Rules of Volleyball

Volleyball requires simple skills but it involves rather complex rules. The following is a general outline of the rules governing the game.

The Serve
The server serves from behind the end line or restraining line until after contact with the ball. The ball could be served either overhand or underhand. It is required that the ball is clearly visible to the opponents before the service. A served ball that has grazed the net may score a point if it lands on the other side.
A bump – and not a setting or attacking — can be made to return a serve. The volley determines the first game serve. However, each subsequent game must be served by the loser in the previous game.

Scoring
In volleyball, there will be a point scored on every score of the ball. The offense will score on a defense miss or on an out-of-bounds hit. On the other hand, the defense will score either on an offensive miss, an out-of-bounds hit or a serve into the net. Rally scoring will be used in volleyball, with the game played out until a score of 25 points is reached by a team. It is required that a team wins by at least 2 points.

Rotation
Each team in volleyball has anywhere from 4 to 6 players and the players rotate each time their team wins a serve. The players rotate in a clockwise direction.

The Volley
Volleyball allows only 3 hits of the ball per team. A hit is defined as contact with the ball by a player’s body, including the waist. The ball must not come to a rest at anytime for a hit to be called legal. In cases where two or more players contact the ball at once, it is considered as one play and the players involved may not take part in the subsequent play. The ball can be played off the net on a serve or during a volley.
Here are other rules in a volley:
• A block is not considered a hit.
• Any player is not allowed to hit the ball twice in succession.
• A ball which touches the boundary line is good.
• A served ball must not be blocked or attacked.
• Switching positions is allowed only among the front line players and then only after the serve.

Basic Violations
These actions are considered violations in volleyball: stepping on or over the end line during a serve; failure to serve the ball over the net successfully; carrying, palming or throwing the ball and touching the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play.
Reaching over the net is not allowed, except when making a follow-through and when blocking a ball which is in the opponent’s court but is being returned. Reaches under the net which interfere with the ball or with an opposing player is also a violation. Finally, blocks or spikes made from a position which is clearly not behind the 10-foot line are also violations.

Volleyball uniforms
Volleyball uniforms started out to be the baggy kind – baggy shirts and shorts. Today, the standard uniform in volleyball is still flexible, with shirts that are either sleeveless, short-sleeved or long-sleeved and bottoms that could either be in the form of shorts or trousers. Volleyball shoes are also required.