Service line / End-line Service line / End-line VOLLEYBALL STUDY GUIDE Canarelli Physical Education HISTORY Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William J. Morgan, a physical education director at the YMCA, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He developed the game to provide an alternative indoor game during the cold winter months in which a relatively large group could play in a small gymnasium. COURT AND SERVICE ROTATION 1. Number of players on an official volleyball team: Six (6). 2. Both the serving and receiving teams may score points on each serve (Rally Serve). 3. RB (Right Back) is the server. 4. Rotate CLOCKWISE. The direction the arms move on a clock. 5. Calling out the score is a courtesy. Serving team calls their score first, then their opponent s score. Net & Center court line Sideline LB LF RF RB CB CF CF CB RB RF LF LB Sideline Net height: For men 7 ' 11 5/8", for women 7 4 1/8 Side-line: 60 feet End-line: 30 feet Spiking line: 10 feet from the center-line 10 foot Spiking line RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE GAME The object of the game is to hit the ball back and forth or volley the ball across the net, without allowing it to become dead (hit the ground or played illegally). Play begins with a serve from the right back player. The server stands with both feet behind the service line until the serve is made. The serve is permitted to touch the net as it goes over. If the ball does not clear the net on the serve, a point is scored by your opponent, a side-out is called and it becomes you opponent s ball to serve. SERVING To serve is to put the ball into play. A serve hitting a boundary line is considered IN. The ball may be served in one of the following manners: 1. Underhand 2. Sidearm 3. Overhand
LEGAL HITS After the serve, the receiving team must return the ball over the net before it touches the ground in a legal manner. Legal hits are as follows: 1. Forearm Pass (Also known as Bump, Dig) 2. Finger Set 3. Spike Each team may hit the ball a maximum of three (3) times on their side of the court. On the third hit, the ball must go over the net to your opponent s side of the court. The ball is volleyed back and forth until one team makes an error or fault. A point scored for the opposing team when an error is committed by either the serving team or the receiving team. The ball must be cleanly hit in volleyball; it may not come to rest in a players hands or arms (Carry or Hold). No player may hit the ball twice in a row. The server continues to serve until the serve is lost or the completion of a game. After a side-out is called, the opposite team must rotate clockwise one player position before serving. Both teams must be in the correct service rotation order at the time the ball is served. SCORING 1. A game is played to twenty-five (25) points. A team must win by at least two (2) points. 2. Points may be scored by both the serving and receiving teams. A point will be scored after each serve is made or attempted serve by the serving or the receiving team. FAULTS A fault is a breaking of the rules of volleyball. If any member of either team commits any of the infractions listed, one point is awarded to the opposing side; if the infraction is made by the serving team, a side-out is called. The receiving team is awarded a point and the serve. 1. Server commits a foot fault (steps on or over the service line). 2. Serving the ball illegally (such as a bump) or serving out of order/turn. 3. Failing to make a legal return of the ball; catching, holding, carrying, double hit or lifting of the ball. 4. Hitting the ball twice in a row. 5. Touching the net with any part of the body, or crossing the center court line. 6. Failing to return the ball to your opponent s side of the court. TERMINOLOGY Ace A serve that lands in the opponent s court without being returned. Block A defensive play in which players at the net attempt to block, stop or deflect the flight of the ball which is being returned by the opponent into the opponent s court. Bump Also called a forearm pass or dig. The ball is bumped off the forearms with the hands clasped together. The ball should be contacted between the elbows and wrists with the arms straight. Carry A ball which momentarily comes to rest in a players hands or arms.
Dead Ball A ball that is out of play. Dink or Tip A soft hit ball that is used to place the ball into an open area on the court. Double Foul Faults committed simultaneously (at the same time) or on the same play by opponents. Double Hit Hitting the ball twice in a row. Usually occurs when arms or hands are not kept together while hitting the ball. A player may not hit the ball twice in a row. Finger Set A high pass using the fingertips of both hands. Usually the second hit by a team to relay the ball to the spiker. Foot Fault Server steps on or over the end line at the moment of serving the ball, or a player steps completely over the center line while the ball is in play. Foul Game A fault (a mistake) for which a point and/or a side-out is awarded. First team to twenty-five (25) points and with at least a two (2) point lead. Game Point The final point of a game. Game point serving 10 means 24 serving 10. Kill A spike that is impossible to return. Legal Serve Putting the ball into play over the net into opponent's court using the underhand, sidearm, or overhand serve. Liner Match A ball that lands on the court boundary line. It is considered in. To win two out of three games. Net Ball A ball that is served into the net and does not go over. During play (after a legal serve), the ball may be played off the net if the person playing the ball does not touch the net. Opponent s Court Playing area occupied by a team's opponents.
Out-of-bounds Any surface or object outside the court except a player in the act of playing the ball. Own Court Playing area occupied by one's own team. Perfect Play in Volleyball BUMP - SET - SPIKE. Point Awarded to the serving or receiving team. The team that does not fault or make a mistake, receives a point. Rally Serve Serving team and receiving teams may both score points on the service or on a fault by their opponent. Rotation Act of shifting positions in a clockwise direction when the team is awarded the serve on a side-out. Server Player in the right back (RB) position who begins the play by serving the ball over the net. Service The act of serving.underhand, sidearm, or overhand. Serving Order Sequence of service of a team's players. Must stay in correct rotation or lose the serve. Set A high pass, usually the second hit by a team to relay the ball to the spiker. Side-out Ending a team s right to serve usually because of a fault by the serving team. The ball goes to the opponent. Spike A ball hit forcibly down from a height greater than the top of the net. Team of Service Server continues to serve until he or she makes a mistake on the serve, or a side-out is called. Violation A foul, or fault, such as a double hit, a carry, or more than three hits per side. Volley Hitting the ball before it touches the ground. Volleyball The game in which all legal balls must be hit on the volley before it bounces on the ground.
CLASS CONDUCT 1. Be FAIR with your calls. When in doubt, play the point over. 2. Return the ball to the server by rolling it under the net directly to them. Do not throw the ball over the net. 3. DO NOT PULL ON THE NET. This loosens the net and causes unnecessary wear and tear on the equipment. 4. No inappropriate or foul language. 5. DO NOT KICK THE VOLLEYBALL. Good volleyballs are leather, and when treated poorly, the leather pulls up from the ball. Volleyball is a game played with the hands and arms, NOT the feet or legs. 6. It is a courtesy, not a rule, to say the score prior to the serve. This helps to avoid arguments and confusion about the score. STRATEGY 1. Move your feet and get under and behind the ball. YOU ARE NOT A TREE! Try not to stretch for a ball unless absolutely necessary. 2. Call the ball. "I'VE GOT IT!' or "MINE!" This eliminates confusion and keeps all players safe. 3. Communicate with your teammates. If a team mate is playing the ball and you think that the ball is out of bounds, yell out loud. 4. PLAY YOUR POSITION! Don t step in front of a player when the ball is coming directly to them.