Before going into detail we need to have a common language concerning details of the game. As this primer continues various terms and concepts will be defined to establish this common language. These concepts will be presented in bold italics and the definition in italics. THE EQUIPMENT Court: A rectangle which is 59 feet from end line to end line and 29 feet, 6 inches from sideline to sideline. In metric terms the court is 18m (meters) from end line to end line and 9m from sideline to sideline. Free Zone: The area outside the court which should be clear of obstruction both on the floor and overhead. The free zone usually extends 2m to 3m beyond the court. Centerline: This line divides the court into two equal 9m x 9m playing spaces. Sidelines and End lines: These lines define the boundaries of the court. A ball that touches these lines is considered to be IN. Attack/Ten-Foot/Three Meter Line: This line extends across the entire court parallel to the net and is placed 3 meters from the Centerline. It is recommended that these lines be extended with a broken line outside the court. This divides each court into a front zone and a back zone. Back row players may not attack any ball entirely above the height of the net if their last point of contact with the floor was in the front zone. Substitution Zone: Area where all substitutions occur. Usually this zone is in front of the scorekeeping table in the free zone limited by the attack line. Only one pair of players (in/out) may be in the substitution zone at a time. Service Zone: The area directly behind the end line where all service attempts must occur. This zone extends from sideline to sideline and ends at the back edge of the end line. Net: A net is strung from sideline to sideline and provides a barrier between the team s courts. The net is usually 1m in height from top to bottom and 10m wide. The net cannot be touched by players while playing the ball. In some non-usav competitions such as high school the net can never be touched by the players. Antennae: There are two vertical poles attached to the outside edges of the net. They are placed in line with the court boundaries and extend 32 inches above the net. Crossing Space: The crossing space is the part of the vertical plane of the net bounded by the top of the net, the ceiling, and the antennas. Any ball which does not cross completely within the crossing space is considered to be OUT. Volleyball Primer.docx Page 1 08/22/2011
THE GAME The game is played with 6 players per team and is initiated with a service and the ball is played between the two teams until a fault occurs. The team which commits the fault loses the rally. In rally scoring, each loss of rally results in a point and the rally winner will serve the next ball. A USAV volleyball match consists of several sets. Non-USAV competition still uses the term games. They are one and the same. Service and server: The service is the action of putting the ball into play by the server. The service is the only ball contact which must be with the hand or fist. The last floor contact of the server must be within the service zone or a foot fault has occurred. Usually this means the server either stepped on the end line or into the court before the serve was contacted. However, a service fault occurs if the last floor contact was outside either sideline prior to service. All players must be on the court at the time of serve (except server). Each team is allowed 3 contacts (not counting the block) in which to return the ball to the opponent by causing the ball to cross over the net within the crossing space. If a player touches a ball before it hits the floor or other object, the ball remains in play. Players may play a ball anywhere on their side of the net, with certain restrictions. There are cases where players may enter the opponent s free zone to play a ball. (See Pursuit Rule) Type of Ball Contacts Pass: A contact which attempts to direct the ball to a player who will "set" the ball. Usually the first team contact. A pass can be either overhead (with open hands) or using the forearms. Set: A contact which "set ups" the spike or attack. Generally done using an overhead pass. Attack: Any contact which directs the ball back into the opponent s court. In a well executed offense this is usually a spike. Block: A contact, reaching above the net, which prevents an attacked ball coming from the opponent s court from entering the blocking team s court or redirects such a ball back into the attacking team s court. Ball Handling Errors There are only two types of ball handling errors: 1. A caught or thrown ball. The ball cannot be caught and/or thrown. Notice that the word lift is not used. There is no such thing as a lift in USAV play. 2. Double Hit (Successive multiple contacts): The ball may not be multiply contacted in succession. The only exception to this is all 1 st team contacts may be multiple contacted in one attempt to play the ball. Also, any ball which rolls on a player s body, as long as it is not caught or thrown, is a multiple contact and is legal on 1 st team contact. Volleyball Primer.docx Page 2 08/22/2011
VOLLEYBALL STRATEGIES AND POSITIONS NET Zones: The net is divided into 9 zones (left to right, when looking at the net from your court). These zones are numbered 1-9 Left Sideline 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Right Sideline Basic Strategy The basic offensive strategy in volleyball is Pass - Set - Spike. The first ball over the net is passed to a position close to the net, just right of the center of the court (zone 6-7). The setter will be in this location to receive the pass and set the ball to one of the team s attackers (hitters). Positions When discussing positions, it is important to differentiate between rotational position, base position, and playing position. Rotational Position: is the area on the court where a player must be when the ball is served (from either team). This is determined by the line-up at the beginning of the set, which dictates the order of servers for the entire set. A new line-up is submitted for each game in a match, so positions may be changed after each set. These rotational positions are numbered on the court as follows: 1. RB Right back (server) 2. RF Right front 3. MF Middle front 4. LF Left front 5. LB Left back 6. MB Middle back. Net 4 3 2 LF MF RF 5 6 1 LB MB RB Your numbered position will change each time you win a rally that results in a new server for your team. Players rotate one position clockwise each time their team wins a rally that results in a new server for your team. A player will continue to serve until the serving team loses a rally. Base Position: refers to the starting position for offense or defense for each player. Also called home base by some coaches. Playing Position: refers to the position to which the player will switch when the ball is put into play by the serve. If specialization of positions (playing positions) is to occur, there will be 2 players playing each position. One will be in the front row while the other is in the back row. It is necessary to place these players directly opposite each other in the rotational positions (i.e.: positions 1&4, 2&5, 3&6). This way, as one player rotates into the back row, their counterpart rotates into the front row. Volleyball Primer.docx Page 3 08/22/2011
Playing Positions Setter: "Quarterback" of the team. The setter is responsible for playing the ball on the second contact in every play. They will set to the hitters for the offensive attack. The setter always faces the left sideline, with one foot in front of the other (balance). Regardless of the rotational position of the setter, the setter must move into position near the net at center court (zone 6-7) as soon as the ball is contacted. In the middle of a rally (not a serve), the setter may have a defensive responsibility which they must cover first. Once they know the ball is not coming to that defensive position, they immediately move toward the net for the set. Qualities of a good Setter: Quick feet; Good ball control; Consistent; Accurate; Leader; Team Strategist Outside Hitter (Left/strong side): Hits from the Left Front Position on the court. Blocks weak side hits and moves to assist the middle hitter on blocking middle hits. Again, there are defensive responsibilities. Once the outside hitter is sure the ball is not approaching this position, they move off the court into position to await a set from the setter. Qualities of a good Outside Hitter: Explosive Jumper; Quick Arm Swing Offside Hitter (Right/weak-side) also (off setter): Hits and blocks from the Right Front Position on the court. The weak-side hitter has the same responsibilities as the strong side hitter and is usually responsible for setting the ball if the setter contacts the first ball over the net. Qualities of a good Right Side hitter: Strong blocker; Agile; Flexible; Ability to adjust Middle Hitter/Blocker: Hits and blocks from the Middle Front Position on the court. This position requires good footwork and endurance. The middle hitter is responsible for blocking opponent's middle hits, and assisting in the blocking of outside and offside hits. Qualities of a good Middle Hitter: Good lateral movement; Shoulder flexibility; Endurance OFFENSIVE STRATEGIES There are three types of balls a team will have to control to begin its offense. Dig: Passing a spiked or hard hit ball. It is called a dig, because an attacked ball is often received close to the floor. Since these balls travel very quickly, players must be set in their defensive positions. The positions are determined by the location of the spiker and are designed to cover the majority of the court, especially the areas the ball is likely to be hit. Free Ball: A ball coming over the net that is not an aggressive attack. No need to block, hence the term free. It is usually sent over via a forearm pass instead of a spike. When a "free ball" is called, the setter will immediately vacate their defensive position and move to the setting position. The other players will shift to cover this empty area of the court. Volleyball Primer.docx Page 4 08/22/2011
Serve Receive: Passing of a ball that is served by the opponent. This is the most basic of the three and most critical for success at all levels of play especially beginning levels of. Teams may use any number of players to receive serve. It is common to see a 2, 3, 4, and 5 player serve receive formation. At the very basic levels of volleyball, teams utilize a "W" formation serve receive. The "W" formation covers the entire court and utilizes all players, excluding the setter for serve receive. There are three players in the front row and two in the back row. The middle front receiver will be slightly further back than the other front row players - forming the "W" symbol on the court. The setter does not want to receive the serve and therefore the setter will begin near the net or will hide behind another player until the ball is contacted. On contact, the setter will move into base offensive position at the net. The next natural progression is the 4 person receive also known as "The House". The setter pushes the corresponding front row player forward toward the net. The remaining players form a zigzag pattern "or \/\ /\/ typically with the front row players closest to the net. Teams should advance into a 3 person receive pattern known as a "Swing" as a front row player will pull back and be a primary passer and swing to the outside to attack. Some advanced strategies include formations designed to allow 2 person serve receive. In order for a team to efficiently receive serves, there are a few concepts that must be clear The back row players must have a clear line of sight to the server. The player, who receives serve, must CALL for the ball (OWN THERIGHT TO PASS) before the ball crosses the plane of the net. All players should be moving on the contact of the serve. Players not receiving serve should face the player receiving the ball and be ready to assist on the second ball if it is not directed to the setter position. This is called "OPENING-UP". Opening up also eliminates uncertainty for the back row players. If a front row player "Opens-up", it communicates to the back row players that the front row player is not going to receive the ball and allows the back row players to move without hesitation. No player should receive a ball that is higher then their chest. A front row player should open-up and allow a back row player to receive the ball. A ball that is higher than the chest of a back row player is most likely to travel beyond the end line of the court. Therefore the back row players should move to allow it to drop outside the court. Players should move only forward to receive a ball with an overhead pass. It is critical for teammates to communicate to players who have called a ball that is about to go out. It is easier to see this when you are not attempting to play the ball. Volleyball Primer.docx Page 5 08/22/2011
CHECKLIST FOR SERVE RECEIVE Call the ball as soon as possible, but before it crosses the plane of the net Open up to the player playing the ball - be ready to assist on the next hit Help call the balls that will travel OUT of bounds Front row Players Open up when balls are higher than chest level - back row should play these balls Call balls that will travel OUT of bounds (especially on sidelines) Back row Players Open up when balls are higher than chest level -these should be out of bounds Calls balls that will travel OUT of bounds Setters Should NEVER receive ball Call SHORT serves for your team Move to base offensive position Face the left sideline (right shoulder to the net) this allows you to see both courts and to face the direction you will set the ball. Call HERE for the pass Give a visual target with the hand closest to the net TEAM OFFENSIVE FORMATIONS Offensive formations are referred to by two numbers. The first indicates number of players that are designated to be hitters and the second gives the number of players designated as setters. Even though positions are given primary responsibilities (hit, set, defense), keep in mind that any player may set the ball and any front row player may spike the ball (even if the player is a setter). Offenses without specialized setters 4-6 Middle: Front Row Setter This offense has 2 hitters in the front row in all rotations. All 6 players will set when they are in the MF (3) rotational position. 4-6 Right: Front Row Setter This offense has 2 hitters in the front row in all rotations. All 6 players will set when they are in the RF (2) rotational position. Good offense for basic teams with limited understanding of transitions requiring position switching. 6-6: Back Row Setter This offense allows all players to attack and has 3 hitters in the front row in all rotations. All 6 players will set when they are in the RB (1) rotational position. Current thinking is that this is a good beginning offense for younger teams where specialization is not desired. Volleyball Primer.docx Page 6 08/22/2011
Offenses with specialized setters Offenses n-2 have the setters opposite each other in the rotation. 4-2 Middle: Front Row Setter This offense has 2 hitters in the front row in all rotations with 4 players designated as hitters. The remaining 2 players are setters and will always move to the MF (3) rotational position 4-2 Right: Front Row Setter This offense has 2 hitters in the front row in all rotations with 4 players designated as hitter. The remaining 2 players are setters and will always move to the RF (2) rotational position Current thinking is to reserve the above offenses for very young teams with extremely limited skills. Many coaches feel that this offense creates confusion when moving to specialized offensive assignments and converting to a back row setting offense. 6-2: Back Row Setter This offense allows all players to attack and has 3 hitters in the front row in all rotations. The two designated setters will always set from the back row and will always move to the RB (1) rotational position as a base position. This offense requires anticipation, endurance and communication by the setters. 5-1: Front/Back Row Setter This offense has 5 designated hitters and 1 designated setter. This setter is always responsible for the second ball. When the setter is in the front row, there are only 2 hitters, but when they rotate to the back row, there are 3 hitters. This offense requires great anticipation, endurance, court awareness and communication by the setter. Good passing skills are a prerequisite for running an effective 5-1. 6-3: Back Row Setter This offense allows all players to attack and has 3 hitters in the front row in all rotations. There are 3 designated setters and placed every other player in the rotation. These three setters will set when in rotational positions MB (6) and RB (1). Setters will always move to RB (1) as their base defensive position. The two designated setters will always set from the back row and will always move to the RB (1) rotational position as a defensive base position. Volleyball Primer.docx Page 7 08/22/2011
DEFENSIVE STRATEGIES There are many defensive strategies which are used in volleyball today. Most of these strategies are beyond the scope of this article and we will discuss one of the most basic. Perimeter Defense This defensive strategy has the back row players guarding the lines (perimeter) and moving to the inside of the court to get the ball. Players must always remember to return to base position after playing a ball. Base positions are as follows for each back row rotational position. For the RB / LB the base position is "13-2", 13 feet from the net and 2 feet from the side line. For the MB the base position is center of the court and 2 medium steps (3-5 ft) into the court. A BLK LB MB Net RB Middle back covers the seam of any 2 person block (BLK). Seam: The line from the attacker's hand thru the space between the inside hands of each blocker. Attacks from A For attacks from A the RB moves forward or backward so that they are 1 body width inside the inside blocker in a straight line with the hitter's hand. The LB moves toward the left sideline outside the outside blocker to cover line attacks. The farther A moves to the left (defensive team's left) the farther the defensive team should move to the right. Remember the ball must come over inside the antenna. A B Net BLK LB MB RB Attacks from B For attacks from B the RB moves forward or backward so that they are 1 body width inside the inside blocker in a straight line with the hitter's hand. Since most attacks come from our right side, the LB should move left to see the attacker's hand and be prepared to move forward and in to the center of the court. Sometimes this can be done simply by stepping forward. The RB should be prepared to move forward and in toward the center of the court. The MB should move slightly to the left to pass any deflection off the block. NET B C BLK LB MB RB Attacks from C For attacks from C the LB moves forward or backward so that they are 1 body width inside the inside blocker in a straight line with the hitter's hand. The RB moves toward the right sideline outside the outside blocker to cover line attacks. The farther C moves to the right (defensive team's right) the farther the defensive team should move to the left. Remember the ball must come over inside the antenna. Volleyball Primer.docx Page 8 08/22/2011