Historical Background of Volleyball

Volleyball is a sport in which there are two teams comprising of six players on each side, who are
separated by a net in between them. The teams try to score points over each other by grounding the ball
on the other team's court. Like other games, in volleyball too there are certain rules that need to be
followed. One of the important rule of this game states that a team can make contact with the ball a
maximum of three times, before the ball passes onto the other team's court.
Volleyball uses some very common techniques, like, spiking, passing, blocking and setting. Like football,
there are special positions available for players, like offensive and defensive. One needs good vertical
jumping skills in order to play volleyball well, because players need to jump above the net many a times
to make contact with the ball. In recent times, there have been many variations of volleyball that have
cropped up. Read on to find out more about the history and origin of the game of volleyball.
William G. Morgan, who was a YMCA physical education director in Holyoke, Massachusetts, created a
new game called Mintonette, in 1895. This was a game which was to be played indoors and by any
number of players. The game of Mintonette took some of its features from tennis and handball. During
the same time, the game of basketball was catching up in the same area.
Subsequently, Morgan wrote the first rules for the game which said that the court should be 6ft 6in. high
and 25x50 ft2 in size. The rules also stated that any number of players could play this game. A mintonette
match had nine innings with three serves for each team in a particular inning. There were no limits to the
number of times a team can make contact with the ball. Unlike the present day volleyball, hitting the net
with the ball was considered a foul except in the case of a first serve.
After Alfred Halstead noticed the nature of the game in 1896, which was to volley the ball towards the
other team, the game came to be known as volleyball. Later, the rules of the volleyball were modified by
the International YMCA Training School and the game spread around the United States and to various
other YMCAs as well. It is still not clear as to who created the first official ball that was used in the game.
According to some sources, the first official ball was created by Spalding in the year 1896, while others
claim it was created in 1900. The rules of the game have also developed in time.
It was in the year 1916 that the skill of set and spike was introduced to the game. Subsequently, four years
later, the three hits rule and back row hitting were established as well. The first country, apart from United
States which adopted volleyball was Canada, in the year 1900. The Federation Internationale de
Volleyball was founded in 1947 while the first ever World Championship was held in 1949 for men and in
1952 for women. Volleyball is now widely recognized and played in many countries like Brazil, Italy, the
Netherlands, Russia, China and in Asia as well.
In the 1924 Paris Olympics, volleyball was played as a part of the American sports demonstration event.
After FIVB was founded, volleyball began to be considered for official inclusion in the Olympics.
Volleyball was successfully included as a sport in the 1964 Summer Olympics. The number of teams that
participate in the volleyball Olympic tournament have increased with time. Since 1996, both men's and
women's events have twelve participating nations.
The U.S.S.R won the title of men's volleyball during the years 1964 and 1968, while in 1972 it was Japan
who bagged the gold medal. As far as women's competition is concerned, Japan won the gold medal for
the same in 1964 and again in 1976. In the year 2000, there were certain amendments and changes that
were implemented in the game. These include, allowing serves in which the ball touches the net, as long

as it goes over it in to the other team's court. The service area was also expanded, which allowed players
to serve from anywhere behind the end line..
There is another variation of the game called the beach volleyball which is played. The beach volleyball
found its place in the 1996 Summer Olympics as well.
Volleyball has inspired numerous variations of the game, some of which are:

Beach volleyball

Indoor sand volleyball

Newcomb ball

Sepak Takraw

Footvolley

Sitting volleyball

Blind volleyball

Nine-man volleyball

Jollyball

Volutobol

Soft volleyball or softball

Jail bail

Aquatic volleyball

Important Dates and Events in Volleyball History:

1895: William G. Morgan (1870-1942) created the game of volleyball.

1900: a special ball was designed for the sport.

1916: in the Philippines, an offensive style of passing the ball in a high trajectory to be struck by
another player (the set and spike) was introduced..

1920s: there are unconfirmed whispers of mens teams playing on the beach in Hawaii, but most
accounts place the sport's origin in Santa Monica, California where the first Volleyball courts are
put up on the beach at the Playground. Families play 6 vs. 6.

1920: three hits per side and back row attack rules were instituted.

1922: the first YMCA national championships were held in Brooklyn, NY. 27 teams from 11
states were represented.

1928: it became clear that tournaments and rules were needed; 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.

1930s: the first two-man beach volleyball game is played in Santa Monica, California.

1934: the approval and recognition of national volleyball referees.

1937: at the AAU convention in Boston, action was taken to recognize the U.S. Volleyball
Association as the official National Governing Body (NGB) 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.

1974: the World Championships in Mexico were telecast in Japan.

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.

1984: the U.S. won their first medals at the Olympics in Los Angeles. The Men won the Gold,
and the Women the Silver.

1986: the Women's Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) was formed.

1988: the U.S. Men repeated the Gold in the Olympics in Korea.

1989: the FIVB Sports Aid Program was created.

1990: the World League was created.

1995: the sport of Volleyball was 100 years old! This Web site - Volleyball.Com goes live!

1996: 2-person beach volleyball debuted as an Olympic Sport.

1997: Dain Blanton (with Canyon Ceman) becomes the first African-American professional
beach volleyball player to win a tournament on the Miller Lite/AVP Tour.

1998: For the first time in the FIVB World Tour, men and women players are rewarded at the
same level with $170,000 in total prize money per Open event.

1999: For the first time beach volleyball was included in the Pan American Games which were
held in Canada.

2000: Olympic Beach Volleyball Men's Gold medalists: Eric Fomoimoana & Dain Blanton
(USA). The women's Beach Volleyball America (BVA) announces their inaugural season of play.

2001: Christopher "Sinjin" Smith plays the final match of his impressive career, a 21-19 and 2422 loss with George Roumain to Dax Holdren and Todd Rogers in the 4th round of the
contender's bracket at the AVP Manhattan Beach Open. Sinjin retires as the leader in tournaments
played with 416, 2nd in all-time victories with 139, and 4th in all-time winnings with over
US$1.6 million earned.

2002: Beach volleyball court dimensions reduced to 8m x 8m per side.

2003: Karch Kiraly becomes the first player to earn US$3M in prize money and oldest player to
win an AVP tournament at age 42 years, 9 months and 14 days. (You're never too old for
volleyball!)

2004: Kerri Walsh and Misty May Win the Women's Olympic Beach Volleyball Title

2005: Olympic gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor win their second Association
of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Open women's title and the 2005 overall women's
championship.

2006: Elaine Youngs' second place finish (with Rachel Wacholder) in Seaside Heights pushes her
career earnings past $1 million. She becomes the third American woman to achieve that mark.

2006: In Seaside Heights, both Casey Jennings (with Matt Fuerbringer) and Kerri Walsh (with
Misty May-Treanor) won titles, becoming just the second husband-wife duo to win pro beach
events on the same weekend. They join Mike and Patty Dodd, who accomplished the feat four
times in 1989, but each time in different locations.

2006: Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor win in Chicago as Walsh joins the millionaire club.
She is the 18th person worldwide to win over $1 million in her career, and did so in fewer events
(90th tournament) as well as being one of just four to reach the mark before turning 28 years old.

2007: Misty May-Treanor passes Brazilians Adriana Behar and Shelda Bede as the winningest
player since the women's competition on the international beach volleyball circuit began in 1992.

2007: Misty May-Treanor becomes the women's all-time wins leader by capturing her 73rd
victory, surpassing Holly McPeak's record by winning with Kerri Walsh in Hermosa Beach. She
reached this total in just 123 tournaments -- winning 57.5% of her events.

2007: In a championship match that lasted 1:41, Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs defeat
Jennifer Boss and April Ross 21-19, 18-21, 16-14 in Seaside Heights. The marathon set the record
for the longest match in rally scoring, men or women, in domestic or international play.

2007: Karch Kiraly retires to close an impressive career on the beach, leaving as the all-time wins
leader and money earner. His longevity was marked by the fact he won a tournament in 24
different years, and he advanced to the semifinals in over 75% of all the events he ever played
and was named as the AVP's MVP a record-most six times.

2008: Hot Winter Nights, a series of 19 events in January and February, kicks off in Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma marking the first ever indoor beach volleyball tour. Mark Williams and Nancy
Mason are the first winners in the "King of the Beach format" events.

Terminology in Volleyball
Basic Volleyball Terms Everyone Should Know
Free ball
An easy ball that is returned over the net by a forearm or overhead pass. This ball is called free because
its a free opportunity to pass, set, and attack the opponent.
Pepper
Peppering is a warming up drill between two players. The players hit the ball back and forth to one
another using the main skills in volleyball pass, set, and hit. This is a common warm up drill because all
you need is a ball and two players. No volleyball net necessary.
Side out
The side out is one of the basic volleyball terms used in old school volleyball. Today, a side out is called
<i>point on serve receive</i>. In the olden days, when the team that receives the serve wins the rally, this
is called a sideout. When a team sides out, they must rotate and the right front player is now the new
server.
Basic Volleyball Terms for Offensive Systems
Four-two offense
A volleyball offensive system that includes 4 hitters and 2 setters. The two setters play opposite one
another in the rotation and each set when they are front row players. The 4-2 has the advantage of always
having the setter on the front row. The 4-2 has the disadvantage of only having two hitters on the front
row for the setter to set at the net.

Five-one offense
A volleyball offensive system that includes 5 hitters and 1 setter. The setter sets in every rotation. The 5-1
has the advantage of always having the same setter set. 5-1 has the disadvantage of only having two
hitters on the front row when the setter rotates to the front row and sets in those 3 rotations.
Six-two offense
A volleyball offensive system that includes 6 hitters and 2 setters. The two setters play opposite one
another in the rotation and each set when they are on the back row. The 6-2 has the advantage of always
having a setter set coming from the back row. This leaves the other setter on front row free to attack the
ball. The disadvantage of the 6-2 is this offensive system is the setter cant attack at the net. Passers also
need to be careful they dont pass the ball too tight because this puts the setter at risk for illegal back row
blocks and illegal back row attacks.
Court Strong Side
The left side of the court is often referred to as strong side because its usually easier for right handed
players to attack for the left side.
Court Weak Side
The right side of the court is often referred to as weak side because its usually less effective for right
handed players to attack for the right side.
Basic Volleyball Terms for Sets
Four
A high outside set. This is usually the main set in a volleyball offense.
Five or Back
This set is much like the four set, except this set is set back to the weak-side hitter.
One or Quick Ball
This a quick set that set to the middle of the court. This set is set low and timing is critical. This play is
usually run so the middle hitter can catch the opposing blockers off guard.
Back-One
This ball is set low and quick like the ONE set except this set is set back behind the setter.
Front Two or Two Ball
This ball is a higher set in the middle of the court. Timing is less critical on the two ball. This play is
usually run usually in combinations with other quicker plays such as back ones and out side shoots to
make it tougher for opposing blockers to successfully block.
Back-Two
This set is like the Front Two except the ball is set behind the setter.
Pipe
Set the pipe is done by setting a back row player that jumps and attacks from behind the attack line. A
pipe may also be called a ten set.

Shoot
A shoot is basically a quick set to a hitter hitting outside. This set is low with the ball traveling with a low
arc and quick. Because of the speed the ball is traveling, timing becomes a factor to executing the play
effectively.
Slide
A slide is where an attacker takes an approach and hits the ball after jumping off one foot. This is usually
done by a middle hitter faking a quick approach to the middle. After faking the approach, the hitter takes
steps along the net chasing the ball that travels behind the setter and then jumps parallel to the net off one
foot and hits the ball as they are gliding through the air.
Three Ball or Thirty One
A three is much like a shoot except the set goes about half way to the outside. Its basically a shoot to a
middle hitter.
Thirty-Two
A thirty-two is basically a slower and higher thirty-one set.
Here are more basic volleyball terms for volleyball offense.
Basic Volleyball Terms for Contacting the Ball
Spike
A volleyball spike is an offensive action a player makes by hitting the ball with the hand by using a onearm overhead swinging motion, attempting to get a kill.
Here are more basic volleyball terms for attacking.
Dig
A defensive player making a play on a ball that is attacked by the opponent. A dig is a defensive play
made on a hard driven ball.
Double contact or Double
A double contact is when a player contacts the ball with two body parts consecutively.
Mishit
A mishit is when a player swings and hits the ball but doesnt contact the ball as intended. The result of a
mishit is the ball is hit at a different speed, direction, or spin than was intended which results in an
unpredictable hit placement.
Shank
A shank is when a player unintentionally passes a ball in a wild manner, making the ball unplayable for
the setter to make a play on the shanked pass.
Dump
An attack that is used to surprise the opponent. This play is usually executed by a front row setter. The
attack catches the opponents defense usually is ready for an attack from the setter because the setters
main job is to set attackers. Be alert of when you are up against left handed setters because this is a play
that left handed players are in good position to make.

Pancake
The pancake is a desperate attempt to keep the ball in play. A pancake is done by extending the arm out in
front the body after diving. The goal is to get the ball to bounce up off the hand to make it stay in play.
Sky ball
The sky ball is a unique underhand volleyball serve in which the ball is swung at and hit unusually high in
the air above the opposing team's court. This is usually done in outdoor volleyball, attempting to make it
difficult for the receiving players to pass.
Slang Basic Volleyball Terms
Getting Tattooed or Facial
Getting Tattooed is when a player cant get out of the way of an opponents hard driven ball. A facial is the
result of getting hit in the face by a hard spike.
Passing on a Dime
Passing on a dime is a perfect pass or passing nails.
Nice Hands
Nice Hands refers to player setting the ball real cleanly. A player with nice handshardly ever doubles the
ball.
Jungle Ball or Picnic Ball
Jungle volleyball is a game played by inexperienced players with little ball control. This type of
volleyball is usually played at church picnics or family barbeques.
Shag
Shagging refers to picking up and collecting court scattered volleyballs. At the end of volleyball drills or
pre-game warm ups players shag volleyballs.
Flipper
A flipper is a play on the ball by reaching out and contacting the ball with an outstretched back hand in a
flipping motion.
Gator
A Gator is defensive digging technique popularized by beach volleyball players. The defense technique is
used on hard hit balls. The play is called a gator because the hands are formed into the shape of 2 gator
jaws. Two open hand digging volleyball skills involve digging the ball first with the bottom hand and then
directing it with the hand on top.

Special Skills in Volleyball