HISTORICAL FACTS ABOUT VOLLEYBALL

Origin: Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a YMCA

instructor in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA. Originally called "mintonette," it
was designed as a less strenuous alternative to basketball.
Name Change: The name "volleyball" was coined by Alfred Halstead, who
observed the volleying nature of the game and suggested the name during
a demonstration match.
First Official Game: The first official volleyball game was played on July 7,
1896, at Springfield College (formerly known as the International YMCA
Training School), where Morgan taught.
Spread: Volleyball quickly spread across YMCA facilities in the United States
and internationally, becoming popular as a recreational and competitive
sport.
First Rules: Morgan's original rules for volleyball were modified over time.
The first rules included a net height of 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters) and any
number of players on each team.
Olympic Debut: Volleyball made its Olympic debut at the 1964 Tokyo
Games for men and the 1964 Tokyo Games for women. It has since become
one of the most popular Olympic sports.
FIVB Formation: The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) was
founded in 1947 in Paris, France, to govern and promote volleyball
worldwide. It now boasts over 220 member associations.
Beach Volleyball: Beach volleyball, a variation of the indoor game, gained
popularity in California during the 1920s and 1930s. It became an Olympic
sport in 1996.
Three-Touch Rule: The modern rule of allowing only three touches per side
before the ball must be returned over the net was introduced in 1920.
Scoring Systems: The scoring system has evolved over time. The current
rally scoring system, where points are scored on every serve, was adopted
in the late 1990s.
Uniforms: In the early days of volleyball, players wore casual attire. Today,
players typically wear specialized uniforms designed for performance and
comfort.
Volleyball Hall of Fame: The Volleyball Hall of Fame, located in Holyoke,
Massachusetts, USA, honors players, coaches, and contributors to the sport
of volleyball.
Libero Position: The libero position, a defensive specialist who wears a
different colored jersey and has certain restrictions on attacking, was
introduced in the late 1990s.
World Championships: The FIVB Volleyball Men's and Women's World
Championships have been held since 1949 and 1952, respectively,
showcasing top talent from around the globe.
Professional Leagues: Professional volleyball leagues exist worldwide,
including the Italian Serie A1, Brazilian Superliga, Russian Super League,
and others.
Technological Advances: Technology has influenced volleyball with
innovations such as instant replay, electronic line-judging systems, and
performancetracking devices.
Popularization in Schools: Volleyball is commonly taught in schools and
universities worldwide, promoting teamwork, coordination, and physical
fitness among students.
Volleyball Nets: Volleyball nets have undergone changes in material and
design over the years to improve durability, visibility, and safety.
Adaptive Volleyball: Adaptive volleyball programs cater to individuals with
disabilities, offering modified rules and equipment to make the sport
accessible to all.
Global Appeal: Volleyball's popularity continues to grow globally, with
millions of players and fans enjoying the sport at various levels of
competition and recreation.

VOLLEYBALL EQUIPMENT
1. Volleyball
Description:
The volleyball itself is the central component of the
game. It is typically spherical, made of synthetic
leather, and measures about 65-67 centimeters (25.6-
26.4 inches) in circumference. Volleyballs come in
various colors but are predominantly white.
Selection Criteria:
• Size: Volleyballs come in different sizes for
various age groups and levels of play. The standard size for adult men's
competitions is 65-67 centimeters in circumference, while for women
and youth, it's slightly smaller.
• Weight: Standard volleyball weights range from 260 to 280 grams (9.2
to 9.9 ounces).
• Material: Volleyballs are made of synthetic leather, which provides
durability, grip, and control.
2. Volleyball Net Description:
The volleyball net divides the court into
two halves and regulates the height at
which the ball is played over the net. It is
usually made of synthetic fibers such as
nylon and is bordered at the top and
bottom with a sturdy material like
canvas.

Selection Criteria:
• Size: Standard volleyball nets are 1 meter (3 feet 3 inches) wide and
9.5-10 meters (31 feet 2 inches to 32 feet 10 inches) long for indoor
play, and 8.59 meters (27 feet 11 inches to 29 feet 6 inches) long for
beach volleyball.
• Material: The net should be made of durable materials like nylon,
capable of withstanding weather conditions for beach volleyball.
• Height: The height of the net varies for men's, women's, and youth
competitions. For men, the standard height is 2.43 meters (7 feet 11
5/8 inches), and for women, it's 2.24 meters (7 feet 4 1/8 inches).
Youth net heights are adjusted accordingly.

3. Volleyball Antennas
Antennas are attached to the net to mark the
boundary of the playing area. They are typically
made of fiberglass or a similarly flexible material
and are usually red and white striped for visibility.

4. Volleyball Court Boundary Lines

Description:
Boundary lines mark the perimeter of the volleyball court, including the
sidelines and end lines. They are typically made of tape or paint and are of
contrasting colors to the playing surface for visibility.

BASIC VOLLEYBALL RULES

1. Hitting/Attacking:
• Spike: A powerful downward hit performed by jumping and
striking the ball with an open hand above the net.
• Tip/Dink: A soft hit usually performed with the fingertips to place
the ball strategically in the opponent's court.
• Roll Shot: A softer version of the spike where the player hits the
ball with a rolling motion of the hand, often used to place the ball
in open areas of the opponent's court.
2. Blocking:
• Single Block: A defensive technique where a player jumps and
raises both hands above the net to block the opponent's attack.
• Double Block: Two players work together to block the opponent's
attack, usually by coordinating their movements to cover more
space at the net.
3. Digging:
• Forearm Dig: Similar to the forearm pass, but used to retrieve
low balls hit by the opponent.
• Overhead Dig: When a player uses their hands above their head
to retrieve balls that are high and close to the body.

4. Footwork:
• Approach: The footwork used by hitters to approach the net
before jumping to attack.
• Shuffle Step: Used by defenders to move laterally to adjust to
the opponent's attacks.
5. Communication:
• Effective communication is crucial in volleyball to coordinate
movements, call shots, and provide encouragement to
teammates.
• Common terms include "mine" to indicate who should take the
ball, "out" to communicate that a ball is going out of bounds, and
"bounce" to encourage hitters to hit the ball hard and low.
6. Team Strategies:
• Rotation: Understanding rotation and player positions is essential
to maintain proper alignment on the court.
• Offensive Plays: Teams often employ various offensive strategies
such as quick sets, combination plays, and slides to confuse the
opponent's defense.
• Defensive Formations: Coordinating blocking and defensive
movements to effectively defend against the opponent's attacks.
7. Fitness and Conditioning:
• Agility drills, plyometric exercises, and strength training are
important to improve jumping ability, speed, and overall
endurance on the court.
VOLLEYBALL TERMS
1. Ace: A serve that lands in the opponent's court untouched or
committed with error, resulting in a point.
2. Block: A defensive play at the net where players jump to
intercept the ball as it is hit by the opponent.
3. Dig: A defensive play where a player passes or bumps a spiked or
hard-hit ball.
4. Kill: An attack that results in an immediate point or side out for
the team.
5. Set: A skill used to position the ball for a hitter to attack.
6. Spike: An attacking play where a player forcefully hits the ball
over the net into the opponent's court.
7. Serve: The act of initiating play by hitting the ball over the net to
the opponent's court.
8. Libero: A defensive specialist who wears a different colored
jersey and has specific rules regarding substitution and play.
9. Rotation: The movement of players around the court in a
clockwise manner after winning a rally.
10. Side out: The situation where the serving team loses the
serve and the opposing team gains the serve.
11. Middle Blocker: A player positioned near the net who
primarily focuses on blocking.
12. Outside Hitter: A player positioned near the sidelines who
typically attacks from the left or right side of the court.
13. Back row attack: An attack executed by a player who is
positioned in the back row.
14. Front row: The area of the court closest to the net where the
front-row players primarily play.
15. Back row: The area of the court farthest from the net where
the back-row players primarily play.
16. Rotation violation: An infraction that occurs when players
are not in the correct rotational order during service.
17. Setter dump: A tactic where the setter pushes the ball
lightly over the net instead of setting it for a hitter.
18. Joust: A situation at the net where two opposing players
simultaneously contact the ball.
19. Pancake: A defensive move where a player extends one
hand flat on the floor to prevent the ball from hitting the ground.
20. Rally: The continuous play between the serve and the point
being awarded.

BASIC VOLLEYBALL RULES

1. Scoring: Points are scored on every rally, with a point awarded to
the team that successfully grounds the ball on the opponent's
court or forces the opponent to commit a fault.
2. Game Objective: The primary objective is to score points by
grounding the ball on the opponent's court within the boundaries
or by forcing the opponent to commit a fault.
3. Court Dimensions: A volleyball court is 18 meters long and 9
meters wide, divided into two equal halves by a net that is 2.43
meters high for men and 2.24 meters high for women.
4. Team Composition: Each team consists of six players on the
court at a time, typically organized into positions such as setter,
hitter, blocker, and libero.
5. Service: The game begins with a serve, where a player from the
serving team hits the ball over the net into the opponent's court.
The serve must be executed from behind the end line.
6. Rotations: Players must rotate positions clockwise after winning
a rally and gaining the right to serve.
7. Touches: Each team is allowed a maximum of three touches
(excluding blocks) to return the ball over the net.
8. Foot Faults: Players must not step on or over the end line during
a serve, and they must not cross the center line during play.
9. Net Faults: Players are not allowed to touch the net with any part
of their body while the ball is in play.
10. OutIf the ball lands outside the boundary lines, it is
considered out-of-bounds, and the opposing team earns a point.
11. In: The ball is considered in-bounds if it lands on the
boundary lines or within them.
12. Player Substitutions: Substitutions can be made freely
during dead-ball situations, typically at the coach's or captain's
discretion.
13. Libero Rules: The libero, a defensive specialist, wears a
different color jersey and has restrictions on attacking and
blocking but has more freedom in terms of substitution.
14. Scoring System: Traditional volleyball games are played to
25 points, with the team needing to win by at least two points.
However, variations exist, such as rally scoring, where points can
be scored on every serve.
15. Timeouts: Each team is typically allowed a certain number
of timeouts per set, during which they can confer with coaches
and strategize.
16. Service Order: Players must serve in a specific order, which
rotates with each point won.
17. Rotation Violation: If players are not in the correct
rotational order during service, it results in a point awarded to the
opposing team.
18. Double Contact: Consecutive contacts by the same player
are not allowed, except for blocking and the first contact of a
team.
19. Antennae: The ball must pass between the antennae
(vertical poles extending from the net) during play.
20. Referee Decisions: Referees enforce rules and make
decisions regarding faults, touches, and other infractions, which
can be challenged by coaches if there are video review systems in
place.

Do's:
1. Follow the Service Rules:
o Serve behind the end line until after the ball is contacted.
o Ensure the serve crosses the net within the bounds of the
opponent's court.
2. Rotate Properly:
o Rotate in a clockwise direction every time your team wins the
serve.
3. Play the Ball Legally:
o Hit the ball with any part of your body, but ensure it’s a clean hit
(no prolonged contact or catching).
4. Maintain Proper Positioning:
o Remain in your designated rotational positions until the ball is
served.
o Front-row players stay in the front zone, and back-row players
stay behind the attack line when attacking.
5. Respect the Net Rules:
o Allow the ball to touch the net during play or serve.
o Play the ball without touching the net.
6. Block and Attack Correctly:
o Front-row players can block or attack above the net.
o Only back-row players can attack from behind the attack line.
7. Use Three Hits Wisely:
o Use the team’s three hits effectively to return the ball to the
opponent (e.g., bump, set, spike).
8. Communicate with Teammates:
o Call for the ball and coordinate plays to avoid collisions.
9. Observe Sportsmanship:
o Respect opponents, teammates, and referees. Celebrate points
but avoid taunting.
10. Stay Within the Boundaries:
o Ensure the ball stays within the court's lines during play.

Don'ts:

1. Don’t Touch the Net:

o Avoid touching the net or crossing under it during play.
2. Don’t Double Hit:
o A single player cannot hit the ball twice in succession unless it is
during a block.
3. Don’t Cross the Center Line:
o Players must not step over the centerline under the net, as it
could cause interference or injury.
4. Don’t Lift or Carry the Ball:
o Avoid prolonged contact; the ball must be hit cleanly without
holding or scooping.
5. Don’t Serve Out of Turn:
o Ensure the server is in the correct rotational position; serving out
of turn results in a point for the opponent.
6. Don’t Block or Attack a Serve:
o Blocking or spiking a serve is not allowed.
7. Don’t Delay the Game:
o Avoid actions that unnecessarily prolong the game, such as taking
too much time to serve.
8. Don’t Argue with the Referee:
o Players and coaches must respect the referee’s decisions and
avoid disputes.
9. Don’t Enter the Opponent’s Space:
o Avoid reaching over or under the net into the opponent’s court
during play.
10. Don’t Ignore Substitution Rules:
o Make sure substitutions are done correctly and according to the
referee’s signal.