VOLLEYBALL

HISTORY

The sport of volleyball is more than one hundred years old. It was invented in the
United States by a man named William Morgan of Holyoke, Massachusetts. The
history of volleyball began in 1895, when Williams was serving as the director of
physical education at a local YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association). He
noticed the growing popularity of a game called basketball that had been
invented in 1891 by his colleague James Naismith. Williams recognized that
many young men enjoyed the game of basketball because it was fast paced and
it involved full physical contact. However, he felt the need to create a game that
could be enjoyed by men of all ages, especially middle-aged men.

Williams decided to combine the elements of badminton, basketball, baseball,

tennis, and handball to create the new game of volleyball, originally called
mintonette. The game of mintonette was played on a court divided by a tennis
net that was raised 6 feet 6 inches off the floor. Players used a rubber bladder
from inside a basketball, and they hit the ball back and forth over the net until one
of the teams was unable to return it. The name of the game was eventually
changed to volleyball because of the constant volleying of the ball over the net.

The first game of competitive volleyball was played in 1896 at Springfield

College. In a few short years, rules were established and changes were made to
make the game more structured and challenging. In the very beginning, a team
was allowed to have as many players as they could fit on a 50’ x 25’ court, and
the number of hits was unlimited. Eventually, the number of players allowed was
set at nine per team, and then reduced to six. The number of contacts was later
established at three hits per side. The original rules of volleyball required a team
to reach 21 points to win a game. In 1917, the number changed from 21 to 15.

The equipment also changed over the years. The first volleyball nets were just
higher than the average man’s height. The height of the net was raised
approximately 18 inches to make the game more challenging. In 1900, a special
ball was designed by Spalding specifically for the game of volleyball. The
standard shape and weight of the ball were very similar to the balls we use today.

The first games of volleyball began in a gymnasium in the United States, and
they were played by middle aged men. Over the years, the game has spread
throughout the world, and it is enjoyed by men and women of all ages. Men from
the YMCA in Holyoke took the game to missionary schools in Asia. Other
countries that quickly picked up the sport were Russia and the Philippines. In
 1928, the United States Volleyball Association was established, and in 1947, the
Federation of International Volleyball was founded. A year later, the game was
taken outside of the gymnasium onto the beaches of Southern California.
Volleyball is now played in a variety of arenas and the appeal of the sport is
evident across the globe.

GAME RULES

A. The Game

Co-Ed Volleyball is made up of two teams of 4 or 6 players (4v4, 6v6). Each

team must have a minimum of 1 female on the court in order to not forfeit. A
best-of-3 format will be used for all matches. Generally, USVBA rules will be
used with the following additions, exceptions, and clarifications:

B. Teams and Players

All players must be at least 21 years of age prior to participating in any Match
and must be registered and in good standing with Play Mile High (herein: the
“League”).

Rosters must include no fewer than 7 players (4v4) 9 players (6v6) including a
minimum of 1 woman. Each team may have as many players on the roster as
the team chooses with no other restrictions. NOTE: If a team of “free agent”
registrations is assembled by the League, it will have no more than 12 players.

Each team may have up to 4 players (4v4) 6 players (6v6) on the court at one
time.

There may not be more than 2 men on the court at a time (4v4).

There may not be more than 4 men on the court at a time (6v6).

As long as two members of the team are present during the regular season, a
team may use substitute players who are registered and in good standing with
the league to field a full team.

During the playoffs, teams may only use players on their roster.

C. Game Personnel and Their Duties

Teams and players are responsible for calling their own faults during play.
League officials have the authority to eject anyone before, during and
immediately after any match if they feel it is warranted.

All decisions made by league hosts are final.

Game Procedures

A. Game Start, Ending and Timing

The team Captains will use rock-paper-scissors to determine the choice of

serving first or choosing a side for the first game.

Teams will switch sides for the second game and the team who did not serve to
start the first game shall serve to start the second game.

A 45-minute time limit will be placed on all games. If time expires in the middle of
a game, the team with the most points will be declared the winner of that game. If
less than a two-point difference exists between scores the referee or league host
will set a cap and the teams will play to that point.

B. Forfeits

Teams will forfeit the match if they don’t have at least 2 players from their roster
10 minutes past the designated start time.

If you know in advance that your team is going to need to forfeit a game, we
encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. We will do everything that we
can to reschedule your game, but this does not mean that your team will not
receive the loss as a forfeit if we cannot accommodate your needs.

Playoff Eligibility: teams that notch 2 or more forfeits in 1 regular season will not
be eligible for the playoffs.

C. Equipment

A game ball will be provided by Play Mile High. Only balls provided by the
League will be allowed in play.

Players must wear athletic, closed-toe shoes (For Indoor Courts).

Players are strongly encouraged to wear the t-shirts provided by Play Mile High
at all times during League play.

D. Match Format

Matches will be played as a best-of-3 format.

Rec Scoring: Games will be played to 21 points with a cap of 25 points. A team
must win by 2, unless both teams are tied with 25 points. Rally Scoring will be
used.

The third game will be played to 15 points with a cap of 18 points. A team must
win by 2, unless both teams are tied with 18 points. Rally scoring will be used.

Scores should be called out loudly before each serve.

E. Gender Rule

4v4: Minimum of 2 total players on the court with 1 female on the court at all
times.

6v6: Minimum of 3 total players on the court with 1 female on the court at all
times.

F. Substitutions / Rotation

Teams are allowed an unlimited number of substitutions per match.

Team members must rotate on the court and remain in that position until the
serve has been contacted.

The player in the back right-hand corner of the rotation will be designated to
serve and continue to rotate clockwise.

Any player may block or spike at the net, regardless of rotation.

G. Service

Overhand and underhand serves are allowed. Jump serves are not allowed in
social leagues. Players are allowed to jump serve in specified A Division
leagues.

When serving the ball, the player has 5 seconds to make contact with the ball
before a side-out is called.

If the ball is served and hits the net but goes over, it is considered a legal serve.

The serve can be returned with a pass or a set. The serve cannot be blocked or
attacked at any time.

The serve can be made from anywhere behind the end line and within the
sideline.

A server may not step over the end line until the ball has been contacted.
 H. Playing Rules and Faults

A maximum of three consecutive contacts per side after a serve or block attempt
is allowed to return the ball.

A block attempt is not considered a contact.

No player may hit the ball twice in succession, except after a block.

No part of the body may touch the net at anytime unless a ball or person driven
into the net causes the contact.

Player contact with the net in a manner not directly relating to or affecting the
course of play is not a violation.

Contact with hair or part of the uniform will not be considered a fault.

When executing a block or spike, a player may follow through over the net, as
long as the individual does not interfere with players on the other side of the net.

Out of bounds is the area outside the designated court line. The line is IN
bounds.

BASIC SKILLS

1. Blocking

Blocking is a skill of timing, coordination, and verticality. A blocker must

get in front of the impending path of the ball and be high enough to
effectively put the ball back into the opponent’s court.

Blocking is a skill that should be learned over time, with the more
advanced techniques built in as the basic skills are perfected.

Beginners, for example, might spend time only blocking balls that are set
very close to the net. This will allow for some success without the
tendency to reach too far over the net and commit net violations.

From there, multiple blocker schemes can be incorporated.

2. Passing (Returning the Serve)

Depending on your competition, returning a serve can feel a lot like

digging. However, it’s most often known as passing. Perfecting the pass is
vital to any volleyball player and volleyball team’s success. Being a good
 passing team is critical as it will allow your team to get a good offensive
play to side out your opponent.

Ideally, all back-row players will be excellent passers and all players
seeing playing time should be good passers. This will allow for flexibility in
your offense, enabling your team to play any style necessary to win the
set and match.

3. Digging

Another low success percentage skill that requires much experience to

perfect is digging. Digging, like blocking, is a skill that requires both sound
technique and the ability to understand where to be and when to be there.
A skilled digger knows where they should be on the court at any given
time based on the team’s defensive strategies and where the ball is on the
opponent’s side of the net.

While volleyball is often seen as a game of rhythm, there are often

moments of chaos when the ball just ends up where you would least
expect it. A good defensive player is willing to try and dig any ball, even it
seems impossible to get to. Like blocking, the more a player attempts to
dig, the more successful they will become.

4. Serving

Serving is an individual skill. It’s just you and the ball - no one else. If a
volleyball player can’t serve well, they shouldn’t be on the court. And while
serving looks fairly basic at first glance, it’s actually quite detailed and
difficult. The server, along with the coach at times, is responsible for
deciding how to serve and where to serve the ball to against the
opposition.

5. Spiking

The attack is one of the most frequent plays leading to a score in

volleyball. Spiking the volleyball is what generates points, and points are
what generates wins.

6. Setting

If there is any one of the volleyball skills that requires absolute perfection,
it’s setting. The setter takes on the role of a leader during any set or
match. A setter must be absolutely confident in his or her ability to set,
simply because there are so many other things a setter must worry about
 throughout a match like calling plays and being aware of the flow of the
game.

This amount of mental taxing means perfecting the art of setting as a skill
is required.

TERMS

Ace: A serve that is not returned and results in a point.

Assist: Passing or setting the ball to a player who attacks the ball for a point.

Block: A defensive play, where a player deflects a spiked ball back into the
opponent’s court by jumping in front of the ball with their hands above the net.

Campfire: A ball that falls on the floor and is surrounded by two or more players.
The moment it hits the floor it looks like the players are encircling the ball and
starting a campfire.

Cut Shot: An attack with angle, almost parallel to the net.

Dig: Passing a spiked or rapidly hit ball.

Dink: A legal pushing of the ball over the blockers.

Double Hit: When a player makes contact with the ball twice in a row. This is
considered an illegal hit.

Floater: A non-spinning serve, it can sometimes have erratic movement during

flight.

Footfault: When a player steps over the line while serving, which results in a
point for the opposing team.
Jump Serve: A type of serve that is done by tossing the ball into the air, jumping,
and hitting the ball when it is in its downward motion.

Joust: When the ball is falling directly on top of the net, two opposing players will
jump and attempt to push the ball to the other side.

Kill: A successful hit that results in an immediate point.

Let: When a serve hits the top of the net and rolls onto the other side, resulting in
a point.

Line shot: A ball that is spiked right down the opposing sideline

Off-speed hit: A ball that is spiked with less force and has spin.

Power alley: A cross court spike that reaches the furthest end of the court.

Reception error: When a player is unable to return a serve that should have
been returned, and it results in an ace.

Roll shot: An offensive play similar to a spike, but a hitter will make contact
underneath the ball and move their arm upwards instead of swinging down. This
type of shot is meant to go high enough to avoid a block and is typically aimed
around 10 feet away from the net.

Pancake: A type of dig that occurs when a player extends his or her hand flat on
the floor, and lets the ball bounce off the back of his or her hand.

Service error: An unsuccessful serve that occurs by the ball landing out of
bounds, failing to clear the net, or a foot fault from the server.

Shank: A wild and unplayable pass.

 Shot: An offensive play in which a ball is set and directed into an open area on
the court.

Side out: When the serving team loses the rally causing the other team to serve
for the next point.

Spike: When the hitter attacks the ball with a swinging motion. This is in an
attempt to get a kill.

Strong side: Left side of the court for right handed hitters.

Tip: A soft and off-speed attack done with the fingertips.

Weak side: Right side of the court.

EQUIPMENT

Net

Net is one meter long and 9.5 to 10 meter wide. It is tied vertically above the
center line of the court to posts fixed at either sides of the court, at a distance of
one meter from the sidelines. The center of the net should lie 2.43 meter above
the ground for men and 2.24 meter for women. At the sides the net may be
higher by a maximum of 2cm, however it should be tied at the same height at
both the posts.

The court width is marked on the net with a tape and a flexible antennae of one
meter extends from the tape marker on both sides of the net. These markings
help the referee determine when the ball goes outside the court.

Ball

Volley ball a spherical ball of 65-67 cm circumference. It is made of leather or

any synthetic material and weighs 260-280 g.

Volleyballs are available in various colors, however for international tournaments,

FIVB approved balls should only be used.
 Other Equipment

 Ankle Braces
 Arm Sleeves
 Ball Hammock
 Carts
 Court
 Elbow Pads
 Finger Tape
 Floor Tape
 Knee Pads
 Poles
 Scorecards

REFERENCES

https://www.volleyballessentials.com/history-of-volleyball

https://playmilehigh.com/volleyball-rules/

https://volleyballexpert.com/volleyball-skills/

https://www.ussportscamps.com/tips/volleyball/parents-guide-basic-volleyball-
terminology

https://www.rookieroad.com/volleyball/equipment-list/