VOLLEYBALL BASIC RULES

THE SERVE:
Server must serve from behind the end line (dark green/blue) until after contact.
Ball may be served underhand or overhand.
Ball must be clearly visible to opponents before serve.
Served ball may graze the net and drop to the other side for a point.
First
loser.game serve is determined by a volley, each subsequent game shall be served by the previous game
Serve must be returned by a bump only. No setting or attacking a serve.

SCORING:
Rally scoring will be used.
There will be a point scored on every score of the ball.
Offense will score on a defense miss or out of bounds hit.
Defense will score on an offensive miss, out of bounds hit, or serve into the net.
Game will be played to 25 points.
Must win by 2 points.

ROTATION:
Team will rotate each time they win the serve.
Players shall rotate in a clockwise manner.
There shall be 6 players on each side.

PLAYING THE GAME (VOLLEY)

Maximum of three (3) hits per side.
Player may not hit the ball twice in succession (a block is not considered a hit).
Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on serve.
A ball touching a boundary line is good.
A legal
the ballhit
to is contact
visibly with
come tothe ball by a players’ body above and including the waist which does not allow
a rest.
If
maytwonot
or participate
more players contact
in the nextthe ball simultaneously, it is considered one play and the players involved
play.
A player must not block or attack a serve.
Switching positions will be allowed only between front line players. (after the serve only).

BASIC VIOLATIONS:
Stepping on or over the line on a serve.
Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully.
Hitting the ball illegally (carrying, palming, throwing, etc).
Touches
with suchofforce
the net
thatwith any part
it causes theof
netthe
tobody while
contact an the ball is player,
opposing in play.no
If the
foulball
willisbe
driven into
called, the
and net
the ball
shall continue to be in play.
Reaching over the net, except under these conditions:
*When executing a follow-through.
*When
contact blocking a ballafter
the ball until whichtheisopponent
in the opponents court but istobeing
who is attempting returned
return the ball(the blocker
makes mustexcept
contact), not to
block the third play.
*Reaches under the net (if it interferes with the ball or opposing player).
*Failure to serve in correct order.
*Blocks or spikes from a position which is clearly not behind the 10 ft. line while in a back row position.
Full SiteNavigation
Basic Volleyball Rules
Basic Rules and Procedures
Not
just aknowing
fan. the basic volleyball rules can be a frustrating experience whether you're a player, coach, or
You
call, may havedon't
and you stumbled upon volleyball
understand why. on television. You're watching the game, the referees make a

Maybe youteam.
volleyball haveYou
a sudden interest
want to in volleyball
understand now
the rules that
the your
best youdaughter hascan
can so you made theher
cheer high school
team on
Maybe you're a player that often gets frustrated when a referee makes a call that you don't understand.
Maybe you're coaching and looking for every advantage you can get to help your team win.
Maybe you're a recreational volleyball player that is looking for that edge you need.
Whether you're
with the basic a coach,rules.
volleyball athlete, parent, fan, or just a recreational player, it's a good idea to be familiar

Basic Volleyball Rules

310Save
Basic Volleyball Rules for Playing the Game
6 players on a team, 3 on the front row and 3 on the back row
Maximum of three hits per side
Player may not hit the ball twice in succession (A block is not considered a hit)
Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on a serve
A ball hitting a boundary line is "in"
A ball is "out" if it hits...
an antennae,
the floor completely outside the court,
any of the net or cables outside the antennae,
the referee stand or pole,
the ceiling above a non-playable area
It is legal to contact the ball with any part of a players body
It is illegal to catch, hold, or throw the ball
If two or may
involved moremake
players
thecontact the ball
next contact at the same
(provided time,contact
the next it is considered
isn't the one play
teams 4thand
hit)either player
A player can not block or attack a serve from on or inside the 10 foot line
After the serve, front line players may switch positions at the net
At higher scorer
assistant competition, the officiating crew may be made up of two refs, line judges, scorer, and an

Violation that give points to the opponent

When serving, stepping on or across the service line as you make contact with the serve
Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully
Contacting the ball illegally (lifting, carrying, throwing, etc. )
Touching thesuch
the net with net with
forceany
thatpart of the the
it causes body while
net the ballanis opposing
to contact in play. Exception:
player, noIffoul
the will
ball be
is driven
called,into
and
the ball shall continue to be in play.
When blocking
is a violation a ball coming from the opponents court, contacting the ball when reaching over the net
if both:
1) your opponent hasn't used 3 contacts AND
2) they have a player there to make a play on the ball
When attacking
is a violation a ball
if the ballcoming from
hasn't yet the opponents
broken court,
the vertical planecontacting
of the net.the ball whenreaching over the net
Crossing the court
hand or entire footcenterline
must crosswith any
for it to part
be aof your body. Exception: if it's the hand or foot, the entire
violation.
Serving out of order.
Back rowrow
the back player blocking
player (deflecting
is near a ball
the net and hascoming
part offrom their
his/her opponent),
body above thewhen at the
top of the net
moment of contact
(an illegal
block).
Back rowof
moment player attacking
contact the balla is
ball inside theabove
completely front zone ( the
the net (anarea inside
illegal the 10 foot line), when at the
attack).

Volleyball Terms
GLOSSARY – Learn the Terms
Welcome tomost
created the Volleyball.Com’s learn the
thorough volleyball terms
terms listpage! We’ve
on the compiled
internet. thetop
Stay on bestofinformation available and
volleyball terminology
with Volleyball.Com.
ACE
– A serve that is not passable and results immediately in a point.
ANTENNA
–mounted
The vertical rodsabove
directly (normally white and
the sidelines red)
and aremounted nearAntennas
not-in-play. the edgesare
of not
the usually
net. Theused
antennas are
on outdoor
nets.
APPROACH
– Fast stride toward the net by a spiker before he jumps in the air.
ASSIST
–logged
Passing
fororhigh
setting the college,
school, ball to aand
teammate who attacksteam
National/Olympic the ball
play.for a kill. This stat is normally only
ATTACK
–ball
The tooffensive
the floor action
on theof hitting theside.
opponent’s ball. The attempt by one team to terminate the play by hitting the

ATTACK BLOCK
– Receiving players’ aggressive attempt to block a spiked ball before it crosses the net.
ATTACK ERROR
–goes
An unsuccessful
into the net andattack which does
terminates playone of theinto
or goes following:
the net 1)
onthe
theball lands
third out ofball
hit, 3)the bounds, 2) theby
is blocked ball
the
opposition for a point or sideout, 4) the attacker is called for a center line violation, or 5) the attacker is
called for illegal contact (lift, double hit…) on the attack.
ATTACKER
–terminating
Also “hitter” or in
play “spiker.” A player
his or her team’swho attempts to hit a ball offensively with the purpose of
favor.
ATTACK LINE
–referred
A line 3m from
to as thethe net that
“10-foot separates the front row players from the back row players. Commonly
line.”
BACKCOURT
– The area from the endline to the attack line.
BACK SET
– A set delivered behind the setter’s back, which is subsequently hit by an attacker.
BACK ROW ATTACK
–the
When
backarow
backplayer
row player attacks
steps on thethe
or past ball3m
byline
jumping from
during behind
take-off, the
the 3m line
attack before hitting the ball. If
is illegal.
BEACH DIG
– An open hand receive of the ball, also called a “Deep Dish”
BLOCK
–beAadefensive playof
combination byone,
one two
or more players
or three meant
players to deflect
jumping a spiked
in front of theball back tospiker
opposing the hitter’s court. It may
and contacting the
spiked ball with the hands.
BUMP
– a common term for forearm passing.
BALL HANDLING ERROR
–For
Any
ourtime the official
purposes, this calls a double
category hit, a thrown
also includes ball or aerrors
any blocking lift (except
(whenonana official
serve reception or attack).
calls a blocker for a
violation such as going into the net, centerline violation,reaching over the net, etc.).
BUMP PASS
– The use of joined forearms to pass or set a ball in an underhand manner.
CAMPFIRE
–instant
A ball after
that falls to the
the ball hitsfloor in an area
the floor, that’s as
it appears surrounded by two,
if the players three, fourand
are encircling or staring
more players. At the
at a campfire.
CENTER LINE
– The boundary that runs directly under the net and divides the court into two equal halves.
CLOSING THE BLOCK
–block
The in
responsibility
which a ballof the assisting
cannot blocker(s)
fit between the twoto individual
join the primary blocker and create an impenetrable
blockers.
CROSS COURT SHOT
–opposite
An individual attack
sideline directed
of the at an
defensive anglecourt.
team’s from one end of the offensive team’s side of the net to the

CUT SHOT
– A spike from the hitter’s strong side that travels at a sharp angle across the net.
DECOY
– An offensive play meant to disguise the spiker who will receive the set.
DEEP SET
– Set to be hit away from the net to confuseor disrupt the timing of the blockers.
DIG
– Passing a spiked or rapidly hit ball. Slang for the art of passing an attacked ball close to the floor.
DINK
– A legal push of the ball around or over blockers.
DOUBLE BLOCK
– Two players working in unison to deflect an attacked ball at the net back to the hitter’s side.
DOUBLE HIT
– Successive hits or contacts by the same player. (Illegal)
DOUBLE QUICK
– Two hitters approaching the setter for a quick inside hit.
DOUBLES
– A game with two players on each side, most commonly played on a sand court.
DOWN BALL
–hitter
A ball
is the
not blockers elect not
under control. to attempt
A “Down Ball” to block
is hit becauseand
overhand it has been
driven setthe
over toonet
far with
from topspin
the net while
or thethe
player remains standing. “Down Ball,” is usually called aloud by the defense when it becomes apparent
the attacker has no chance of hitting a powerful spike.
FIVE-ONE
– A 6-player offensive system that uses five hitters and one setter.
FIVE SET
– A back set to the right front hitter.
FLARE
– Inside-out path of an outside spiker who hid behind a quick hitter.
FLOATER
–“knuckle
A serve ball”
whichpitch
doesinnot spin or rotate and therefore moves in an erratic path. This is similar to a
baseball.
FOREARM PASS
–inJoin your arms from
an underhand the elbows to the wrists and strike the ball with the fleshy part of your forearms
motion.
FOUL
– A violation of the rules.
FOUR SET
– A set 1′ from the sideline, and 1’ to 2′ above the net.
FOUR-TWO
– A 6-player offensive system using four hitters and two setters.
FREE BALL
–instructing
A ball thatplayers
will beto
returned by aserve
move into pass receive
rather than a spike. This is usually called aloud by the defense
positions.
HELD BALL
– A ball that comes to rest during contact resulting in a foul.
HIT
– To jump and strike the ball with an overhand, forceful shot.
HITTER
– Also “spiker” or “attacker”
HITTING PERCENTAGE
– kills vs. attempts
INSIDE SHOOT
– A playset or a 33.
ISOLATION PLAY
–a chance
Designed
to to
hitisolate
againstthe attacker
a single on a specific defender, normally to exploit a weakness or give a hitter
block.
JUNGLE BALL
–forAny
thisvolleyball gameiswith
type of game people
“Picnic who don’t really know how to play volleyball. A common euphemism
Volleyball.”
JUMP SERVE –
A
itsserve that is motion.
downward started by the server tossing the ball into the air and jumping into and hitting the ball in

JOUST
– When 2 opposing players are simultaneously attempting to play a ball above the net.
KEY
– To predict a team’s next play by observation of patterns or habits.
KILL
– An attack that results in an immediate point or side out.
LINE
– The marks that serve as boundaries of a court.
LINE SHOT
– A ball spiked down an opponent’s sideline, closest to the hitter and outside the block.
LET SERVE
–the
A serve
net onthat
the contacts
way over.the net.ball
If the If the ball
fails todribbles
clear theover,
net, it’s playable
it will becomejust likewhen
dead any other ball hits
it either thatthe
contacts
serving team’s court, or is contacted by a player on the serving team.
MIDDLE-BACK
– A defensive system that uses the middle back player to cover deep spikes.
MIDDLE-UP
– A defensive system that uses the middle back player to cover dinks or short shots.
MINTONETTE
– The original name of the game of volleyball,created by William Morgan.
MULTIPLE OFFENSE
– A system of play using different types of sets other than just normal outside sets.
OFFSIDE BLOCK – Player at the net, which is on the side away from the opponent’s attack.
OFF-SPEED HIT – Any ball spiked with less than maximum force but with spin.
OUTSIDE HITTER
outside the court– a left-front or right-front attacker normally taking an approach which starts from
OVERHAND PASS
just above the – A pass executed with both hands open, controlled by the fingers and thumbs, played
forehead.
OVERHAND SERVE – Serving the ball and striking it with the hand above the shoulder.
OVERLAP
serving. – refers to the positions of the players in the rotation prior to the contact of the ball when
PANCAKE –A
the floor as one-handed
the player divesdefensive technique
or extension where
rolls, and theso
timed hand
thatisthe
extended and the
ball bounces offpalm is slidofalong
the back the
hand.
PASS see “Forearm Pass”
PENETRATION
– The act of reaching across and breakingthe plane of the net during blocking.
POINT OF SERVICE
–pass
A serve that
by the resultsthis
receiver, in a number
point (anincludes
ace by NCAA
aces. standards) as the serve is not returnable due to a bad
POWER ALLEY
– A cross-court hit traveling away from the spiker to the farthest point of the court.
POWER TIP
– A ball that is pushed or directed with force by an attacking team.
POWER VOLLEYBALL
– A competitive style of volleyball started by the Japanese.
QUICK – a player approaching the setter for a quick inside hit
QUICK SETair,
be in the – abefore
set (usually 2’ above
the setter the the
delivers net)ball.
in which the hitter
This type of setisrequires
approaching the
precise setter,
timing and maythe
between even
setter and hitter.
READY
ball. POSITION – The flexed, yet comfortable, posture a player assumes before moving to contact the
RECEPTION ERROR
only in the case – Aace).
of an serveIf that
it is aa“husband/wife”
player should have
playbeen ablethe
(where to ball
return, but
splits results
the in an ace (and
two receivers), the
receiving team is given the reception error instead of an individual.
RED CARD
player – a severe penalty
is disqualified, the teaminloses
whichthe
anserve,
officialordisplays
the teama red card.
loses The result
a point. A red of a red
card maycard
be may
givenbe a
with
or without a prior yellow card as a warning; it is up to the official’s discretion.
ROLL – a certain
rolls over way to(over
the shoulder pass athe
ball in whichroll)
shoulder theor
digger, or passer
back (barrel roll)lays outpassing
after an arm,the
passes
ball. the
Thisball, and
is a quick
way to return to action after the play.
ROOF – Aon
the floor ball
thethat when spiked
attacker’s side. is blocked by a defensive player such that the ball deflects straight to
ROTATION
following a –side
Theout.
clockwise movement of players around the court and through the serving position

SERVE
by one–player.
One of the six basic skills; used to put the ball into play. It is the only skill controlled exclusively

SERVER – The player who puts the ball into play.

SERVICE ERROR
net or fails – An
to clear unsuccessful
the serve
net, 2) the ball in which
lands out ofone or more
bounds, of the
or 3) the server
following occurs:
commits 1) the
a foot ball hits the
fault.
SERVICE WINNER (in
be an immediate – Athe
point the
case ofserving
an ace)team scores(a
or delayed when
kill orthis player has
opponent served
attack theafter
error ball.aThe
longpoint
rally).can
Therefore, the sum of the team’s service winners equals their score.
SET – The tactical
opponent’s court.skill in which a ball is directed to a point where a player can spike it into the
SETTER
Pass” for– athe player who
teammate hasThe
to hit. the setter
2nd ofnormally
3 contacts of the
runs the ball who “sets” the ball with an “Overhand
offense.
SIDE
whenOUT
the –serving
Occursteam
whencommits
the receiving team successfully
an unforced puts
error, and the the ball team
receiving away thus
against thethe
gains serving team,
right to or
serve.
SIX PACK – Occurs when a blocker gets hit in the head or face by a spiked ball.
SIX-TWO – Arotating
hitter upon 6-playerinto
offense usingrow
the front 2 setters opposite
as setter oneinto
2 rotates another in the
the back rotation.
row Setter 1the
and becomes becomes
setter. a
SPIKE – Also
terminate thehitball
or on
attack. A ball contacted
the opponent’s floor with
or offforce by a player blocker.
the opponent’s on the offensive team who intends to

STRONG SIDE –from

hitter is hitting When a right-handed
the hitter is hitting from the left-front position or when a left-handed
right-front position.
STUFF – A“block.”
term for ball that is deflected back to the attacking team’s floor by the opponent’s blockers. A slang

TURNING IN is
blocked ball – the act of into
deflected an outside blocker
the court turning
and lands his/her body into the court so as to ensure the
in-bounds.
UNDERHAND SERVE
and then struck with –the
a serve in which
opposite thefist
closed ball
in is
angiven a slight under-hand
“underhand toss from about waist high
pitching” motion.
WEAK
player SIDE – When
is hitting fromathe
right-handed player is hitting from right-front position or when a left-handed
left-front position.
WIPE – when a hitter pushes the ball off of the opposing block so it lands out of bounds
YELLOW CARDtwo
who receives – a yellow
warning frominan
cards officialisindicated
a match by the
disqualified. display
A single of a yellow
yellow card.not
card does Any player
result in or
losscoach
of
point or serve.