Republic of the Philippines

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

Binnor Pangandaman Integrated College, Inc.
Purok 5, East Kilikili, Wao, Lanao del Sur- 9716
CHED Institutional Code No. 15076

Submitted by: Menang Ampatua

BSED- 3

Submitted to: Mechelle Maagad

PE4 Instructor
 INTRODUCTION
Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, physical director of

the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Massachusetts. It

was designed as an indoor sport for businessmen who found the new game

of basketball too vigorous. Morgan called the sport “mintonette,” until a

professor from Springfield College in Massachusetts noted the volleying

nature of play and proposed the name of “volleyball.” The original rules were written by Morgan and

printed in the first edition of the Official Handbook of the Athletic League of the Young Men’s

Christian Associations of North America (1897). The game soon proved to have wide appeal for both

sexes in schools, playgrounds, the armed forces, and other organizations in the United States, and it

was subsequently introduced to other countries.

In 1916 rules were issued jointly by the YMCA and the National Collegiate Athletic

Association (NCAA). The first nationwide tournament in the United States was conducted by the

National YMCA Physical Education Committee in New York City in 1922. The United States

Volleyball Association (USVBA) was formed in 1928 and recognized as the rules-making, governing

body in the United States. From 1928 the USVBA—now known as USA Volleyball (USAV)—has

conducted annual national men’s and senior men’s (age 35 and older) volleyball championships,

except during 1944 and 1945. Its women’s division was started in 1949, and a senior women’s

division (age 30 and older) was added in 1977. Other national events in the United States are

conducted by member groups of the USAV such as the YMCA and the NCAA.
Volleyball was introduced into Europe by American troops during World War I, when national

organizations were formed. The Fédération Internationale de Volley Ball (FIVB) was organized

in Paris in 1947 and moved to Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1984. The USVBA was one of the 13 charter

members of the FIVB, whose membership grew to more than 210 member countries by the late 20th

century.

International volleyball competition began in 1913 with the first Far East Games, in Manila. During the

early 1900s and continuing until after World War II, volleyball in Asia was played on a larger court,

with a lower net, and nine players on a team.

The FIVB-sponsored world volleyball championships (for men only in 1949; for both men and women

in 1952 and succeeding years) led to acceptance of standardized playing rules and officiating.

Volleyball became an Olympic sport for both men and women at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

European championships were long dominated by Czechoslovakian, Hungarian, Polish, Bulgarian,

Romanian, and Soviet (later, Russian) teams. At the world and Olympic level, Soviet teams have won

more titles, both men’s and women’s, than those of any other nation. Their success was  attributed to

widespread grassroots interest and well-organized play and instruction at all levels of skill. A highly

publicized Japanese women’s team, Olympic champions in 1964, reflected the interest of private

industry in sport. Young women working for the sponsoring company devoted their free time to

conditioning, team practice, and competition under expert and demanding coaching. Encouraged by

the Japanese Volleyball Association, this women’s team made its mark in international competition,

winning the World Championship in 1962, 1966, and 1967, in addition to the 1964 Olympics. At the

end of the 20th century, however, the Cuban women’s team dominated both the World

Championships and the Olympics.

The Pan American Games (involving South, Central, and North America) added volleyball in 1955,

and Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Cuba, and the United States are frequent contenders for top honours.

In Asia, China, Japan, and Korea dominate competition. Volleyball, especially beach volleyball, is

played in Australia, New Zealand, and throughout the South Pacific.

A four-year cycle of international volleyball events, recommended by the FIVB, began in 1969 with

World Cup championships, to be held in the year following the Olympic Games; the second year is

the World Championships; in the third the regional events are held (e.g., European

championships, Asian Games, African Games, Pan American Games); and in the fourth year the

Olympic Games.
The rules and tricks of playing beach volleyball
Beach volleyball—usually played, as its name implies, on a sand court with two players per team—
was introduced in California in 1930. The first official beach volleyball tournament was held in 1948
at Will Rogers State Beach, in Santa Monica, California, and the first FIVB-sanctioned world
championship was held in 1986 at Rio de Janeiro. Beach volleyball was added to the roster of
the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
 The game

the psychomotor coordination required to successfully execute a jump serve in volleyball

the psychomotor coordination required to execute a forearm pass from the basic defensive position
Observe a volleyball defender jumping with both hands extended to block a presumed attacker's
volley
Observe the athletic coordination and flexibility required of a volleyball player to perform a defensive
dig
Volleyball requires a minimum of equipment and space and can be played indoors or outdoors. The

game is played on a smooth-surfaced court 9 metres (30 feet) wide by 18 metres (60 feet) long,

divided by a centre line into two equal areas, one of which is selected by or assigned to each of the

two competing teams. Players may not step completely beyond the centre line while the ball is in

play. A line 3 metres (10 feet) from and parallel to the centre line of each half of the court indicates

the point in front of which a back court player may not drive the ball over the net from a position

above the top of the net. (This offensive action, called a spike, or kill, is usually performed most

effectively and with greatest power near the net by the forward line of players.) A tightly stretched net

is placed across the court exactly above the middle of the centre line; official net heights (measured

from the top edge of the net to the playing surface—in the middle of the court) are 2.4 metres (8 feet)

for men and 2.2 metres (7.4 feet) for women. Further adjustments in net height can be made for

young people and others who need a lower net. A vertical tape marker is attached to the net directly

above each side boundary line of the court, and, to help game officials judge whether served or

volleyed balls are in or out of bounds, a flexible antenna extends 1 metre (3 feet) above the net along
the outer edge of each vertical tape marker. The ball used is around 260 to 280 grams (9 to 10

ounces) and is inflated to about 65 cm (25.6 inches) in circumference. A ball must pass over the net

entirely between the antennae. A service area, traditionally 3 metres (10 feet) long, is marked outside

and behind the right one-third of each court end line. At the 1996 Olympic Games the service area

was extended to 9 metres (30 feet). The service must be made from within or behind this area. A

space at least 2 metres (6 feet) wide around the entire court is needed to permit freedom of action,

eliminate hazards from obstructions, and allow space for net support posts and the officials’ stands. A

clear area above the court at least 8 metres (26 feet) high is required to permit the ball to be served

or received and played without interference.

Informally, any number can play volleyball. In competition each team consists of six players, three of

whom take the forward positions in a row close to and facing the net, the other three playing the back

court. (An exception to this rotation is the libero, a position introduced at the 2000 Olympics; see

below.) Play is started when the right back (the person on the right of the second row) of the serving

team steps outside his end line into the serving area and bats the ball with a hand, fist, or arm over

the net into the opponents’ half of the court. The opponents receive the ball and return it across the

net in a series of not more than three contacts with the ball. This must be  done without any player

catching or holding the ball while it is in play and without any player touching the net or entering the

opponents’ court area. The ball must not touch the floor, and a player may not touch the ball twice in

succession. A player continues to serve until his team makes an error, commits a foul, or completes

the game. When the service changes, the receiving team becomes the serving team and its players

rotate clockwise one position, the right forward shifting to the right back position and then serving

from the service area. Either team can score, with points being awarded for successfully hitting the

ball onto the opposing side’s half of the court, as well as when the opposing side commits errors or

fouls, such as hitting the ball out of bounds, failing to return the ball, contacting the ball more than

three times before returning it, etc. Only one point at a time is scored for a successful play. A game is
won by the team that first scores 25 points, provided the winning team is ahead by 2 or more points,

except in the fifth set, when a team needs to score only 15 points and win by 2 points.

The 2000 Olympics introduced significant rule changes to international competition. One change

created the libero, a player on each team who serves as a defensive specialist. The libero wears a

different colour from the rest of the team and is not allowed to serve or rotate to the front line. Another

important rule change allowed the defensive side to score, whereas formerly only the serving team

was awarded points.

 1895: William G. Morgan (1870-1942) created the game of volleyball but called the

game Mintonette.

 1896: The first exhibition match of volleyball is played at Springfield College (called International

YMCA Training school in 1896).

 1900: A special ball was designed for the sport.

 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.

 1917: The game was changed from 21 to 15 points.

 1920s: There are unconfirmed whispers of men’s teams playing on the beach in Hawaii, but most

accounts place the sport’s origin in Santa Monica, California where the first Volleyball courts are

put up on the beach at the Playground. Families play 6 vs. 6.

 1920: Three hits per side and back row attack rules were instituted.

 1922: The first YMCA national championships were held in Brooklyn, NY. 27 teams from 11

states were represented.

 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.

 1930s: The first two-man beach volleyball game is played in Santa Monica, California.

 1934: The approval and recognition of national volleyball referees.

 1937: At the AAU convention in Boston, action was taken to recognize the U.S. Volleyball

Association as the official National Governing Body (NGB) in the U.S.

 1947: The Federation Internationale De Volley-Ball (FIVB) was founded.

 1948: The first two-man beach tournament was held.

 1949: The initial World Championships were held in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

 1964: Volleyball was introduced to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

 1965: The California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) was formed.

 1974: The World Championships in Mexico were telecast in Japan.

 1975: The U.S. 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).

 1976: First professional beach volleyball tournament was called the Olympia World

Championship of Beach Volleyball. It took place at Will Rogers State Beach during late summer

in 1976.

 1977: The U.S. National Men’s team began a year-round training regime in Dayton, Ohio (moved

to San Diego, CA in 1981).

 1983: The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was formed.

 1984: The U.S. won their first medals at the Olympics in Los Angeles. The Men won the Gold,

and the Women the Silver.

 1986: The Women’s Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) was formed.

 1988: The U.S. Men repeated the Gold in the Olympics in Korea.

 1989: The FIVB Sports Aid Program was created.

 1990: The World League was created.

 1992: The U.S. Women’s Volleyball team wins Bronze at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona,

Spain.

 1995: The sport of Volleyball was 100 years old! This Web site – Volleyball.Com goes live!

 1996: 2-person Beach Volleyball debuted as an Olympic sport.

 1997: Dain Blanton (with Canyon Ceman) becomes the first African-American professional beach

volleyball player to win a tournament on the Miller Lite/AVP Tour.

 1998: For the first time in the FIVB World Tour, men and women players are rewarded at the

same level with $170,000 in total prize money per Open event.

 1999: For the first time beach volleyball was included in the Pan American Games which were

held in Canada.

 2000: Olympic Beach Volleyball Men’s Gold medallists: Eric Fomoimoana & Dain Blanton (USA).

The women’s Beach Volleyball America (BVA) announces their inaugural season of play.

 2001: Christopher “Sinjin” Smith plays the final match of his impressive career, a 21-19 and 24-

22 loss with George Roumain to Dax Holdren and Todd Rogers in the 4th round of the

contender’s bracket at the AVP Manhattan Beach Open. Sinjin retires as the leader in

tournaments played with 416, 2nd in all-time victories with 139, and 4th in all-time winnings with

over US$1.6 million earned.

 2002: Beach volleyball court dimensions reduced to 8m x 8m per side.

 2003: Karch Kiraly becomes the first player to earn US$3M in prize money and oldest player to

win an AVP tournament at age 42 years, 9 months and 14 days. (You’re never too old for

volleyball!)

 2004: U.S. Women’s team Kerri Walsh and Misty May Win the Gold medal in the Women’s

Olympic Beach Volleyball Title in Athens, Greece.

 2005: Olympic gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor win their second Association

of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Open women’s title and the 2005 overall women’s

championship.

 2006: Elaine Youngs’ second place finish (with Rachel Wacholder) in Seaside Heights pushes

her career earnings past $1 million. She becomes the third American woman to achieve that

mark.

 2006: In Seaside Heights, both Casey Jennings (with Matt Fuerbringer) and Kerri Walsh (with

Misty May-Treanor) won titles, becoming just the second husband-wife duo to win pro beach

events on the same weekend. They join Mike and Patty Dodd, who accomplished the feat four

times in 1989, but each time in different locations.

 2006: Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor win in Chicago as Walsh joins the millionaire club. She

is the 18th person worldwide to win over $1 million in her career, and did so in fewer events (90th

tournament) as well as being one of just four to reach the mark before turning 28 years old.

 2007: Misty May-Treanor passes Brazilians Adriana Behar and Shelda Bede as the most winning

player since the women’s competition on the international beach volleyball circuit began in 1992.

 2007: Misty May-Treanor becomes the women’s all-time wins leader by capturing her 73rd

victory, surpassing Holly McPeak’s record by winning with Kerri Walsh in Hermosa Beach. She

reached this total in just 123 tournaments — winning 57.5% of her events.

 2007: In a championship match that lasted 1:41, Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs defeat

Jennifer Boss and April Ross 21-19, 18-21, 16-14 in Seaside Heights. The marathon  set the

record for the longest match in rally scoring, men or women, in domestic or international play.

 2007: Karch Kiraly retires to close an impressive career on the beach, leaving as the all-time

wins leader and money earner. His longevity was marked by the fact he won a tournament in 24

different years, and he advanced to the semifinals in over 75% of all the events he ever played

and was named as the AVP’s MVP a record-most six times.

 2008: Hot Winter Nights, a series of 19 events in January and February, kicks off in Oklahoma

City, Oklahoma marking the first ever indoor beach volleyball tour. Mark Williams and Nancy

Mason are the first winners in the “King of the Beach format” events.

 2008: The U.S. Women’s Volleyball team wins Silver at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing,

China.

 2008: U.S. Women’s Beach Volleyball team Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh take the Gold

medal in Volleyball at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. China placed in both Silver

and Bronze categories. U.S. Beach Volleyball’s Men’s team Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rodgers

also took the Gold in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Brazil men’s teams placed in

both Bronze and Silver categories.

 2012: The U.S. Women’s Volleyball team wins Silver at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

 2012: U.S. Women’s team Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings return to the Summer

games in London to successfully defend their Gold medal wins of 2008 and 2004 and become

the only Women’s team in the sport’s history to ever win three consecutive Olympic Gold medals.

Jennifer Kessey and April Ross of the United States win the Silver medal the same year.

 2016: The U.S. Women’s Volleyball Team qualifies to play at the Summer Olympics in Rio.

 2016: Today, people all over the world play volleyball. Research shows volleyball is one of the

top 3 most popular sports for women to play in high school. However, people of all ages find

enjoyment in recreational volleyball, as its’ popularity continues to grow.

INTRODUCTION
Volleyball, game played by two teams, usually of six players on a side, in which the players
use their hands to bat a ball back and forth over a high net, trying to make the ball touch the court
within the opponents’ playing area before it can be returned. To prevent this a player on the opposing
team bats the ball up and toward a teammate before it touches the court surface—that teammate
may then volley it back across the net or bat it to a third teammate who volleys it across the net. A
team is allowed only three touches of the ball before it must be returned over the net.Volleyball is the
second most popular participation sport worldwide, behind only soccer.
Over 800 million people around the globe play volleyball weekly, with Americans only representing
about 6% of the international weekly volleyball players.
But this number is sure to increase as volleyball is rapidly becoming immensely popular everywhere
around the world.
The Birth and History of Volleyball
William Morgan (no, not Captain William Morgan) was an instructor at a YMCA in Holyoke,
Massachusetts in the late 1800s.
In 1895, he decided he needed to create a game more suitable for the less athletic, business focused
boys and men at the YMCA.
A game that would still require strength and skill, but be appropriate for people less mobile.
He would call this game “mintonette”.
William had the opportunity to interact with a man by the name of James Naismith during his time at
Springfield College, in the early 1890s.
Naismith, of course, was the inventor of what is now internationally known as basketball.
Mr. Morgan was inspired by Naismith’s creativity and set out to create a sport blending the skills of
basketball, baseball, handball, and tennis, wanting to borrow some ideas as he had limited time to
come up with his invention.
All the while, he was keeping in mind his goal of creating a game for all age levels and strengths.
His creation was finally completed in 1895.
At that point, William had a set of ground rules made up to facilitate the game.
He used a tennis net, lifted to the height of six feet and six inches.
He chose a court roughly 30 feet wide and 60 feet long (probably close to 25 x 50 at first), to ensure
the game could be played in gymnasiums all around the country.
Here is a short list of the rules, as originally set forth by William Morgan in 1895.
There are some distinct differences between the game at its inception and the game as it will be even
30 years later, in the early 1920s.
1. The game will last nine “innings”.
2. An inning correlates to the number playing. If one man is on each side – then an inning is one
serve series per side. A lost serve is half the inning.
3. A serve must be struck and hit over the net. The server has two tries to get it in (like tennis),
however, if a teammate hits the ball after the service to “help” it over it is good.
4. A side only scores when serving – as in side out scoring.
5. The ball is considered dead anytime it hits the net. No “let serves” or playing it out of the net.
6. The line is considered out.
7. Any number of people can play, if teams are equal.
8. If a ball touches a wall or ceiling and bounces back in play, it is still live.
9. No limit to hits per side and no limits to hits in a row by the same player (dribbling).
The Creation of a New Ball
As William worked on his new game, he did have one major hiccup…
He faced quite a challenge selecting an appropriate ball to be struck back and forth.
A basketball was too heavy. Even with the leather stripped off, the bladder was not substantial
enough.
So, Mr. Morgan sought the assistance of a familiar name in the world of sports goods – A.G. Spalding
& Bros.
Along with Dale Callaghan, a specialized ball was created that was about 26 inches in circumference
and weighing in at around 10.5 ounces.
This provided the very rough outline for what would become the modern-day volleyball.
The Death of “Mintonette”
It was time for William Morgan to debut his new game to the world, or at least those in attendance at
the new East Gymnasium at the Springfield College.
The history of volleyball would never be the same...
Mr. Morgan announced his sport as “mintonette” and his presentation would include two teams of five
men to demonstrate the game and its rules.
In attendance that day was a significant figure at Springfield College, Professor Alfred T. Halstead.
Mr. Halstead suggested that the game was a masterpiece, however, the name was a little lacking…
Halsted stated that it appeared the men were volleying the ball back and forth to each other and the
game should be called “volleyball”.
The day Mintonette had its debut, it lost its name to the term Volleyball.
On July 7, 1896, volleyball had its first official game.
From there, William Morgan moved on from the YMCA to pursue other careers. He was said to simply
be proud that volleyball was being enjoyed by so many people.
William Morgan would die on December 27, 1942.
His name continues to be honored in the volleyball world, as the top male and female players at the
United States collegiate volleyball level are awarded the Morgan Trophy each year.
The Spread of Volleyball
From its introduction in 1896 to the people of the local YMCA and Springfield College, volleyball has
traveled all the way around the world.
It has spread relatively organically through a variety of social coincidences and intentional
introductions.

The YMCA played a major role in the globalization of volleyball. The sport was spread to areas of
YMCA influence in the early 1900s.

Areas like Canada, Asia, and South America saw an influx of people playing volleyball around the
turn of the 20th century.

Volleyball picked up in popularity quickly from there and spread to areas of the Caribbean and fully
inundated South America.

In 1907, the Playground of America convention highlighted volleyball as one of the “most popular
sports” of the time, and in 1913, volleyball was introduced to competition at the Far Eastern games.

Another significant impact on the global distribution of volleyball was the disbursement of U.S. military
members throughout the world in late 1910s.

In 1919, around 16,000 service members were presented with volleyballs, and the game was spread
to many nations at this time by those serving abroad.

Fast forward to 1964 and volleyball makes its Olympics debut in Tokyo, Japan. A more modern ball
was introduced by Japanese players.

The 1960s were quite innovative for volleyball as the dink, bump, and block were all introduced to the
game.

In 1996, beach volleyball finds its way into the Olympics and the indoor game is streamlined.

1996 marks the seismic increase in the global popularity of competitive volleyball.
Volleyball Changes Over Time
Like all sports, volleyball has seen some significant changes since its inception in the late 1800s.

Rules have come and gone, as have strategies.

Let’s look at some key rule changes throughout the 100+ years of volleyball’s existence.
  • 1900: Net height raised to 7’6”.

  • 1912: Establishment of six players per side and rotation before the serve.

  • 1916: Establishment that ball must be touched by another player after each contact.

  • 1916: Net height raised to 8’0”.

  • 1920: Only three hits per side introduced.

  • 1922: Back line touching rules introduced. Win by two precedent set.

  • 1925: Introduction of basic substitution rules and limitations.

  • 1937: Multiple contacts allowed on hard hit balls.

  • 1938: Blocking rules introduced – one or two man block allowed but had to be adjacent.

  • 1940: Ball rules clarified – must be 12-piece laced leather ball.

  • 1949: Three man block legalized.

  • 1951: Back line hits allowed by back row players.

  • 1952: Serves from anywhere behind the service line – making way for jump serves.
  • 1956: Rotational rules set.

  • 1960: Women’s net height lowered to 7’4”.

  • 1968: “Spiking line” moved from seven feet to what is now the 10-foot line (3m line).

  • 1974: Antennae were officially added to the net set up.

  • 1976: Blocks no longer count as first touch. Rescinded the hard hit ball contact rule.

  • 1984: Double contact allowed on serve receives. Blocking or attacking serve illegal.

  • 1999: Introduction of rally scoring. Games to 25 (deciding games to 15) – win by two.

  • 2001: “Let” serve in play (ball can touch net and still be played if in opponent court).

  • 2002: Coaches allowed to communicate with players throughout play.

As we can see, a myriad of changes occurred as the popularity of volleyball grew internationally.

Many rules were introduced, rescinded, and reintroduced several times as the rules continued to be
ironed out.
Who Makes the Volleyball Rules Now?
As volleyball has settled into its own over the century or so it has been around, many have had input
on the rules and laws of the sport.

As early as 1928, an association now known as USA Volleyball (formerly the United States Volleyball
Association or USVBA) was formed to address standardization of the rules of the game.
This allowed the game to be played across the nation under the same guidelines, making events like
the first volleyball U.S. Open possible.

About 20 years later, the Federation Internationale de Volleyball was introduced in Paris, France, as

an international governing body, providing worldwide stability for the growing game.
In turn, international tournaments could be organized utilizing the rules set forth by the new
international federation.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the NCAA officially sanctioned volleyball and national teams were
organized for Olympic and international tournament play.

From there, into the 1980s, two-man beach volleyball gained notoriety and was given an international
stage in 1996 at the summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.
While there are several national and international groups determining their specific rules of the game,
volleyball has come into a time of stability and popularity like never before.

Rule changes are minor and hardly prevalent, and competitive play is popular amongst all age
groups.

The seven basic skills of volleyball are:

 Forearm passing (also known as bumping)

 Volleying
 Setting
 Digging
 Attacking
 Blocking
 Serving
Here is a brief explanation of each of the seven skills, and why they’re so important.

1. Forearm Passing or Bumping

By far one of the most basic skills in volleyball is passing, also known as bumping. This is when a
player contacts the volleyball with their forearms and redirects the ball to one of their teammates.
But don’t think of elementary school gym class, when everyone just stands there with their hands
clasped in front of them, waiting for the ball to come to them. A good passer doesn’t wait for the ball –
he or she moves to meet the ball.

Good defensive stance

A good defensive stance when waiting to pass the ball is to have bent knees, body leaning forward at
the waist with the weight of the body slightly forward, and arms bent out in front but hands not
clasped together. This position makes it easier to move towards the ball. Try running with your hands
clasped in front of you – not very natural, is it?

Don’t just swing your arms at the ball – aim your pass by point your hands and shoulders in the
direction you’d like the ball to go.

Passing the ball is one of the most important skills, because it’s usually the first of the three ball
contacts the team makes. A good pass will make it easier for the setter to get a good setup to the
hitter. A bad pass makes it a lot harder to execute a good bump-set-spike play. As my coach used to
say, “It starts with a pass”!
2. Volleying
Many beginners think a volley and a set are the same thing, but they are actually two different terms.
A volley is a more generic term that means contacting the ball as an overhead pass with your hands
(mostly your fingers). A set is actually a type of volley.

A volley can be used on your own side of the court, or it can be used as an offensive way of getting
the ball back over the net. A set, on the other hand, is generally a pass between players on the same
team. Setting the other team happens occasionally as error, but really, you want to try to avoid setting
up the other team to hit the ball back at you

Put your hands up over your head, with your index fingers almost touching your forehead and your
thumbs and index fingers shaping into almost a diamond – that’s the starting point for an overhead
pass.

Don’t contact the ball with your arms fully extended, otherwise the only strength you’ll have behind
your volley will be from your wrists. You’ll want to bend your arms, as well as your knees, and extend
them both as you’re contacting the ball. Now you can actually get some distance to your volley!

Many beginners shy away from trying to volley, because it’s easy to get a ball violation call if you’re
using the wrong technique. But being able to volley well is important, because there will definitely be
times when you’ll need to pass the ball overhead. You can’t always rely on just bumping the ball! The
good news is that there are drills that you can do by yourself to improve your volleying skills.

3. Setting
A set is a specialized type of volley. It’s usually the second hit, and it’s intended to set up one of your
teammates to attack the ball. So, it’s basically volleying the ball in a way that means the attacker can
hit the ball over the net.

The speed of your set is also important. There are some trickier sets that are a lot faster (and require
good communication between the setter and the hitter), but when executed well, they often get
through the block. A good set is actually about a foot away from the net. This gives the hitter enough
room to follow through with their whole arm swing, and gives them enough room to land without
touching the net.

The setter is a specialized position, which means there’s one player whose job it is to try to set every
ball. However, even with a dedicated setter, there will be plays where the setter just can’t get to the
second ball, and another player will have to set the ball. Being able to volley is necessary, but
knowing the other factors like where to aim the set, and set speed and height will help to get a better
set.

4. Attacking
While spiking is the most glamourous and well-known type of attack, there are actually other ways to
deliver an offensive play as well.

Hitting or spiking is when a player jumps up and hits the ball with a one-armed overhead swinging
motion, contacting the ball squarely with their slightly open hand. The intent of a hit is pure power –
jumping helps generate more power and momentum. A skilled player also aims the ball around the
block and targets the area of the opposing team’s playing area that they think has the weakest
defense coverage.
The basic technique for delivering a hit actually begins with your feet, known as the hitting approach.
Start by taking a big step with your non-dominate foot (for right-handed hitters, this is usually your left
foot), then a big second step with your right foot. Then, plant your left foot beside your right foot, and
jump. Taking those first two big steps helps give your jump more power and height.

A tip is similar to a hit in technique, but instead of powering the ball as hard as possible, the attacker
simply pokes at the ball to “tip” it over the net. You can either use your fingertips, or your knuckles.
Either way is allowed, as long as the ball isn’t held too long or carried.

A tip is often used intentionally to place the ball in the holes of the opposing team’s defensive setup…
or, it can also be used as a last-ditch effort to get the ball over the net when the attacker has mistimed
their hitting approach, or the set it too close to the net for the hitter to get a full arm swing.
A roll shot is also a great attacking option. This again is similar in technique to a hit, but instead of
powering through the swing and contacting the ball as hard as possible, the hitter focuses more on
placing the ball strategically, and swinging a bit more slowly. A player can hit a roll shot either using a
jumping approach, or while keeping their feet on the ground.

The name “roll shot” comes from how the player contacts the ball, which is by rolling their open hand
over or underneath it (instead of smashing it with a slightly open palm like a spike). This gives more
control in placement, and also in timing. It also puts a spin on the ball, making it harder to pick up by
the defensive player.

You might ask, why does a roll shot work so well? It seems like kind of a lame hitting option.
However, a well-timed roll shot is actually one of the most strategic offensive plays. Most blockers
anticipate a hard-driven hit, and time their jump to block it. With a good roll shot, the ball either goes
over or around the blockers, who have already committed to blocking a hard-driven hit.

As a blocker there’s nothing worse than being in the air and seeing that ball soar over your head –
ahh, so frustrating! Since you’ve already committed to the jump, you can’t exactly jump again while
you’re still in the air!
However, as the hitter, you’ve just executed a smart and strategic play, which has a good chance of
scoring the point. It may not have the glory of a powerful hit, but done at the right time, it’s a great
play. And definitely worth a round of high 5s!

When you’re attacking the ball, remember that no part of your body is allowed to touch the net, or
land on the other side of the net. This is especially important as the hitter, because the momentum
from your jump can actually give you less control for where you’re landing. That’s why you want to be
extra mindful of where you start your jump, so that you give yourself enough space to land on your
side of the court, and also to swing your arm with enough follow through so that you’re not swiping
the net after you’ve contacted the ball.

Being able to attack the ball well is a critical volleyball skill, as most points in volleyball are scored by
a successful attack. You don’t have to be the best power hitter and get all the killer spikes. A well-
timed and well-placed tip or roll shot has just as much chance of sc.

5. Diving
Diving is basically crashing to the floor in an all-out attempt to keep the ball from touching the floor.
Okay, it’s not really about crashing to the floor… using a good technique will not only help you save
your body some aches and pains, but using some skill and coordination means you have a better
chance of actually keeping the ball in play.

When diving for the volleyball, remember that you want to contact the ball  before you hit the floor
(unless you’re doing a pancake, see below). The diving technique is basically a way to land that
minimizes the amount of impact on your body.

To break it down in slow motion, you basically forearm pass the ball, then commit to hitting the floor
by bringing the side of your knee down to the floor (most likely your dominate side), followed by the
side of your hip, then your chest. You want to avoid all parts of your body hitting the floor
simultaneously, as this causes the most amount of impact (and pain!).

Also remember to keep your eyes looking up and forward as much as possible, as this will help keep
your head from contacting the floor.

After a bit of practice, digging becomes second nature. When you’re ready feeling more proficient,
you can try a pancake. No, this isn’t just a tasty breakfast treat! A pancake is when the player dives
and slides for the ball, keeping their hand as flat on the ground as possible, so that the ball just
bounces off their hand (without touching the floor) and stays in play.
When done correctly, a pancake dive play is spectacular, and will earn you lots of high 5s and cheers
from your teammates, and maybe even some oohs and ahhs from the spectators. However, when
done poorly, it can also result in a few good-natured laughs at just how mistimed, uncoordinated, and
off-target your attempt was. Definitely worth the effort either way!

Diving is probably one of the hardest skills to learn in volleyball, because, let’s face it, it can hurt. A
lot. But give it a few tries, and you’ll get more comfortable with it.

6. Blocking
Probably one of the most straight-forward named skills, a block is a defensive play when a player
jumps at the net to block the hit from coming onto their team’s side of the net. The key secret to
blocking is timing. I’m 5’5, and I’ve blocked hitters who are over 6’ when I’ve managed to time my
jump correctly.

There are, of course, other factors related to a great block. You want to keep your fingers splayed as
wide as possible to cover as much space as you can. And since the hitter is trying their hardest to hit
around or above your block, you want to keep an eye on their shoulder to try to determine where
they’re aiming. This way you can adjust your hands to put them in front of the ball more accurately.

A lot of newer blockers think you just jump straight up, but you actually want to push your hands
slightly forward at the peak of your jump. This action gives you more strength against the hard-driven
spike when you contact it. Without this extra boost, you may still contact the ball, but the momentum
from the swing will win out against your block, and the ball will still make it onto your side of the court.

When blocking, remember that no part of a player’s body can touch the net, either when they’re
jumping up or when they’re landing. A player must also be careful that their feet stay on their side of
the centre line. This is often how ankle injuries occur, when either the blocker or the hitter lands under
the net and they land on the foot of the other player. This is how I sprained my ankle, and I still get a
bit squeamish thinking about it! However, with the right technique, these kinds of injuries can be
significantly minimized.
Blocking is an important skill, because it is literally the first line of defense against the attack coming
over the net. Even if the block doesn’t completely stop the attack, it has a good chance of slowing
down the ball so that another player can dig it up.
And sometimes having a block in place is a good intimidation factor for the player who is hitting the
ball. It’s much easier to hit a ball over the net when there aren’t any hands in the way! Putting up a
block means the attacker has to work just a little bit harder to earn the point.

7. Serving
Every play in volleyball starts with a serve. As one of my coaches used to say, serving is the only time
in the game that you start with full control of the ball. This is why you’ll often see a lot of strategy used
by servers.

A player can choose to serve over or underhand. An underhand serve is often seen as more of a
beginner or recreational type of serve; however, I’ve seen some pretty aggressive underhand serves.

Basic Volleyball Positions

Basic volleyball positions include setter, middle hitter, left-side hitters, right-side hitters, and libero. 

Understanding Player Roles

It's important to understand that each player on the court has a different role. 

Setter 
The setter needs to have consistent overhand skills and a desire to be involved in every play and be
relied upon.

The setter needs to possess the ability to make decisions quickly and be a leader on the court. A
leadership mentality is important for communicating with teammates and analyzing situations on a
regular basis. 
Basic Volleyball Positions

Left-Side Hitters 
The left-side hitter (also referred to as the outside hitter) must carry a lot of responsibility for getting
kills. The left-side hitter is a big part of the offense because the setter will likely set them often,
especially when the team is out of system. Left-side hitters often need to deal with hitting against a
double block. It's good if your left-side hitter has backrow skills and can stay in the game for six
rotations. The left-side hitter is often the teams star player and best hitter. 

Middle Hitter 
The middle hitters need to have a never say die mentality. Middles need to be quick and have good
movement skills. Middle hitters need to have a great work ethic and have the ability to quickly analyze
situations. Middle hitters need to be quick to hit quick sets and move quick along the net to block. It's
important for middle hitters to anticipate well in order to cover a lot of territory blocking at the net.
Good blocking skills are especially important for players that play middle. 

Right-Side Hitter 
Of the basic volleyball positions, the left-side hitter is usually the strongest attacker. Therefore, the
right-side hitter needs to have strong blocking skills. Setting skills are also important for right-side
hitters because being opposite the setter, if the setter makes the dig on the first ball, the right-side
needs to set the second ball. The right-side is commonly referred to as the "technique position"
because the player often has multiple roles and needs to be good at a variety of techniques. 

Libero 
The player that plays libero needs to have strong serve receive skills and defensive skills because
her main responsibility is starting the offense. During the rally, a good libero constantly controls and
patrols the backcourt. The libero may be in charge of passing formations and must communicate
changes to teammates. The libero must have passion for making defensive plays and thrive on
starting the offense for the setter and hitters. 

To be great at these basic volleyball positions, players must understand their role and play
aggressive at her position. 

there have been some great volleyball players over the years, but it is difficult to compare players from different
eras, as they never get to play head to head, under the same conditions. The greatest players can come from
all forms of volleyball - indoor and beach, males and females.

Players of the Century

If you are looking for the greatest ever volleyball players, they may be one of the player's
of the century. In 2001, the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) announced the
male and female volleyball players of the century. The selections were made by a 12-
member panel of volleyball experts, following thousands of nominations by the public.
Players were selected based on top results, performance, stability, personal attitude and
technical contribution to volleyball. Here are the final lists, and the eventual winners.
BEST VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS INTERNATIONALLY MALE AND FEMALE
Giba Brazilian. Full name Gilberto Amaury de Godoy Filho.

Hugo Argentina (1982-00). On the final list of FIVB players of the

Conte century.

Jimmy The first Indian volleyball player to become a professional

George and played club volleyball in Italy.

Josef Musil Czechia (1952-1968). On the final list of FIVB players of

the century.

Karch Indoor and outdoor legendary player from the USA. He was
Kiraly named 'Greatest Volleyball Player of the Century' by FIVB
in 2001 (along with Bernardi). He is the only player who
has won both indoor and beach volleyball Olympic gold
medal

Katsutoshi Japan (1964-77). On the final list of FIVB players of the

Nekoda century.

Konstantin USSR (1949-56). On the final list of FIVB players of the

Reva century.
Lorenzo Italian indoor player, was twice World champion with his
Bernardi  national team (1990 and 1994). Named 'Greatest Volleyball
Player of the Century' by FIVB in 2001 (along with Kiraly).

Phill USA player

Dalhausser

Randy The first player to earn $1,000,000 playing volleyball

Stoklos

Renan Brazil (1982-88). On the final list of FIVB players of the

Dalzotto century.

Ron Von He played in 54 beach volleyball tournaments from 1966 to

Hagen 1972 and never finished lower than third spot.

Sinjin Member of the U.S. National Team from 1979-1982

Smith

Steve Steve Timmons was named as MVP of the Olympics by the

Timmons FIVB after leading USA to a Gold medal in 1984.

Tomas Poland (1974-76). On the final list of FIVB players of the

Wojtowicz century.

Fernanda Brazil (1986-96). On the final list of FIVB players of the

Venturini century.

Flo Hyman USA

Inna Ryskal USSR (1964-76). On the final list of FIVB players of the
century.

Kerri Walsh female beach player

Lang Ping China (1981-84). On the final list of FIVB players of the
century.

Logan Tom female, USA

Misty May- female beach player from the USA

Treanor

Paula played for USA in three Olympics

Weishoff

Regla Cuban volleyball player who has won three Olympic gold
Torres medals. In 2001 awarded the "Best Female Player of the
20th Century" award by the FIVB.

Rose One of the world's most dominant middle blockers for

Magers- much of the 1980s and early part of the 1990s.
Powell

Yumilka Captain of the Cuban women’s volleyball team. (shirt

Ruiz Luaces name Ruiz)