Appreciating the Brief History of Volleyball; Illustrating the Facilities and Equipment

What is Volleyball?
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each
team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized
rules.
HISTORY
Volleyball was created by William G. Morgan in 1895. Morgan was an education
director at a Holyoke Massachusetts USA. He called it “mintonette’ because it is resembled
badminton. Mintonette was played on a court divided by a 6 ½ foot (2 meter) net.
The first official ball used in volleyball is disputed; some sources say that Spalding created
the first official ball in 1896, while others claim it was created in 1900. The rules evolved
over time: in the Philippines by 1916, the skill and power of the set and spike had been
introduced, and four years later a "three hits" rule and a rule against hitting from the back
row were established. The first country outside the United States to adopt volleyball was
Canada in 1900. An international federation, the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball
(FIVB), was founded in 1947, and the first World Championships were held in 1949 for
men and 1952 for women.

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

Volleyball Court Dimensions - The Volleyball court is 60 feet by

30 feet in total. The net in placed in the center of the court,
making each side of the net 30 feet by 30 feet.
Center Line - A center line is marked at the center of the court dividing it equally into 30
feet squares, above which the net is placed.
Attack Line - An attack line is marked 10 feet of each side of the center line. Front court is
the area near the net, while the back court is the area between the attack line and the end
line.
Service Area - The area, from which the server may serve the volleyball, is marked 10 feet
inside the right sideline on each back line.
The Net - The net is placed directly above the center line, 7 feet 4 inches above the ground
for women and 8 feet above the ground for men.
Poles - Volleyball poles should be set at 36 feet apart, 3 feet further out from the sidelines.
Ceiling Height - the minimum ceiling height should be 23 feet, though they should
preferably be higher.
The ball - The standard volleyball is made of leather or synthetic leather, weighs between 9
and 10 ounces and has a circumference of 25.6 to 26.4 inches. The ball has a rubber bladder
and can be one color or a combination of colors.
 Basic Skills in Volleyball
A. Serve - is the MOST important skill of the game. It is the first offensive weapon and
there are no other variables involved other than the player and the ball. It is very important
that a player takes their time, focus, concentrate, and be aggressive.
Types of Serves
1. Underhand Serve - is a type of serve in which the player holds the ball in one hand
swings the other in an arc motion below the waist and strikes the ball from the bottom
with a fist to put it in play.
2. Overhand Serve - this serve is done by tossing the ball up into the air then striking it
with the opposite hand above the shoulder.

Float Serve - this is done by contacting the ball is such a way that the ball does not
spin which makes it more likely to float.
Jump Serve - is a serve in which the server tosses the ball, takes an approach and jumps to
spike the ball.

Top Spin Serve -An overhand serve with top spin is more effective and powerful.
B. Receiving/Forearm Pass – The first contact after a serve is
considered a “pass”. The player who passes the ball is called the
“passer”. Usually a pass is made with a
player’s forearms but can also be made
overhead with two open hands.
BODY POSITION
 Feet are in a wide base about
shoulder width apart. One foot
slightly in front of the other.
 Knees are bent.
 Torso is bent at the waist,
 Shoulders are low and extend
pass the knees.
 Head is kept still throughout the
movement. Eyes should track
the ball until contact is made.
 Arms are in front of the body
straight. Remember: straight to
straight.
 Form the platform with the
thumbs and heels of palms
together with one hand inside
the other. Wrist should be
turned down, so thumbs point to
the floor. This will keep the
platform straight. Try to keep
a consistent passing platform
C. Setting - Used to receive a teammate's pass
in order that the play may continue by passing
the ball overhead to an attacker.

D. Kill/Attack - Used to put the ball into the opponent's court in order to earn a point or
side out. The fundamental action of attacking incorporates a quick approach followed by a
strong, full arm swing, and follow-thru.

E. Block - Used to stop the ball from crossing the net as a result of an opponent's attack.

F. Floor Defense - used to receive the opponent's attack. The key skills are digging and
sprawling.