BORJA, Gwyneth B.

PS22KA1
Monday |3:30 – 5:30PM

1. History of Volleyball

Who invented it?

Volleyball was invented by William G. Morgan, a physical education director at the Young Man’s
Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Morgan was born in 1870 at Lockport, New
York where he spent his childhood years attending a public school while at the same time working at his
father’s boat yard on the banks of the Old Erie Canal. Morgan entered Mt. Hermon Preparatory School
in Northfield, Massachusetts at 1891, and there he developed his friendship with James Naismith, who
later on invented basketball. Morgan was encouraged by Naismith to continue his education at the
International Young Men’s Christian Association Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, for the
reason that Naismith was impressed by young Morgan’s athletic skills. Under the leadership of Alonzo A.
Stagg, one of the “Grand Old Men of Football”, Morgan participated on the college’s famous football team
and played for championship. After his graduation at year 1894, he accepted the position of physical
director of the Auburn, Maine YMCA. Later that year, he accepted a same position in Holyoke,
Massachusetts where in there the story of Volleyball began.

How the game was invented?

Despite the newly created game of basketball being popular to kids, it was proving to be too active
for the local businessmen. This becomes a problem for physical director Morgan, so he needed an
alternative where those older gentlemen could play without too much “bumping” or “jolting”. But at the
same time, it needs to be physical-playing game that they can play after their work and lunch time to
provide exercise but in a more relaxing way. He wanted a sport that has “strong athletic impulse, but no
physical contact”. So, he combined the ideas of basketball, tennis, handball, and baseball. He took the
ball in the basketball, the net in tennis, the use of hands in the handball, and lastly the concept of innings
in the baseball. The new game was named “Mintonette” but later changed into “Volley Ball” by Dr. Alfred
Halstead, a professor at Springfield.

However, the game before was quite different from the present. It was played on a smaller 25'x50'
court, with an unlimited number of players hitting the ball an unlimited number of times, on either side of
a 6'6" high net. Each game was broken up into nine innings, each inning made up of three outs, or
"serves". These serves could be helped over the net by a second player, if the server didn't quite reach
the net. And since what they’re using is a basketball, it proved to be little too heavy thus, Morgan remedied
this by contacting A.G. Spalding, a local sporting goods manufacturer who designed a special ball - a
rubber bladder, encased in leather, 25" or so in circumference, thus the “volleyball”.

How it became famous?

The game was adopted in all the societies throughout the United States, Canada, the first foreign
country to adopt the game at 1900. The physical directors of the YMCA were encouraged particularly by
two professional schools of physical education, Springfield College in Massachusetts and George
Williams College in Chicago. Volleyball became known in many other countries like, Elwood S. Brown in
the Philippines (1910), J. Howard Crocker in China, Franklin H. Brown in Japan (1908), Dr. J.H. Gray in
Burma, in China and in India, and others in Mexico and South American, European and African countries.
Below is a simple timeline of the significant events of Volleyball:

YEAR EVENT
1900 The special ball was designed for the sport.
1916 An offensive style of passing the ball in high trajectory to be struck by another player (the
set and spike) were introduced in the Philippines.

1917 The game was changed from 21 to 15 points.

1920 The three hits per side and back row attack rules were instituted.
1922 The first YMCA National championships were held in Brooklyn, NY. Twenty-seven teams
from 11 states were represented.

1928 It became clear that tournaments and rules were needed, so 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
1930 The first two-man beach game was played.
1934 National volleyball referees were approved and recognized.
1937 At the AAU convention in Boston, action was taken to recognize the U.S. Volleyball
Association as the official national governing body in the U.S.

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.
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).
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
1986 The Women’s Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) was formed.
1990 The World League was created.
1995 The sport of Volleyball was 100 years old
1996 The two-person beach volleyball became an Olympic sport.

The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB)

For the past decades, Volleyball has witnessed unprecedented growth with the success of the
world competitions. Volleyball is now one of the big five international sports, and the FIVB, with its 220
affiliated national federations, is the largest international sporting federation in the world. It was successful
on world championships like the FIVB World Championships, the FIVB World League, the FIVB World
Grand Prix, the FIVB World Cup, and the FIVB Grand Champions Cup as well as the Olympic Games,
the level of participation at all levels internationally continues to grow exponentially. In the same way, the
beach volleyball phenomenon continues to amaze. The overwhelming spectator and television success
of Beach Volleyball since its introduction to the Olympic Games at Atlanta 1996 and the stunning success
of the FIVB Swatch World Tour and World Championships has opened up volleyball to a completely new
market.

2. Basic Skills
In playing Volleyball, it is important for the player master a complex skill set since the game
requires you to rotate from playing front line positions to back line positions. Given that the player
constantly is shifting from setting up offensive plays to completing offensive plays, they must also must
shift quickly from offense to defense. Therefore, the player must be prepared to execute different skills.
Here are some of the fundamental skills in Volleyball;

Serving

In serving, a properly executed serve provides the serving team with a significant advantage over
the receiving team. A serve that is properly placed can cause players on the receiving team to get out
of position or attempt awkward returns. The server must stand behind the service line at the end of
the court. There are three serving styles in volleyball. The underhand serve, the overhand serve and
the jump serve. The underhand serve generally is a relatively slow serve that travels high in the air
toward the rear of the court. Both the overhand serve and the jump serve are fast serves frequently
struck with top spin.
Setting
The proper execution of setting is placed close and above the net. Setting, or overhead passing,
typically is the second shot in a three-shot sequence. You want to place the ball about four feet from
the net so on the third shot, typically a spike, your teammate won't hit the net on her follow through.
Passing
This skill is also is known as "bumping" in an offensive sequence and "digging" when used to
defend an offensive shot. Passing is executed by interlocking your fingers, holding your arms straight
and away from your body. Make contact with the ball on your forearms and follow through to your
target. The only allowable service return is a pass, so it is frequently the first shot in a three-shot
sequence.
Hitting
In most games, players would typically want to hit the ball with the greatest force possible on the
third shot of a sequence. When the ball is struck forcefully downward, above the height of the net, it is
referred to as a "spike" or "kill" shot. One way to execute a kill shot, a player may use either a two- or
three-step approach. Strike the ball at the top of your vertical leap, using the heel of your palm, followed
by wrapping your hand on the ball with your fingers and snapping your wrist.
Blocking
After the offensive, it is also important to know the defensive side of Volleyball and that is through
blocking that is made close to the net. The object of a block is to deflect an offensive shot directly back
toward your opponent. Block attempts can be made by individual players or pairs of players. Blocking
is not allowed on serves. Blocks often are utilized as a defense against "kill" shots.

Digging/Diving

This is just an additional but also necessary skill that must be learned in Volleyball. This is
basically diving to the floor in an all-out attempt to keep the ball from touching the floor. And there is
a technique to land that minimizes the amount of impact on your body. As much as possible, the
player must avoid all parts of his body hitting the floor simultaneously, as this causes the most amount
of impact. Diving is probably one of the hardest skills to learn in volleyball, because it can hurt a lot.
3. Volleyball proper position
In playing volleyball, there are both playing position for your team and a proper rotational position.
First, let us identify the different playing positions of the players in their team. Then later the six
rotational positions in court.

Volleyball positions in a team:

1. Outside hitter (also called wing spiker, left side)
2. Right side hitter (wing spiker, right side)
3. Opposite Hitter (attacker)
4. Setter
5. Middle Blocker (center, middle hitter)
6. Libero
7. Defensive Specialist

Outside Hitter (also called wing spiker, left side)

This player is the one who carries the serve receive responsibility along with the libero. Outside hitter
most often attacks the balls which setter sets to the antenna to the left side of the court. Therefore, after
the serve outside hitters place themselves to the left front position. Sometimes setters run offensive plays
in which outside hitters run to hit balls “inside” around the middle blockers. They play both the front row
and the back row and in modern high-level volleyball, outside hitters are also responsible for hitting the
3 meter or 10 feet line attacks, usually from the middle back position when playing in the back row.

If you are to play on the outside hitter’s position, this requires great all-around skills because they
play through the front row and the back row. Wing spikers have to have the skills to pass, attack, block,
serve and play defense, and along with the opposites are often players who score the most points in the
game. Thus, the outside hitter’s passing responsibility makes them extremely important player for the
team.

Right side hitter (also called wing spiker)

There are some similarities between the right-side hitter and outside hitter for they both play front row
and back row and are carrying pass, attack, block, serve and defense responsibilities. Right side hitters
aim to place themselves to the right front playing position. When playing top level international volleyball
on the back court right side hitters often have 3 meter or 10 feet attack responsibility from the middle
back position. Right side hitter can be also called a wing spiker.
Opposite Hitter

This is player that most often scores the most in the team. This player does not have the passing
responsibilities and they can stand behind the passers on the rotation while libero and outside hitters
pass the ball and place themselves to the left front, right front or right back playing position. The opposite
usually gets the most sets in the game. Often counter attack sets after the defensive play go to the
opposite hitters - they carry the responsibility of hitting the ball against a solid block when the pass is off
the net. Opposites need to have great blocking skills since they play against the opposite hitter of the
opponent or opponent's outside hitter when in the front row.

They also need to have defensive skills because they also play the back row where they are
responsible of hitting 3 meter or 10 feet balls from the right back position. In professional volleyball
opposites along with setters have traditionally been the highest paid individuals - those are volleyball
positions in most demand.

Setter

Some of the vital roles of setter are being the playmaker, point guard or the quarterback of the
volleyball team. Its responsibility is to run the team’s offense and build up offensive scoring opportunities
for the team. The setter plays both front row and back row, therefore s/he needs to be able to block, serve
and play defense. This player must have good blocking skills because in front row position s/he plays
against the opponent’s outside hitter who often carries big load of the attacking responsibility for the team.
The setter plays the right front or the right back position.

Middle Blocker (Center, Middle, Middle Hitter)

This position has the main responsibility to stop the opponent’s offense. The middle blocker builds a
block which stops the ball, or allows the team to dig the ball up. Middle blockers' job is to stop the
opponent’s middle hitters or wing hitters in co-operation with teammates. Middle blockers need to have
great blocking, attacking and serving skills. In competitive volleyball, middle blockers usually play defense
only on one rotation - after an own serve. After losing the rally after an own serving turn, a libero usually
comes in and replaces the middle blocker.

The middle blocker usually doesn’t master in defense because they hardly play any of it. However,
at junior level, practicing defense and even passing is very recommended for the middles. Junior coaches
should allow players to practice all the skills equally to ensure their overall skill development. This
improves their athleticism and prepares players to play other positions - i.e. they may not be tall enough
to play middle in the future.
Libero

The last and also somehow new position in Volleyball is the libero. This player is a back-row specialist
who is allowed to play back court only. Usually, the libero wears a different color shirt in the team and is
allowed to enter and exit the game without substitution request. The libero can replace any player on the
court and most often replaces middle blockers. And in some game, the libero is not allowed to serve the
ball. And since, they are playing in the back court only, the libero needs to have the best passing and
defensive skills in the team. It must have an exceptional serve receive skills because often they pass a
larger area than other serve receivers in the team.
Defensive Specialist Most leagues in United States allow unlimited substitutions; therefore very often
in the team there are defensive specialists. Defensive specialists in US enter the game to replace players
who in international volleyball would be playing both the front and the back row. Defensive specialists
carry a serve receive and defense responsibility in the back row. Defensive specialists are allowed to
serve and often play the full back row rotation before giving the spot in the front row to the offensive
player again.

On the other hand, there are also 6 positions of volleyball in 5-1 Volleyball Rotation;

Right Back Position (Position 1, Right Back, "Zone 1")

"Right back" is the position in the defensive zone (or back row) on the right side of the court (when
looking at the court behind the back line). This position can be called "right back", position 1, P1, zone
1", "Z1". Setter usually starts the game on the right back position. Setter starts from the right back
because it allows having three front row attackers more often. Opposite (the player opposite of setter) is
the other player who plays "zone 1", it allows opposite to perform 3 meter or 10 feet attack from the right
side of the court while the setter is playing right front position (position 2).

Middle Back Position (Position 6, Middle Back, "Zone 6")

"Middle back" is the position in the defensive zone (or back row) on the middle of the court. This
position can be called "middle back", position 6, P6, "zone 6:", "Z1:". The middle blocker usually starts
the game in the line-up on the middle back position, but is generally speaking replaced by the libero, a
back-row specialist before the first serve. In competitive volleyball, liberos rarely play on this position on
the rallies, but are changed to left back position after the serve when appropriate. Outside hitter or right-
side hitter usually plays in the middle back position because it allow them to hit the ball from zone 6.
Left Back Position (Position 5, Left Back, "Zone 5")

"Left back" is the position in the defensive zone (or back row) on the left side of the court. This
position can be called "left back", position 5, P5, "zone 5", "Z1". Most often the libero plays position 5, or
alternatively the middle blocker on one rotation after his/her own serve. After the serve libero usually
substitutes in for the middle blocker.

5- 1 Volleyball Rotation - setter front row

Left Front Position (Position 4, Left Front, "Zone 4" )

"Left front" is the position in the attack zone (or front row) on the left side of the court. This position
can be called "left back", position 4, P4, "zone 4" , "Z4" .Most often the outside hitter, or in some rotations
the opposite hitter or right side hitter plays in this position. Sometimes teams may change positions by
placing a weaker blocker in this position when they are having the serve. (Often a short setter is moved
away from blocking the opponent's outside hitter and placed on this position.)

Middle Front Position (Position 3, Middle Front," Zone 3" )

"Middle front" is the position in the attack zone (or front row) on the middle of the court. This
position can be called "middle front", position 3, P3, "zone 3" , "Z3" . The middle hitter plays in this position
in all the rotations. The basic starting serve receive line up when the setter is in the middle front position
in 5-1 rotation.

Right Front Position (Position 2, Right Front, "Zone 2" )

"Right front" is the position in the attack zone (or front row) on the middle of the court. This position
can be called "right front", position 2, P2, "zone 3" , "Z3". The right side hitter, opposite hitter or setter
plays in position 2.

4. Rules and regulations.

Here are some of the general description of Volleyball Rules & Regulations:
a) In the game, there are two teams of 6 players each (with substitutes) play the sport of volleyball, on
a court that is divided by a net.
b) The objective of the sport is to hit an inflated ball (the volleyball) over the net, such that the opposing
team cannot return the ball either because the ball has been “grounded” (i.e. the volleyball has
touched the court surface within the defined boundaries of the opposing team’s court), or the
ball is returned back over the net but lands outside of the defined boundaries of the opponent’s
court.
 c) Each team has a maximum of 3 hits to get the ball over the net to the opponent’s side of the court
within the boundaries.
d) The play begins with one team serving the ball over the net to the other team, which in turn has the
three hits allowed to get the ball back over the net to the serving team’s side.
e) Each team continues to attempt to ground the ball (or make it otherwise non-returnable) in the
opposing team’s court. This process is called a “rally” – once a team wins a rally, they are awarded
a point.
f) If the serving team wins the rally, it maintains the serve. If the team receiving the serve wins the
rally, they are awarded the point, gain the right to serve, and the team’s players rotate one position
to the left (or clockwise).

Now, for the specific rules, there are set of common rules no matter what age and competition level at
which you play, but in some instances there are slight differences in rules between middle and high
school, university, and national / international levels of play.

Playing Area

In the vast majority of cases, indoor volleyball is played in a multi-purpose gymnasium either at a
school or university, and the court lines are superimposed on the floor along with basketball, badminton,
handball, and so forth. In national and world-level competition, the court surface is usually dedicated only
to the sport of volleyball.

Court

No matter the venue, the court dimensions are as follows:

Free Zone Dimensions

The free zone is the area surrounding the court itself, in which the ball can be played. It varies
slightly for school age, university, and international FIVB. The main goal of the free zone is to provide
 a safe area for players to play the ball – stands for spectators, equipment and so forth should not be
in this area except for the volleyball net stands, the referee stand, etc.
Variations
 High school and University: at least 2 meters, 3 meters is preferable.
 National / FIVB: minimum 3 meters, with a minimum of 5 m from the side lines and
6.5 m from the end lines for world and official tournaments.
Net Height - The official heights for the nets vary for men and women, but of course you want to have
success early on for beginner players so by all means feel free to adjust the net height.
For ages 15 and above, the heights are:
 Men – 2.43 meters
 Women – 2.24 meters
Below age 15, you can use:
 Boys and Girls ages 13-14 – 2.24 meters
 Boys and Girls ages 11-12 – 2.13 meters
 Boys and Girls ages 10 and under – 1.98 meters

Number of Players

In general, teams must have at least 6 players to start the match, and at least 6 eligible players
(substitution players, or “subs”) to play the match. There are 6 players on court for each team during
the match. In FIVB rules, a team may have up to 14 players in total.

Serving Rules

The Actual Serve

The server must toss (i.e. release the ball), and then must contact the ball behind the end line in the
service area located behind Zone 1 (usually a 3 meter wide area). Neither foot may touch the line during
the contact. In the case of a jump serve, the jump takeoff must be behind the line as well.

No Screening Allowed - The players on the serving team must not arrange themselves on the court in
such a way as to block the view of the server or the ball, nor wave their hands or make other distracting
movements.

Variations: There are some minor volleyball rule differences regarding the toss before the serve.
In FIVB, university and high school matches, the server must hit the ball within 8 seconds after the referee
whistles for service, and only one toss is allowed. For players under age 14 (i.e. middle school), the time
is 5 seconds from the whistle, but the server may have a second toss if the first one was not effective,
and lands without touching the server.

Player Service Rotation and Positioning Rules

Each team has 6 players on the court at any one time. At the start of the game, or “set”, each team’s
coach arranges his / her players in the zones of the court. This arrangement dictates the rotational order
of the team when they are awarded the serve (either at the beginning of a set, or after a “side-out” in
which the team who served the ball to start a rally loses the point).

It is critical to note that when a team is serving, the players of each team must be in their zones. After
the service hit, the players may move around and occupy any position on their court and the free zone.
If the serving team wins the rally and maintains the serve, the players on each team MUST go back to
their original zones for the service (then are able to move again). This order must be maintained
throughout the set. If there is a side-out, and the opposing team is awarded the serve, that team
rotates one position clockwise as shown in the above diagram (i.e. the zone 2 player moves to zone 1
and serves, the zone 1 player moves to zone 6, the zone 6 moves to zone 5, and so on).

Flexibility Within Zones for Positioning

It is important to note that while the zones have a definite area, there is flexibility within the areas
regarding players locating themselves within their specific zone – to a certain extent. This helps with
maximizing defensive talents, having players be closer to their offensive skill positions, and so on. With
that said, players MUST follow these positional rules:

1. Each back-row player must be positioned further back from the centerline than the
corresponding front-row player.
2. The front-row players and the back-row players, respectively, must be positioned laterally in
the order indicated in the diagram.
3. The positions of players are determined and controlled according to the positions of their
feet contacting the ground as follows:
 Each front-row player must have at least a part of his/her foot closer to the center line
than the feet of the corresponding back-row player.
 Each right or left side player must have at least a part of his/her foot closer to the right or
left side line than the feet of the center player in that row.
Scoring Rules – Points, Sets, And Matches
Points
A single point is scored by a team when:
1. That team successfully grounds the ball on the opponent’s court, within the defined
space including when any part of the ball touches any of the side or end lines (in other
words, the lines are considered “in”).
2. When the opponent team commits a fault (i.e. an action going against the rules).
3. When the opponent team receives a penalty.
If the serving team wins a rally, it scores a point and continues to serve. If the team receiving the serve
wins a rally as defined within the above three sub-points, that team scores a point and it gets to serve
next (also called a “side-out”).

Sets & Matches

A “set” is a single game of volleyball, and a “match” is a certain number of sets played to determine
the overall winner of the play between two teams.
1. A set is played to 25 points, with points being awarded from each rally (also called a rally-
point system). Teams must win by two points to win the set; in the case of a tie at 24 points
each, for example, a team would have to win 26-24.
2. A match is a maximum of 5 sets, with a team being declared winner of the match if it wins 3
sets (i.e. a team may win 3-0, 3-1, or 3-2).
3. In the case of a 5th set when the match is tied at 2 sets each, the final set is played to 15
points rather than 25, with the win by 2 points rule remaining in effect.
Variations: According to volleyball rules, high school and middle school teams will often play in a
three-team round robin format, especially if there are many teams in a league and court / gym venues
are limited in the area. In this case, two teams play while the third team watches (or perhaps is in
another area practicing). There is some leeway in the rules to play such that a match of 3 sets may be
played, with all sets to 25 points. In a university round robin format as described above, the choices
are best 3 of 5 sets, or best 2 of 3 sets (with the sets going to 25 points, win by 2 point rule in effect).
In FIVB, it is best 3 of 5 sets.
Violations of Rules (Faults)
Violations of the rules for a player or players on one team results in a “fault”, with the rally ending
and a point being awarded to the opposing team (and the loss of serve if applicable).
 When Playing the Ball:
1. Teams may only hit the ball three times when the ball is on their side of the court. The third
hit must get the ball over the net, into the opposing team’s court area. If two or three players
on the same team hit the ball at the same time, it counts as two or three hits, with the
exception of two or three players blocking the ball.
2. A player may not hit the ball two times consecutively, with the following exceptions:
 Playing the ball after a block (i.e. the player contacts the ball in a block, then digs out
the ball from hitting on his/her side of the court).
 Playing the ball on the first hit of a team (in which case the ball may contact various parts
of the body in succession, but must be in the same motion).
 Players may not receive assistance from another player, or an object such as the net
stand, in order to hit the ball.
3. The ball must be hit cleanly – in other words, the ball cannot be cradled, carried, caught,
thrown, or directed. The ball must rebound clearly off the player.
4. During the serve, the server’s foot may not touch the end line during contact with the ball. The
server’s teammates may not block the opponent’s view of the server, the ball, the trajectory
of the ball, and so on, nor can they distract the opposing team.
5. The ball may be played within the court area, the free zone, and beyond the free zone. It the
latter instance, this area is called a “non-playing area” and must be able to be safely navigated.
Variations: Middle and high school players, and university players must be touching the
playable surface to legally play a ball over a non-playable area. For FIVB players, the ball may be
retrieved from beyond the free zone when the surface change is lower by ½” or less, and the area
is free of obstructions. If this condition does NOT exist, then a player must be touching the
playable surface to play a ball over a non-playing area. This accounts for specific volleyball
venues that may have a raised playing surface.

During the Rally

At the Net
1. The ball must cross over the net within what is called the “crossing space”, which is the air space
over the top of the net between the sidelines. In official matches and tournaments, there are
antennae on the top of the net directly above the sidelines to assist with defining this space (see
court diagram in Section 1). Otherwise, the ball is “out”.
2. The ball may touch the net as it goes over, and may be played off the net as well. However, it may
not touch the wires, antennae, stand or padding.
3. Players may not contact the net (the exception being if the ball is driven into the net by one team,
causing the net to touch a player on the other team).
Variations: Middle and high school players cannot contact the net, net cables, or net antennae
except contact by loose hair. Contacting the net or net cables is also a net fault. Dangerous contact
with or gaining an advantage from the standards or referee platform is a net fault. If university and
FIVB players contact the net between the antennae, during the action of playing the ball, it is a fault.
The action of playing the ball includes (among others) the take-off, the hit / attempted hit, and landing.
However, players may touch the post, ropes, or any other object outside the antennae, including the
net itself, provided that it does not interfere with play.
4. A player may not touch the ball or an opponent in the opponent’s space, before or during the
opponent’s attack hit.
5. A player’s foot or feet cannot penetrate completely into the opponent’s court.
Variations: Middle and high school players can touch opponent’s court with feet or hands,
provided some part of the extremity is on or above the center line. Contacting the floor across the
centerline with any other part of the body is a fault. University and FIVB players can touch
opponent’s court with feet or hands, provided some part of extremity is on or above the centerline.
Players may also touch the opponent’s court with an entire foot or hand or any other body part(s),
provided the encroachment does not present a safety hazard, does not interfere with the
opponents, and some body part is on/over the center line.
6. In blocking, a player may not touch the ball beyond the net and interfere with the opponent’s play
before or during the opponent’s attack hit.

The “Attack” Hit

1. While all players can play the ball, there are certain restrictions on which players can “attack” the
ball, and from where they are in the court, during a rally
o The attack hit is defined as any hit of the ball with the intent of it going over the net to the
opponent’s court. From a “zones” perspective, a front-row player (i.e. those players who at
the time of the serve were in zones 2, 3, and 4) may complete an attack hit at any height of
the ball, provided that the contact with the ball has been made within the player’s own playing
space.
o A back-row player (i.e. those players who at the time of the serve were in zones 1, 6, and 5)
may complete an attack hit at any height only from behind the front zone, as marked by the
“attack” line or 3-meter line. A back-row player may complete an attack hit from the front zone,
if at the moment of the contact a part of the ball is lower than the top of the net.
 2. A back row player may not, at his/her takeoff, touch or have crossed over the attack line (but after
his/her hit, the player may land within the front zone).
3. A back-row player may not complete an attack hit from the front zone, if at the moment of the hit the
ball is entirely higher than the top of the net.
4. The serve cannot be attacked.
Variations: Middle and high school players cannot attack the opponent’s serve from in front
of, or behind, the attack line if the ball is entirely above the top of the net, according to volleyball
rules. University and FIVB players cannot attack the opponent’s service, when the ball is in the
front zone and entirely higher than the top of the net.
5. A player may not hit the ball within the playing space of the opposing team.

The Block
1. Back-row players may not block.
2. Players may not touch the ball in the opponent’s space, either before or simultaneously with the
opponent’s attack hit.
3. Players may not block the ball in the opponent’s space from outside the antenna.
4. The serve may not be blocked.

Rotational / Positional Faults

It is important to remember that while volleyball is a very free flowing sport during rallies, with
players moving all around (subject to some restrictions on who can play the ball from where on the
court as described above), the rotation and position rules are very strict. As such, faults are declared
if the rules from section 4, PLAYER SERVICE ROTATION AND POSITIONING RULES, are not
followed.

Rotational Fault – A rotational fault is committed when the service is not made according to the rotational
order. It leads to the following consequences:

 A point and service is awarded to the opponent (and the order of the offending team must be
corrected).
 The scorer determines the exact moment when the fault was committed, and all points scored
subsequently by the team at fault must be cancelled while the opponent’s points remain valid.

Positional Fault – A positional fault is committed when, at the time of the serve, the players are not in
their appropriate zones on the court according to their rotational order. This includes when a player is on
court through illegal substitution. It leads to the following consequences:
  A point and service awarded to the opponent.
 The player positions must be corrected.
Substitutions
Players in the starting rotation may be substituted with other players from the team, with certain
restrictions.
1. A player that has been substituted may re-enter the game, but only in the position from which they
were substituted.
2. Coaches must request a substitution with the referee. In cases where there is a substitution zone
on the playing surface, a player entering the substitution zone also represent a request.
3. Inserting a Librero does not count as a substitution.
4. Number of substitutions allowed:
 Middle and High School – 18 substitutions per set.
 University – 12 substitutions per set.
 FIVB – 6 substitutions per set. A player of the starting line-up may leave the game, but only once
in a set, and re-enter, but only once in a set.
5. An “exceptional substitution” may occur when a player (except the Libero) cannot continue playing
due to injury or illness. They should be substituted legally, but if this is not possible, the team is entitled
to make an exceptional substitution. This means that any player who is not on the court at the time of
the injury/illness, except the Libero, second Libero or their regular replacement player, may be
substituted into the game for the injured/ill player. The substituted injured/ill player is not allowed to re-
enter the match.
6. If there is an illegal substitution in violation of the above, the following consequences occur:
 The offending team is penalized with a point and service to the opponent, and the substitution
must be rectified.
 The points scored by the team at fault since the fault was committed are cancelled, while the
opponent’s points remain valid.