Rules and Regulation
The Court
A volleyball court is 18 m (59 ft) long and 9 m (29.5 ft) wide, divided into 9 m × 9 m halves by a one-meter (40-inch) wide net. The top of the net is 2.43 m (7 ft 11 5/8 in) above the center of the court for men's competition, and 2.24 m (7 ft 4 1/8 in) for women's competition, varied for veterans and junior competitions. A line 3 m (9.84 ft) from and parallel to the net is considered the "attack line". This "3 meter" (or "10 foot") line divides the court into "back row" and "front row" areas (also back court and front court). These are in turn divided into 3 areas each: these are numbered as follows, starting from area "1", which is the position of the serving player:
After a team gains the serve (also known as siding out), its members must rotate in a clockwise direction, with the player previously in area "2" moving to area "1" and so on, with the player from area "1" moving to area "6". The team courts are surrounded by an area called the free zone which is a minimum of 3 meters wide and which the players may enter and play within after the service of the ball.[16]All lines denoting the boundaries of the team court and the attack zone are drawn or painted within the dimensions of the area and are therefore a part of the court or zone. If a ball comes in contact with the line, the ball is considered to be "in". An antenna is placed on each side of the net perpendicular to the sideline and is a vertical extension of the side boundary of the court. A ball passing over the net must pass completely between the antennae (or their theoretical extensions to the ceiling) without contacting them.
The Ball
FIVB regulations state that the ball must be spherical, made of leather or synthetic leather, have a circumference of 65–67 cm, a weight of 260–280 g and an inside pressure of 0.30–0.325 kg/cm2. Other governing bodies have similar regulations.
Game Play
Buddhist monks play volleyball in the Himalayan state of Sikkim, India.
Each team consists of six players. To get play started, a team is chosen to serve by coin toss. A player from the serving team throws the ball into the air and attempts to hit the ball so it passes over the net on a course such that it will land in the opposing team's court (the serve). The opposing team must use a combination of no more than three contacts with the volleyball to return the ball to the opponent's side of the net. These contacts usually consist first of the bump or pass so that the ball's trajectory is aimed towards the player designated as the setter; second of the set (usually an over-hand pass using wrists to push finger-tips at the ball) by the setter so that the ball's trajectory is aimed towards a spot where one of the players designated as an attacker can hit it, and third by the attacker who spikes (jumping, raising one arm above the head and hitting the ball so it will move quickly down to the ground on the opponent's court) to return the ball over the net. The team with possession of the ball that is trying to attack the ball as described is said to be on offense. The team on defense attempts to prevent the attacker from directing the ball into their court: players at the net jump and reach above the top (and if possible, across the plane) of the net to block the attacked ball. If the ball is hit around, above, or through the block, the defensive players arranged in the rest of the court attempt to control the ball with a dig (usually a fore-arm pass of a hard-driven ball). After a successful dig, the team transitions to offense. The game continues in this manner, rallying back and forth, until the ball touches the court within the boundaries or until an error is made. The most frequent errors that are made are either to fail to return the ball over the net within the allowed three touches, or to cause the ball to land outside the court. A ball is "in" if any part of it touches a sideline or end-line, and a strong spike may compress the ball enough when it lands that a ball which at first appears to be going out may actually be in. Players may travel well outside the court to play a ball that has gone over a sideline or end-line in the air. Other common errors include a player touching the ball twice in succession, a player "catching" the ball, a player touching the net while attempting to play the ball, or a player penetrating under the net into the opponent's court. There are a large number of other errors specified in the rules, although most of them are infrequent occurrences. These errors include back-row or libero players spiking the ball or blocking (back-row players may spike the ball if they jump from behind the attack line), players not being in the correct position when the ball is served, attacking the serve in the front court and above the height of the net, using another player as a source of support to reach the ball, stepping over the back boundary line when serving, taking more than 8 seconds to serve, or playing the ball when it is above the opponent's court.
Scoring
When the ball contacts the floor within the court boundaries or an error is made, the team that did not make the error is awarded a point, whether they served the ball or not. If the ball hits the line, the ball is counted as in. The team that won the point serves for the next point. If the team that won the point served in the previous point, the same player serves again. If the team that won the point did not serve the previous point, the players of the team rotate their position on the court in a clockwise manner. The game continues, with the first team to score 25 points by a two-point margin is awarded the set. Matches are best-of-five sets and the fifth set, if necessary, is usually played to 15 points. Before 1999, points could be scored only when a team had the serve (side-out scoring) and all sets went up to only 15 points. The FIVB changed the rules in 1999 (with the changes being compulsory in 2000) to use the current scoring system (formerly known as rally point system), primarily to make the length of the match more predictable and to make the game. • Teams can only score points when they’re serving. • Eleven (11) love (0) marks the end of a game regardless of whether it is a game of sixteen (16) or twenty-one (21) points. Full 16 or 21 points will be awarded to the winning team. • In a game of sixteen (16) points, when a team reaches fifteen (15) points, the referee must announce a call of “GAME POINT”. In a game of twenty-one (21) points, the same must be done when a team reaches twenty (20) points. • In the event of a fifteen all or twenty all score, a team must then win with a clean 2 points. Should the official time run out and only one point is scored, the team with that point will be the winner and in the event of no score, the serving team will be the winner.
Libero
In 1998 the libero player was introduced internationally. The libero is a player specialized in defensive skills: the libero must wear a contrasting jersey color from his or her team mates and cannot block or attack the ball when it is entirely above net height. When the ball is not in play, the libero can replace any back-row player, without prior notice to the officials. This replacement does not count against the substitution limit each team is allowed per set, although the libero may be replaced only by the player whom he or she replaced. The libero may function as a setter only under certain restrictions. If she/he makes an overhand set, she/he must be standing behind (and not stepping on) the 3-meter line; otherwise, the ball cannot be attacked above the net in front of the 3-meter line. An underhand pass is allowed from any part of the court. The libero is, generally, the most skilled defensive player on the team. There is also a libero tracking sheet, where the referees or officiating team must keep track of whom the libero subs in and out for. There may only be one libero per set (game), although there may be a different libero in the beginning of any new set (game). Furthermore, a libero is not allowed to serve, according to international rules, with the exception of the NCAA women's volleyball games, where a 2004 rule change allows the libero to serve, but only in a specific rotation. That is, the libero can only serve for one person, not for all of the people for whom she goes in. That rule change was also applied to high school and junior high play soon after.
Service
• Service is only served under-hand.
• Service must be served from the designated box marked on each side of the court. (At least one (1) foot must be touching the designated box boundary for the service to be legal.)
• The serviceman can only enter the court after the ball has crossed the net.
• Service touching the net is considered foul and the other team are rewarded the service.
• Service landing on the line is considered “in”.
• During service, the ball must be tossed up in the air before the server strikes the ball.
• Server must wait for the referee’s whistle before serving. Serve must take place within five (5) seconds after the referee’s whistle.
• Return of service that touches the net is considered in play.
• Screening the server is allowed.
• Service must be served from the designated box marked on each side of the court. (At least one (1) foot must be touching the designated box boundary for the service to be legal.)
• The serviceman can only enter the court after the ball has crossed the net.
• Service touching the net is considered foul and the other team are rewarded the service.
• Service landing on the line is considered “in”.
• During service, the ball must be tossed up in the air before the server strikes the ball.
• Server must wait for the referee’s whistle before serving. Serve must take place within five (5) seconds after the referee’s whistle.
• Return of service that touches the net is considered in play.
• Screening the server is allowed.
Hitting
• Hands must be closed at all times.
• Spiking allowed on first (1st) ball only.
• No spiking on the second (2nd) and third (3rd) ball.
• No bump / set / spike
• Three (3) touch hits
1. First (1st) ball touches the net; or ball touches the net when hit by the opposite team, or ball comes into the ground near the net.
2. Second (2nd) ball is lifted from the net by the NETTY only. Any other player who lifts off the net MUST put it across to the other side.
3. Third (3rd) ball is hit over the net.
4. In the event that the NETTY has lifted the first ball because it either touched the net on the way in or it was close to the net but did not touch it, this will be considered the 2nd touch and only 1 more hit will be allowed following that.
• Spiking allowed on first (1st) ball only.
• No spiking on the second (2nd) and third (3rd) ball.
• No bump / set / spike
• Three (3) touch hits
1. First (1st) ball touches the net; or ball touches the net when hit by the opposite team, or ball comes into the ground near the net.
2. Second (2nd) ball is lifted from the net by the NETTY only. Any other player who lifts off the net MUST put it across to the other side.
3. Third (3rd) ball is hit over the net.
4. In the event that the NETTY has lifted the first ball because it either touched the net on the way in or it was close to the net but did not touch it, this will be considered the 2nd touch and only 1 more hit will be allowed following that.
Digging
• From the net and during play:
• Two (2) hand digging allowed;
• One (1) hand palm down allowed.
• Digging on service is allowed.
• Two (2) hand digging allowed;
• One (1) hand palm down allowed.
• Digging on service is allowed.
Time-outs & Injury
• Each team will have two (2) time outs per game. Time outs not used in a game are forfeited;
• Each time out is for 30 seconds.
• Teams can request a time out regardless who is serving;
• Time outs cannot be called once the referee has blown his whistle for service;
• Time outs can only be called on dead ball.
• In order to avoid tactics of using the time-outs to keep a lead towards the end of a game, time-outs can only be taken in the first 10 minutes of a 15-minute game and the first 15 minutes of a 20-minute game. In other words, no time-outs will be allowed in the last 5 minutes of any games.
• The clock will NOT be stopped during time outs.
• Injury time out will be limited to 1 minute and should the player not be ready to resume play, he must leave the game and the rest of the team would have to continue playing without him.
• That 1-minute will be the only time when the clock will be stopped.
• A player who has left the game due to injury may not re-enter the same game.
• Even in the event of an injury, a player who arrived after the scheduled start time will not be eligible to play in that game.
• Each time out is for 30 seconds.
• Teams can request a time out regardless who is serving;
• Time outs cannot be called once the referee has blown his whistle for service;
• Time outs can only be called on dead ball.
• In order to avoid tactics of using the time-outs to keep a lead towards the end of a game, time-outs can only be taken in the first 10 minutes of a 15-minute game and the first 15 minutes of a 20-minute game. In other words, no time-outs will be allowed in the last 5 minutes of any games.
• The clock will NOT be stopped during time outs.
• Injury time out will be limited to 1 minute and should the player not be ready to resume play, he must leave the game and the rest of the team would have to continue playing without him.
• That 1-minute will be the only time when the clock will be stopped.
• A player who has left the game due to injury may not re-enter the same game.
• Even in the event of an injury, a player who arrived after the scheduled start time will not be eligible to play in that game.
Fouls
• No punching of the ball is allowed at any time.
• If the ball touches the poles during a play, it is considered out.
• If a player touches the net whilst the ball is in play, it is considered as a foul.
• If the ball touches any part of the player’s body apart from the hand/wrist, it is considered as foul.
• Players are not allowed to cross their feet, hand or any other part of their body across the middle line.
• Balls landing outside the perimeter are considered out:
• For a ball to be considered out, the ball must land without any player touching it.
• A ball must cross over the net area between the posts to the opposite side to be considered in.
• If the ball touches the poles during a play, it is considered out.
• If a player touches the net whilst the ball is in play, it is considered as a foul.
• If the ball touches any part of the player’s body apart from the hand/wrist, it is considered as foul.
• Players are not allowed to cross their feet, hand or any other part of their body across the middle line.
• Balls landing outside the perimeter are considered out:
• For a ball to be considered out, the ball must land without any player touching it.
• A ball must cross over the net area between the posts to the opposite side to be considered in.
Referree
1. Games can only be stopped with the referee’s approval for any disputes. If a game does not resume at the referee’s whistle, the serving team would lose their serve or point depending on who is holding up the match.
2. Referee’s decision is FINAL. The committee will only be referred to should the referee request their assistance.
3. Only Captains will be allowed to raise an issue with the referee but as time is limited, any grievances will not be allowed to carry on for too long and at the referee’s whistle, the games must resume.
4. Please keep a copy of the game schedule handy as all teams will be allocated games to referee and they will be responsible to get that match started on time.
5. 1 referee, 2 linesmen and a scorer will be required each time a team has to referee a match.
2. Referee’s decision is FINAL. The committee will only be referred to should the referee request their assistance.
3. Only Captains will be allowed to raise an issue with the referee but as time is limited, any grievances will not be allowed to carry on for too long and at the referee’s whistle, the games must resume.
4. Please keep a copy of the game schedule handy as all teams will be allocated games to referee and they will be responsible to get that match started on time.
5. 1 referee, 2 linesmen and a scorer will be required each time a team has to referee a match.
Match Structure
Round 1: All matches will be best of 2 games, 16 points per game. The time limit for these games is set at 15 minutes per game.
Round 2: The Top 3 teams from each group will move on to the 2nd round. These 12 teams will be put into 4 groups of 3 teams each. All matches will be best of 1 game of 16 points with a 15 minute time limit.
The draw for the 2nd round will be done off a hat. All Captains must be on the ground for the draw. As time is limited, we will not wait for those Captains who are not present. The draws will carry on with whoever is present. The time limit will be 15 minutes and the same time-out rule will apply whereby they will only be allowed in the first 10 minutes of the game.
The Semi final round will be played between the 4 winning teams (i.e. the top team from each group). The draws will again be off a hat and not criss-crossed. Best of 2 matches of 16 points, time limit of 15 minutes and time out rules will still apply. The final match format will be announced on the day between the 2 winning teams. This will depend on the amount of time left to finish the tournament.
Subtitutions
There are a set number of substitutions allotted per game (the specific amount differs according to league and/or level of play). A player may substitute into the game only during dead ball situations. To enter the game, a coach or player must request a substitution from the official, after which the substitute must enter the substitution zone and wait for the referee’s approval.
Principles of the Game
Knowing and understanding the basic tenets of volleyball can be helpful for volleyball newbies and veterans alike. That being said, here is an outline of fundamental rules of the game:
Don’t Let the Ball Hit the Floor on Your Side of the Net
The primary objective in volleyball is make the ball hit the floor on the opponent’s side of the court, while simultaneously preventing it from dropping on your side. Volleyball players go to great lengths to keep the ball from hitting the court—and they have the scrapes and bruises to prove it.
Three Contacts/Hits per Side
Each team is allowed a maximum of three contacts before it must send the ball back over the net. The preferred sequence is a dig (an underarm pass made with the forearms), followed by a set (an overhead pass with the hands), and then an attack (over head one-handed hit directed over the net and towards the opponent).
Teams are also permitted to block the ball as it comes over the net. The resulting contact does not count towards the three contacts per side. In theory, this means that a team could technically contact the ball four times (with the first contact being a block) without penalty.
Players Must Rotate Clockwise
In volleyball, six players rotate clockwise through six different positions on their side of the net. There are three front row positions (left front, middle front, and right front) and three back row positions (left back, middle back, and right back). Teams rotate with each new server, and no person can serve more than once in succession.
No Player Can Hit the Ball Twice in Succession
The rules state that no player is allowed to hit the ball multiple times in row. While this principle appears to be straightforward, it can get a little confusing: If the double contact occurs on a team’s initial hit it is a legal play. However, the double becomes illegal if a player makes two separate attempts to hit the ball. In other words, you may “double the ball” (volleyball slang for hitting the ball twice) as long as it is on your team’s first contact and you made a single motion to contact the ball.
A Player May Not Cause the Ball to Come to a Rest During Contact
Volleyball can be categorized as a “rebound” sport because the rules prevent participants from contacting the ball for a prolonged amount of time. Players are not allowed to carry, palm or throw the ball.
The Net is Off-Limits
No part of a player’s body or uniform is allowed to touch the net, but, participants are permitted to play the ball out of the net during a volley and a serve.
Don’t Let the Ball Hit the Floor on Your Side of the Net
The primary objective in volleyball is make the ball hit the floor on the opponent’s side of the court, while simultaneously preventing it from dropping on your side. Volleyball players go to great lengths to keep the ball from hitting the court—and they have the scrapes and bruises to prove it.
Three Contacts/Hits per Side
Each team is allowed a maximum of three contacts before it must send the ball back over the net. The preferred sequence is a dig (an underarm pass made with the forearms), followed by a set (an overhead pass with the hands), and then an attack (over head one-handed hit directed over the net and towards the opponent).
Teams are also permitted to block the ball as it comes over the net. The resulting contact does not count towards the three contacts per side. In theory, this means that a team could technically contact the ball four times (with the first contact being a block) without penalty.
Players Must Rotate Clockwise
In volleyball, six players rotate clockwise through six different positions on their side of the net. There are three front row positions (left front, middle front, and right front) and three back row positions (left back, middle back, and right back). Teams rotate with each new server, and no person can serve more than once in succession.
No Player Can Hit the Ball Twice in Succession
The rules state that no player is allowed to hit the ball multiple times in row. While this principle appears to be straightforward, it can get a little confusing: If the double contact occurs on a team’s initial hit it is a legal play. However, the double becomes illegal if a player makes two separate attempts to hit the ball. In other words, you may “double the ball” (volleyball slang for hitting the ball twice) as long as it is on your team’s first contact and you made a single motion to contact the ball.
A Player May Not Cause the Ball to Come to a Rest During Contact
Volleyball can be categorized as a “rebound” sport because the rules prevent participants from contacting the ball for a prolonged amount of time. Players are not allowed to carry, palm or throw the ball.
The Net is Off-Limits
No part of a player’s body or uniform is allowed to touch the net, but, participants are permitted to play the ball out of the net during a volley and a serve.