 out of 5 games except in middle school where teams must win 2 out of 3 games.

IV.  SKILLS

A.  Forearm Pass – The ball is with the arms extended in front of the body. This positioning of the arms is called a platform. The movement is a controlled swing of the platform finishing with the hands together and pointing to the target (setter). Very little leg action is used except to transfer the weight of the body to the front foot as the pass is made.

a.  The elbows must be extended to be an effective passer.

b.  The ball must be kept away from the body.

c.  The player should pass the ball from a position close to the floor (low – zone passing). Knees should be bent.

B.  Set – Using a triangular or diamond formation of the fingers (window) above the forehead to place the ball in position to be spiked.

a.  Setting is the most vital position in volleyball.

b.  Setting is the most demanding (in terms of skill development) position.

C.  Spike – Jumping into the air and forcefully hitting the ball down into the opponent’s court.

a.  The approach most often used is a three step approach before jumping.

b.  As in serving, the ball is contacted with an open hand for control.

D.  Serve – Used to put the ball into play.

a.  Underhand – the simplest and easiest to learn

b.  Overhead – a more advanced serve

c.  Jump Serve – has tremendous top spin and comes down earlier than many players anticipate. This is the most advanced type of serve.

E.  Block – A defensive play to prevent the ball from crossing to your side of the net

V.  BASIC RULES

A.  The ball is put into play with a serve. The server must remain behind the baseline until after the ball is contacted.

B.  A net foul occurs if a player touches the net while the ball is in play. This will result in a point for the other team.

C.  Clean contact is mandatory to avoid a violation. Clean contact means the ball does not remain in contact with any part of the body. Holding, throwing, or “palming” the ball is a violation.

D.  The sidelines and baselines are considered “in” bounds.

E.  Each team is allowed three hits to return the ball. The block does not count as a contact or a hit.