Volleyball Rules (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what the rules of volleyball are regarding the playing field, the position of the players and the types of hits.

What are the rules of volleyball?

Volleyball, volleyball or volleyball is a ball sport played in opposing teams of six players each. The two competing teams, each on one side of the net, must hit the ball with their hands and arms (or with any part of the body) in such a way that it goes over the net and lands on the enemy's field.

For that, have a maximum of three consecutive hits before the ball goes over the net. And at all times they must keep it moving, without holding it, stopping it or accompanying it. Additionally, no player can hit the ball twice in a row.

The game normally begins with a serve performed by the team on duty, and from then on both rivals alternate between:

Attack phases in which you have control of the ball.
Defensive phases in which the arrival of the ball over the net and the movements of the opposing team are anticipated.

During both phases, Players have a fixed position on their respective court although within it they are allowed some freedom of movement. Under no circumstances may they cross the net into the opponent's court, nor pass the ball under it.

Finally, The ball must be in continuous motion during the play and always suspended in the air. The play ends when one of the teams fails to return the ball, and it touches the ground or leaves the playing area.

Volleyball equipment and playing field

Volleyball playing field rules — Each team's field is divided into a defense zone and an attack zone.

volleyball teams are usually made up of twelve players, six of whom may be on the court at the same time. Each of them can be exchanged throughout the game with their teammates on the bench on a single occasion.

Each team is assigned a court on the side of the net, clearly delimited by the lines of play, and at no time may they enter the opposing team's court.

The playing field It is a rectangle 18 meters long by 9 meters wide, divided in its center line by the net. This is suspended at about 2.4 to 2.2 meters high, depending on the category of game.

Around it, there is a free zone, at least 3 meters wide, that separates the players from the public and where the game action can continue as long as the ball has not touched the ground. In addition, an amount of free space above the court of around 7 meters high is required.

Volleyball player positions and rotation

Within their respective field, Players must occupy six specific positions which are:

Three forwards or attackers. These players must be located in a straight line in the attack zone, facing the net.
Three defenders. These players must be located in a straight line in the defensive zone, with their backs to the baseline.
Two liberos. These players are interchangeable and have a strictly defensive role, that is, they can enter and leave the field of play during the defense phases to replace another, as long as they are not together on the field. This can occur in the middle of a play, but the return of the substituted player must wait for the play to finish. The liberos dress differently from the rest of the team.

Normally, in a play, each player sticks to his position to cover a specific area on the court. However, when the team scores a point, Your players should rotate positions clockwise so that each one must play in all possible positions. This is known as “rotation.”

At the time of kick-off, the players must already be clearly positioned on the court and waiting.

The volleyball ball and net

The volleyball ball is spherical, inflated and made of leather (or a similar synthetic material), and is usually light in color, predominantly white. It is much smaller and lighter than a basketball or soccer ball: it is 65 centimeters in circumference and weighs approximately 260 grams.

For its part, The net measures 1 meter wide and 10 meters long and is supported by two posts located at the ends of the center line. It must be taut at all times and has two white bands that mark its beginning and end at the top and bottom of its extension. The fact that the ball touches the net does not mean the end of the play or the point for the opponent, unless it is a serve.

Touches in volleyball

Rules of volleyball touches — The reception is the touch with which the ball is received or intercepted after the opposing serve.

The ball can be hit in several ways throughout a play. These different touches are:

Serve or serve. It is the touch that starts the play, and is performed by projecting the ball with one hand in the air and then hitting it with the other, either above or below the shoulder. The idea is for the ball to go over the net without interruptions and seek out the weak sides of the opposing team's formation. This serve is performed behind the baseline.
Reception. It is the touch with which the ball is received or intercepted after the opposing serve, joining both arms extended in front of the chest to hit the ball with the forearm or the region near the wrist. It is a critical touch in this sport, since it must not only prevent the opposing serve from touching the ground, but it must also give the team itself the opportunity to put together a counteroffensive play.
Placement. It is the touch that normally follows a successful reception. It is done with the fingers of both hands, propelling the ball so that a third player can finish it over the net. It is a precise, simple and quick touch, which can be performed on the ground or during a jump.
Attack or finish. It is normally the final touch of the three allowed to a team, and consists of hitting the ball hard so that it goes over the net and into the opponent's court, seeking the ground. The attack can also be made during the first plays, both from the attacking position and from the defensive position.
Blockade. It is the touch that seeks to prevent the opposing attack, that is, it is performed from a defensive position. It consists of jumping parallel to the net, with both arms extended, seeking for the ball to hit them and be returned to the opponent's court, instead of opening the field towards one's own.

Fouls in volleyball

Just as in other sports, in volleyball, The sporting action will stop whenever a player commits a foul that is, a movement contrary to the rules of the game or good sports conduct. When this occurs, a point will be awarded to the opposing team and the serve will begin again.

Sets and scoring in volleyball

A play ends in a point for either team. Generally, it is considered a point for the opponent if:

The ball touches the ground on one's own court, regardless of whether the team's own team or the opposing team was the last to touch the ball.
During an attack, the ball leaves the opponent's court of play and touches the ground in the free zone or beyond. Also if during a play the ball touches the ceiling or hits the net or the posts on the outside of the court.
The team itself incurs in retaining or accompanying the ball, or if the reception occurs with an improper touch.
The team itself exceeds the maximum allowed of three continuous touches of the ball.
At the moment of a serve, the player of the team that performs it steps on the baseline or hits the net.

The team that scores the most points will win the match, the length of which can be very variable, since there is no pre-established playing time.

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a team must win three of five sets to be considered victorious. Each set ends when a team reaches or exceeds 25 points with at least a 2-point advantage over its opponent (i.e., 25 to 23 points). If you do not have that advantage, you will continue playing until you reach it.

Any team that accumulates three won sets will be the final winner. But if the fifth set is reached without a clear winner, this tiebreaker set will be played to 15 points only, and must also be won with at least 2 points ahead of the opponent (15 to 13).

history of volleyball

Volleyball is a relatively recent sport, which It began to be practiced in the United States at the end of the 19th century. William G. Morgan, a physical education teacher at the YMCA (the Young Men's Christian Association, in Spanish), was looking for an indoor sport that was not as aggressive as the newly invented basketball.

Years later, he arrived in Europe with American troops in World War I. Since then, it gained notoriety among sports, until becoming, in 1964, an Olympic sport, both in its men's and women's categories.

Its practice was especially popular in Eastern Europe. Nations such as Czechoslovakia, Poland, Bulgaria and the Soviet Union (later Russia) have traditionally been the great champions in this sport. Another very prominent country in women's volleyball towards the end of the 20th century was Cuba.

Volleyball was originally called mintonettebut soon its name changed to volleyballsince players often volley the ball, that is, they hit it in the air, interrupting its trajectory.

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