Volleyball-Study Guide
History
Volleyball began in 1895 at a YMCA in Holyoke, Massachusetts by William J. Morgan. The United States Volleyball Association was formed in 1928. The rules have changed very little over the years. Volleyball is now played in the Olympics, schools, colleges, recreation centers, playgrounds, camps, and churches throughout the world.
General Information
Regulation volleyball teams have six players on a team. The positions are left, center, and right forward, and left, center, and right backs. The object of the game is to keep the ball from hitting the floor on your side of the net by returning it so that it will strike the floor of the opposing team. The ball is put into play by the serve and is volleyed until one team commits an error or allows the ball to contact their side of the floor. A good team will try to bump, set, and spike the volleyball during each possession. Players rotate positions after gaining possession of the ball. Rotation is clockwise with the server always serving from the back right position. A team can only score when their team is serving the ball. Regular volleyball rules require a team to score 15 points for a win, while ralley scoring requires a team to score 25 points for a win. A team must win by two points.
Rules
1. Only one chance is given on a serve and it must go in the opponent’s court without hitting the net, ceiling, or one or your own players.
2. A player is not allowed to touch the net, to reach over the net, or step over the center line (you can step on it).
3. Holding, catching, or throwing the ball is not allowed during play.
4. A ball landing on a boundary line is “in”.
5. If the ball is touched during play, it is considered a hit.
6. The ball may be played only three times by one team while on their side. A player may not hit the ball twice in a row.
7. A player may not step on the service line while serving the ball.
8. At the end of each game, teams exchange sides with the loosing team serving first.
9. A point or “side out” occurs when:
-the ball touches the floor
-a team plays the ball more than three times
-the ball is held, pushed, or hit illegally
-a player touches the ball twice consecutively, except when blocking
-a player touches the net
-a player lands in the opponent’s court during play
-a server is out of rotational order
-the server has served incorrectly
Definitions
Match—Winning two out of three games.
Set—An overhead pass made by contacting the ball with both hands, using the pads of the fingers and thumbs, with the fingers spread apart.
Spike—Striking the ball with one hand so that the ball is driven forcefully
into the opposing teams court. Usually follows a set.
Fault—An infraction of the rules.
Game point—The last point in a game.
Bump—A forearm pass with both hands connected.
Side out—When the serving team fails to win a point or plays the ball illegally.
Serve—The method of putting the ball into play over the net by striking it with one hand.
Dig—A one handed pass that saves the ball before it hits the ground.
Ace—A serve that is good and untouched by the opposing team.