PE 4 - VOLLEYBALL

VOLLEYBALL: THE HISTORY

The game of volleyball, originally called “mintonette”, was invented in 1895 by William G.
Morgan, after the invention of basketball by only 4 years. Morgan, a graduate of the Springfield
College of the YMCA, designed the game to be a combination of basketball, baseball, tennis and
handball.

The first volleyball net, borrowed from tennis, was only 6’6″ high (though you need to
remember that the average American was shorter in the 19th century).

The offensive style of setting and spiking was first demonstrated in the Philippines in 1916. Over
the years that followed, it became clear that standard rules were needed for tournament play,
and thus the USVBA (United States Volleyball Association) was formed in 1928.

Two years later, the first 2-man beach volleyball game was played, though the professional side
of the sport did not emerge until much later. Not surprisingly, the first beach volleyball
association appeared in California (1965), and the professional players united under the
auspices of the AVP (American Volleyball Professionals) in 1983.

During the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, American men and women took gold and silver medals
in indoor volleyball competition. Four years later at the Olympics in Korea, the men once again
scored gold. Starting in 1996, 2-man beach volleyball was officially introduced to the Olympics.
Today, there are more than 800 million volleyball players worldwide, 46 million of them in the
U.S.

A TIMELINE OF SIGNIFICANT VOLLEYBALL EVENTS:

In 1900, a special ball was designed for the sport.

In 1916, in the Philippines, an offensive style of passing the ball in a high trajectory to be struck
by another player (the set and spike) were introduced.

In 1917, the game was changed from 21 to 15 points.

In 1920, three hits per side and back row attack rules were instituted.

In 1922, the first YMCA national championships were held in Brooklyn, NY. 27 teams from 11
states were represented.

In 1928, it became clear that tournaments and rules were needed, the United States Volleyball
Association (USVBA, now USA Volleyball) was formed. The first U.S. Open was staged, as the
field was open to non-YMCA squads.

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In 1930, the first two-man beach game was played.

In 1934, the approval and recognition of national volleyball referees.

In 1937, at the AAU convention in Boston, action was taken to recognize the U.S. Volleyball
Association as the official national governing body in the U.S.

In 1947, the Federation Internationale De Volley-Ball (FIVB) was founded.

In 1948, the first two-man beach tournament was held.

In 1949, the initial World Championships were held in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

In 1964, Volleyball was introduced to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

In 1965, the California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) was formed.

In 1974, the World Championships in Mexico were telecast in Japan.

In 1975, the US National Women’s team began a year-round training regime in Pasadena, Texas
(moved to Colorado Springs in 1979, Coto de Caza and Fountain Valley, CA in 1980, and San
Diego, CA in 1985).

In 1977, the US National Men’s team began a year-round training regime in Dayton, Ohio
(moved to San Diego, CA in 1981).

In 1983, the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was formed.

In 1984, the US won their first medals at the Olympics in Los Angeles. The Men won the Gold,
and the Women the Silver.

In 1986, the Women’s Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) was formed.

In 1988, the US Men repeated the Gold in the Olympics in Korea.

In 1990, the World League was created.

In 1995, the sport of Volleyball was 100 years old!

In 1996, 2-person beach volleyball became an Olympic Sport.

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PE 4 - VOLLEYBALL

VOLLEYBALL TERMINOLOGY

A
Ace - A serve that results directly in a point.
Antenna - Red-and-white striped pole attached to the net that extends 32 inches above the net and
indicates out-of-bounds along the sideline.
Assist - Passing or setting the ball to a teammate who attacks the ball for a kill.
Attack Attempt - The attempt by a player to terminate a play by hitting the ball to the floor on the
opponent's side.

B
Back Row Attack - When a back row player takes off to jump behind the 10-foot/3-meter line and
attacks the ball.
Block - A successful attempt by any front row player to intercept the ball near the net that results in the
termination of the rally.
Block Assist - A successful attempt by any two or more front row players to intercept the ball near the
net that results in the termination of the rally. Any person involved in the block attempt
that terminates the rally receives a block assist.
Block Solo - A successful attempt by any one front row player to intercept the ball near the net that
results in the termination of the rally.
Blocking Error - A violation that consists of touching the net, crossing the center line, blocking a set or
any other violation which pertains to illegal blocking.

C
Court Dimensions - 59 feet from end line to end line and 29 feet, 6 inches wide (18m x 9m).
Cross-Court Attack - An attack that is directed diagonally from the point of attack.

D
Dig - Act of retrieving an attacked ball close to the floor and making a successful pass.
Dink - A one-handed, soft hit into the opponent's court using the fingertips.
Dump - Usually performed by the setter, who delivers the ball into the opponent's court on the second
contact.

E
Extension Roll - A move to the floor which enables a player to dig the ball.

F
Forearm Pass - Contacting the ball with the forearms in order to deliver the ball to the setter in an
underhanded manner.
Free Ball - Returning the ball to the opponent without the intent to get a kill.

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PE 4 - VOLLEYBALL

H
Hitter - A player who attacks the ball.
Hitting Percentage - A statistic derived from total kills minus total attack errors and divided by total
attempts.

J
Jump Serve - A top spin serve delivered by a player in midair.
Joust - When two opposing players contact the ball simultaneously above the net causing the ball to
momentarily come to rest; the point is replayed if this is called by the official.

K
Kill - An attack that results directly in a point or sideout.

L
Linesman - Officials located at the corners of the court; each linesman is responsible for ruling if the ball
is legally in play along the lines for which or she is responsible.

M
Middle Blocker - Usually plays in the middle of the net when in the front row and moves laterally to her
blocking assignments.

N
Net Height - Seven feet, 4-1/8 inches high.

O
Outside Hitter - Usually plays at the ends of the net when in the front row.
Overlap - A violation called when a team lines up out of rotation on a service attempt.

P
Pass - Receiving a serve or the first contact of the ball with the intent to control the ball to another
player.

Q
Quick Set - An extremely low vertical set used to beat the opponent's blocks.

R
Rally Scoring - Scoring method used in the fifth game of matches where points can be won by the
serving or receiving team.

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Red Card - Given by the official to a player or coach for flagrant misconduct resulting in a point/side out
to the opponent.
Red And Yellow Card - Given by the official to a player or coach for a major violation. Also received
automatically after two red cards. Results in automatic ejection and a point/side out for
the opponent.
Rotation - Players must retain their initial rotational order throughout the entire game, but once the ball
is served they are allowed to move anywhere.

S
Set - A pass that puts the ball in place for a hitter to attack.
Side Out - A rally won by the team who is receiving serve, resulting in the right to serve. You cannot
score a point if your team is trying to side out.
Side Out Scoring - Scoring method used in games one through four of matches where points can be won
only by the serving team.
Slide Attack - A low back set to the antenna that the middle hitter swings behind the setter to attack.
Substitution - Allows one player to replace another player already on the court. Each team is allowed 15
substitutions per game. Each player is allowed an unlimited number of entries.

T
Ten Foot/3-Meter Line - The line extended across the court to signify the point which a back row player
must leave the ground behind to attack the ball.

Y
Yellow Card - Given by the official to a player or coach as a warning of misconduct. Two yellow cards
results in an automatic red card.

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PE 4 - VOLLEYBALL

THE GAME - VOLLEYBALL GAME RULES

The game of volleyball is played by two teams, six on each team. The teams are separated by a
net. The teams compete with one another using an inflated ball.

How the Game is played:

One team serves the ball over the net to the other team with the intention of placing the ball
into the opponents court. The receiving team attempts to return the ball back over the net to
place it back in the serving teams court.

Object of the Game

The object of the game is to win the match.

Volleyball game rules:

Match
A match is won by the first team to win 3 out of 5 games. Some play the best 2 out of 3. As soon
as a team wins 3 games, the match is over.

Game
A game is played to 25 points, the first team to 25 wins. Games must be won by at least 2
points. So, if there is a 24-24 tie, the game shall be played until one team has a two point lead.
If the match goes to a 5th game, the game is played to 15 points.

Point
A point is scored by a team every time the opponent commits a fault. A point is scored every
time the ball lands in the opponents court.

Common Strategies for Scoring Points

A good strategy for serving would be to serve the ball in such a way that it would be difficult for
the other team to return the ball back over the net.

Each team is allowed 3 hits before the ball has to be returned over the net. A good strategy
would be to play the ball to your teammates in such a manner to make the 3rd hit difficult for
the opponent to play. Most teams try to utilize volleyball strategies to bump, set, then spike the
ball into the opponent’s courts.

Each team consists of 3 front line players and 3 back line players. The front line players may
jump at the net and hit the ball. This strategy is called attacking.

The front line players may also reach above the net and try blocking the ball coming from the
other side.

THE COURT - VOLLEYBALL GAME RULES

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PE 4 - VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball court dimensions are 18 meters by 9 meters (60 ft. by 30 ft.). It is recommended that
the area above the court be at least 7 meters (23 ft.) high.

Boundary Lines
The boundary lines form a rectangular shape around the court. The endlines are the short
boundary lines on short sides of the court. The sidelines are the long boundary lines on the long
sides of the court. It is recommended that the courts boundary lines be a color contrasting the
color of the court. Lines should be 5 centimeters (2 inches) wide.

The Center Line

The center line extends from sideline to sideline underneath the net. The center line separates
the courts playing area into two equal halves, each 30 by 30 feet.

Attack Lines
The attack lines (3 meter line, attack line, or 10 foot line) are the lines placed 3 meters from the
centerline of the court. The attack line extends from sideline to sideline.

Serving Area
The serving area is the area behind the endline where the server serves. The serving area is 30
ft. wide (equal to the width of the sidelines). Both serving areas should be at least 2 meters (6
feet) in depth. If 6 feet isn’t available, volleyball game rules require the serving area be
extended into the court the needed distance and marked.

Substitution Zone
The substitution zone is the area between the attack line and the center line. This is the area
where substitutions take place.

Out of Bounds
According to the volleyball game rules, the ball is out of bounds if it touches…
The floor completely outside the court

 A wall or an object mounted on a wall

 The ceiling above a nonplaying area
 The antenna
 The net, cables, or ropes outside the antennas
 The referee platform or pole
 A non playing player that isn’t interfering with play
 An object that is hanging from the ceiling and is below 15 ft. and in the referees
judgement the ball could not have remained in play

VOLLEYBALL EQUIPMENT – VOLLEYBALL GAME RULES

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PE 4 - VOLLEYBALL

Net
The net is 1 meter (3 ft.) and 9.5 meters (32 ft.) long when stretched. The net is attached to
upright standards that are 1 meter (3 ft.) outside the court. The standards may be padded to a
maximum height of 5 and half feet. Front and sides of the referees platform must be padded,
same as the standards.

Net Antennas
Antennas are attached to the net inline with the outside edge of the sideline. Antennas extend
upward at least 2 and half feet but no more than 3 and a half feet above the net. Antennas
should be fasten securely to the bottom and top of the net. The antennas should be made of
unbreakable material.

Referee Stand
The volleyball game rules require the referee stand to be a stable platform that elevates the
volleyball referees head to about 2 or 3 feet above the top of the net. The platform should be
18 inches long and 12 inches wide.

The Ball
The volleyball must be spherical with a laceless molded cover of 12 or more pieces of genuine
or simulated smooth leather. The ball is about 25 to 27 inches in circumference. The ball should
weigh about 9 to 10 ounces and be inflated to 4.3 to 4.6 pounds.

Scoresheet
In competitive volleyball, volleyball game rules require a scoresheet to be used to keep score. A
scoresheet also provides space for lineups, individual scoring, team scoring, and timeouts.
There is a comments section for recording warnings, penalties, unsporting conduct, and any
other unusual events.

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PE 4 - VOLLEYBALL

VOLLEYBALL OFFICIALS: RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE

REFEREES AND WORK TEAM
Volleyball officials that make up the officiating crew are first referee, second referee,
scorekeeper, assistant scorer, and line judges.

The first referee is in charge from the beginning of the match until the end.

The first referee has authority over all other members of the officiating crew.

The first referee should talk to all the officiating crew members before the match starts, going
over any questions officials might have about their responsibilities.

The first referee should have a talk with the second referee before the match starts discussing
issues such as pre-match protocol and anything that will help the match run more smoothly.

The second referee should establish a rapport with the scorekeeper and libero tracker. If the
scorer and libero tracker have a problem or don’t understand something, they should be
comfortable enough to ask the second referee for help.

Scorekeeper - Volleyball officials

The scorekeeper’s main job is to make sure the score is correct at all times. The scorekeeper
uses a score sheet to keep track of the game.

If there is a difference between the score on the score sheet and the visual score (flip score,
electronic scoreboard, etc.) the visual score should be changed to match the score on the
scoresheet unless the mistake on the scoresheet can be determined and corrected.

One of the volleyball referees should check the accuracy of the scoresheet at the end of each
set.

THE SCOREKEEPER…

Pre-match,
* Before the match starts, the scorekeeper should fill in the pre-match info – team names,
starting line ups, etc.

During the match,

* Records points when they are scored
* Watches the servers and indicates immediately to the referees when a server has served
out of order. It's also good preventive officiating to watch teams volleyball rotation in case
assistance is needed for the second referee to determine the correct team alignment.

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PE 4 - VOLLEYBALL
* Records player substitutions and team timeouts
* Records any sanctions
* Records all other events as instructed by the referees
* Records the final result of the set
* In the case of a protest, after the first referee gives authorization, the scorekeeper lets the
game captain write a statement for protest on the scoresheet.

After the match,

* Records the final result of the match
* Signs the scoresheet

Assistant Scorer - Volleyball officials

The assistant scorer (or libero tracker) sits at the scorer’s table next to the scorekeeper.

The assistant scorer’s main function is to record libero replacements on to a libero tracking
sheet.

THE ASSISTANT SCORER…

* Notifies any fault with libero replacements
* Operates the manual scoreboard on the scorer’s table
* Checks the score on the scoreboard with the score on the scoresheet

Line Judges - Volleyball officials

If only two line judges are used, they stand at the corner of the endline that is closest to the
right hand of each referee, diagonally from the corner.

The line judges watch the endline and sideline of their respective corners.

For FIVB and Official Competitions, four line judges are used. Each line judge stands in the free
zone 1 to 3 meters, lined up with the imaginary extension of their respective line.

Line judge’s main responsibility is to make signals to help out the referees in making judgment
calls.

Line judges may be instructed to use flags to make the signals.

THE LINE JUDGES SIGNAL…

* Ball “in” and “out” whenever the ball lands near the lines
* Touches of “out” balls by players receiving the ball
* Ball touching the antennae
* A served ball crossing the net outside the crossing space (the space between the
antennae’s)
* Any player standing off the court at the moment of service
* Server foot faults

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Sources:
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]

Paul Sarcia
BSIT II-1

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