Volleyball

Volleyball is played by two teams, each composed of six players who use their hands to
volley the ball back and forth over the net which is higher than their heads. The object of the
game is to hit the ball over the net, with certain limitations, before it touches the ground and in
such a way that the opponent cannot return it.

I. History of Volleyball

The game of volleyball originated when William J. Morgan began experimenting in 1895
at the Y.M.C.A, Holyoke, Massachusetts. He combined the main features of tennis with a ball
used in basketball. The name of this net game was derived from the word “volley,” a term used
in tennis meaning to hit the ball on the fly. The game was readily adopted by the Y.M.C.A across
the country, and this organization has led the way in promoting the sport. Separate rules for
women were published in 1924.

Volleyball offers many advantages. It trains us to be alert and instills interest in both
sexes young and old alike. It provides exercise in moderation and all-around muscular
coordination. It is a safe game and is adapted to various age range which makes it one of the best
“carry-over” sports. The continual reaching, stretching, and looking upward is of great value in
correction of postural defects, especially round shoulder and flat chest.
 II. Facilities and Equipment Used

1. The Court

2. The Net
a. Dimension: 1 m wide and 9.5 m long.
b. Height of net : 2.43 m for men and 2.24 m for women.
c. Side Markers: A movable band of white material 5 cm wide placed at extremities of
the net.

3. The Ball

Not more than 65-67 cm. in circumference, weight not more than 262 g.
 IV. Basic Skills in Volleyball

The Game Volleyball

Volleyball is a team sport that can be played outdoors or indoors. The team is composed
of twelve players but there are only six players who are actually playing inside the court. A team
can assign a Libero whose uniform is of different color from the other members of the team. He
is allowed to substitute any member of the playing team once the ball is dead. He can get in and
out of the playing area even without asking permission from the officials. His substitution is not
counted as legal substitution of the team. The Libero is not allowed to spike the ball in the attack
area or at the back line area of the court. His main duty is to stop, retrieve the ball, and make a
defensive play only. The main reason for having a Libero in the team is for the spikers to have a
rest. A Libero automatically gets out if he becomes a frontline player.

The players are allowed to use their head or feet to retrieve a ball. Scoring in volleyball is
called rally point. The first team who reaches twenty-five points will be declared as the winner of
the set. In case both teams tie (24-24) or deuce, a two-point advantage is needed to win the set.

Fundamental Skills in Volleyball

1. The Serve

There are three types of service – underhand, overhand and sidearm

UNDERHAND SERVICE
Preparatory Position:
 Server faces net with left foot forward.
 Ball is held about waist level in palm of left hand, in front of right leg.
 Body Action
 Swing right arm backward shifting weight to rear foot.
 To strike ball – swing right arm forward from shoulder shifting weight to front foot,
and strike or hit ball with open hand or fist closed as left hand releases hold of ball.

The stance is the same as the overhand serve, but skill is executed by the player
tossing the ball approximately above the head level and hitting it with extended hitting
arm.

SIDEARM SERVICE
The chief advantage of this method is the deceptive twist or curve which is secured if the
skill is done properly. However, like the overhand serve, it is very remediable.
Preparatory Position:
 Server is turned with left side closer to the net
 Ball is held at shoulder level in the palm of left hand with hand stretched or hald-
stretched.
Body Action:
 Right arm is drawn back and then swings forward contracting the ball.
 Ball may be hit directly out of the hand or it may be tossed into the air a few inches.
 The hitting arm follows through parallel to floor.
Body Action:
 As ball approaches, knees are bent and trunk leans back slightly.
 A backward step may be taken by either foot.
 To put force to the ball, straighten the knees and trunk with an upward extension of
arms.
 Play ball with “10 points” which is formed by putting fingers in front of face.

2. The Attack
Spiking is done by hitting the ball over or above the net with a strong force or smash such
that the ball falls in a downward direction. For an effective strategy, however, the spike can be
modified by just making the ball roll off the hands over the net into the opponent’s court. The
objective is to make the opponents commit faults or errors.

Kinds of Spikes
a. Hand spike or strong spike is expected to push back the blocking hands or cause the
ball to go out of control after hitting the blocking hands.
b. Soft spike – the ball rolls off the hands to the body of the blockers so that faults are
committed.

Action:
Facing the sit-up player, just jump high and hit ball as it passes high above net.
A running attack is done by making one, two or three steps directly forward before
making the jump.

3. The Defense
Blocking is the effort of the defensive team to stop a spike. This is done by putting up the
fingers and hands above the net and in front of the ball so that the spiked ball may be returned to
the spiker’s court, or the ball may fall on the blocker’s court with diminished or lesser force so
that the other players may be able to handle it.
More than one player can block tha ball at the same time. This needs proper timing. The
blockers usually stay two or three feet away from the net ready to jump high enough to reach the
area where the ball will be batted.

Action:
As spiker jumps up to spike the ball, follow him up with arms extended straight upward
and fingers spread and arms rigid to deflect the ball back across the net to spiker’s side.
 V. Terminologies

Attack – The offensive team attempting to score.

Block – A defensive play used to intercept a hard-driven spike. Players generally leap
with their outstretched hands in front of the spiker in an attempt to deflect the ball
either back to the spiker’s court or to one of their own players.

Dead Ball – Ball is dead when the play stops with the whistle of the referee.

Double Foul – Both teams committing a foul in the same play. In this case, the service is to be
replayed.

Dribbling – When a player touches the ball more than once with whatever part of his body
when no other player has touched it before.

Foul – A violation of the rules.

Game – One team reaches 25 points.

Holding – When the ball comes to rest momentarily in the hands or arms of the player.
Scooping, lifting, shoving or following the ball are considered holding.

Pass – To bat the ball to a teammate.

Placement – Hitting the ball on an intended spot.

Point – A score made by the serving team.

Service – The act of putting the ball in play.

Set-up – A high pass, close to the net, so that the spiker can drive the ball into the
opponent’s court.

Side-out – Failure of the serving team to score.

Spike – Hitting a ball in play at net level or above so that it is driven downward over the
net.

VI. Skill Practices and Rules in Volleyball

A. Keep Ball up

Formation:
Eight players on each of two teams take positions as shown on diagram. Each team
occupies one-half of the width and the entire length of one court; each group playing over one-
half of the net. Each team has its own volleyball.

Playing Rules:
1. Each team puts its own ball into play by a toss over the net from either of the front line
position.
2. One point is scored for the team each time the ball passes over the net while in play.
3. Ball continues in play until it touches the ground or an obstruction. Out of bound ball
is declared “dead” and one trial is completed.
4. A score is made on every trial made by each team. A team can have many trials.
5. At the end of the playing period, the team which has the higher score for any single
trial is declared winner.
 Note:
One team may play for its own record and later compare scores with another team
playing at the same time. It is not necessary for teams to complete on every trial.

B. Serve and Catch

Formation:
Two teams of eight or more players on each team, each team spreading out its members
on one side of a volleyball court with a net outstretched across.

Playing Rules:
1. Ball is put in play by a player on either side of court serving ball over the net, and
trying to make it touch the ground.
2. Players to whom the ball is served try to catch it before it is caught. When the ball is
caught, the serving group or team gets a point, then another player takes his place or turn
to serve.
3. Serving continues until ball is caught by the opposite team and the serving side is
changed. No point is scored.

Ball Volley

Formation:
Two teams of equal number of players are scattered in their respective areas of the court.

Playing Rule:
1. To start the game, the leader tosses the ball to members of Team A who continue to
toss or volley the ball as long as they can keep it up. As the ball is being volleyed, the
leader counts the number of volleys made until the ball drops and touches the ground.
2. The leader now tosses the ball to the members of Team B who also do the same.
3. The team which has the greater number of volleys gets a point.
4. The game continues until a team scores ten points and is declared winner.
Reference:

Perez, Vilma, V., et. al, MAPEH 1( Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health): St. Bernadette
Publications, Inc., 2004, 1680 E. Rodriguez Ave. España Et., Cubao, Quezon City, pages 264-
273
Salazar, Christian, P.
FM: 09203