Introduction
Welcome to Volleyball 101, the go-to guide for understanding the basics of one of the world’s most exciting and fast-paced sports. Whether you’re new to volleyball or getting back into it. This beginner’s guide to volleyball will help anyone learn the rules, positions, and techniques that make volleyball a thrilling game to play and watch.
1. A Brief History of Volleyball
William G. Morgan created volleyball in Holyoke, Massachusetts, in 1895. at his local YMCA as an alternative to basketball.
Originally called “Mintonette,” the new sport was intended to find a less physical and bruising game than basketball that older members of the Y would be able to participate in, which became appealing to businessmen.
Mintonette changed its name to Volleyball due to the volleying action.
History Timeline of Volleyball
- 1895: William G. Morgan (1870-1942) created the game of volleyball, but called the game Mintonette.
- 1896: The first exhibition match for volleyball was played at Springfield College (called International YMCA Training School in 1896).
- 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.
- 1917: The game was changed from 21 to 15 points.
- 1964: Volleyball was introduced to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
- 1989: The FIVB Sports Aid Program was created.
- 1990: The World League was created.
2. The Objective of the Game
- Score points by grounding the ball on the opponent’s court in bounds.
- Prevent the opposing team from grounding the ball on your team’s side of the court.
- To win the set, the team must reach 25 points with a 2-point lead. For example, if the score is 25-24, the team with 25 has not won yet. They must continue playing until they have a two-point lead past 25. Example of final score past 25 would be 26-24, or 30-28.
- To win the Match, the team must win either a best-of-3 or best-of-5 match, depending on what level of play. Club Volleyball, Junior High, Freshman, and Junior Varsity matches are typically a best of 3 sets. While Varsity, Collegiate, Professional, and International volleyball is typically a best of 5 sets.
3. Court Layout and Equipment Needed
Court Dimensions:
- 18 Meters Long, 9 Meters Wide
- Net Height 2.43 meters (8 feet) for Men
- Net Height 2.24 meters (7 feet 4 inches) for Women
- The Front Zone is 3 meters that goes from the center line to the 3-meter line, or 10-foot line.
- The back zone is 6 meters, which goes from the 3-meter line/10-foot line to the serving line.
- Antennas on the net that go above the net to mark the outbound section of the net, which coincides with the out-of-bounds lines.
Essential Equipment:
The bare minimum you need to start playing volleyball is a ball. Any round ball can be used to start practicing volleyball skills, but you won’t get the full effect and understanding of the game. For an official volleyball game to be played, a court, a net, and a ball are needed.
New to Volleyball Items:
- Kneed Pads
- Proper Court Shoes
- Elbow Pads
- Water Bottle
- Scoreboard
Volleyball is a sport that has hundreds of gadgets and gizmos to improve your game as a player or a coach, but none are essential to playing the game.
A game can be created anywhere with just setting the boundaries, creating a net, and a ball, and you can start playing the game!
4. Basic Rules and Scoring
- Rally Scoring System
- Teams rotate clockwise after winning a point, where the opponent served
- Three touches permitted per side
- A player cannot hit the ball twice in succession
- A player can not hold onto the ball or catch and release it. The ref would call a “lift.”
- A block touch does not count as one of the team’s 3 touches.
- A player can not touch the net.
- The Antennae are out of bounds
- The line mark is in bounds
5. Player Positions and Roles
There are 6 players allowed on a court at a time, and most rosters range from 10 to 15 players. It is typical for a team to play anywhere from 7 to 10 players during a set of a volleyball match. It all depends on the strength of a team’s players and the strategy they implement.
- Outside Hitter (Left Side)
- A “Pin” Hitter on the left side of the net who usually has better ball control than the other hitters. Have strong serve receive skills and are go-to hitters on the offense as they are easy to set repetitively.
- Opposite Hitter (Right Side)
- A “Pin” Hitter on the right side of the net. Lefties have more advantage in this position as they can be open to where the ball is coming from. Opposite Hitters or the Right Sides are usually strong blockers.
- Middle Blocker
- Middle Blockers are typically taller than others and better blockers. Have a lot of responsibility on defense of blocking all 3 options on the other side.
- Setter
- The Setter is the quarterback on the court. They are in charge of taking every second contact to distribute it to a hitter to attack (spike).
- Libero (Defensive Specialist)
- Libero is a designated defensive player who can only play in the back row. They do not require to use of a formal substitution to enter the game. Whoever they go in for must be the same person who enters back onto the court.
- Defensive Specialist (DS)
- Unlike the Libero, a Defensive specialist must use a substitution to enter the game.
6. Basic Skills
- Serving
- Float serve vs. top spin.
- Standing serve or jump serve.
- Passing
- Passing (Bump) is a forearm pass.
- Hand passing is like setting the ball, but on the first contact.
- Setting
- Delivering a clean, accurate ball for attackers by using your hands and fingertips
- Hitting (Spiking)
- Timing, Footwork, and Power
- Approach jump, to Arm Swing, to snapping your hand around the ball.
- Blocking
- Anticipating and reacting to attacks by pushing your arms over the net to block the path of the attack.
- Digging
- Defensive move to prevent the ball from hitting the ground.
- Similar to passing, but this is from the opponent’s attack.
7. Common Strategies
Two main offensive systems to know. They are a 5-1 or a 6-2.
The first number is the number of hitters. The second number is the number of setters.
A 5-1 is using 5 hitters and 1 setter, where the setter is playing on the court the whole time.
A 6-2 is using 6 hitters and 2 setters. This means that the setters are subbing in to the back row for an opposite hitter.
One Setter and one opposite hitter will start in the game. They will start in opposite spots on the court.
When they rotate to the point where the setter is moving to the front row and the right side to the back row, they will sub out, and a new opposite hitter will sub in for the setter, and a new setter will sub in for the opposite hitter.
A 5-1 is much simpler when the setter is in the whole time and does not need to sub out. The opposite hitter will then play back row or be subbed out by a defensive specialist.
8. Basic Volleyball Terms
- Ace: A serve is an ace if it lands in the opponent’s court untouched, directly resulting in a point for the serving team. A point is also awarded if the opponent touches the ball only once and either lands on their side of the court or out of bounds.
- Kill: A kill is any attack on a second or third contact that lands in the opponent’s court, or if the opponent touches the ball once and lands on the court or out of bounds, resulting in a point.
- Dig: A dig is a successful first contact directly from an opponent’s attack at your court.
- Assist: An assist is any touch directly before a kill. A setter’s statistic, as they are usually the player with the contact before an attack.
- Block: A block is a touch that meets an attack at the net and drops on the attacker’s side of the court for a point.
- Pass: A pass is any platform (arm passing) passing, or hand passing on the first contact.
- Tool: A tool is when an attacker spikes the ball and hits it directly off the blocker’s hands, where it ricochets off the blocker.
- Roof: A roof is an emphatic block.
9. Tips for Beginners
- Focus on the Fundamentals. Being able to control the ball and where it goes is extremely important.
- Learn to move on the court. The majority of the game is moving around on the court while not touching the ball.
- Communication is key to every sport.
- Practice consistent serves and passes.
- Watch high-level matches for inspiration and find new skills to add to your own game.
- Watch the other team and not just the ball.
Conclusion
Volleyball is easy to learn and incredibly fun to play. Now equipped with the foundational knowledge, and can feel confident stepping onto the court. Beginner volleyball players don’t need to be nervous.
Volleyball is a sport anyone can learn at any age, and one of the few sports that you can play for a lifetime.
So grab a ball, find a net, and start playing!
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