TEAM SPORTS

Volleyball, game played by two teams, usually of six players on a

side, in which the players use their hands to bat a ball back and forth
over a high net, trying to make the ball touch the court within the
opponents’ playing area before it can be returned. To prevent this a
player on the opposing team bats the ball up and toward a teammate
before it touches the court surface—that teammate may then volley it
back across the net or bat it to a third teammate who volleys it across
the net. A team is allowed only three touches of the ball before it must
be returned over the net.

The History & Development of

Volleyball

William G. Morgan invented volleyball in 1895, initially calling the sport

"Mintonette." Within a few years it have become a popular activity at

YMCAs. Within a few decades volleyball had spread internationally and

become a college sport in the United States. Over time, the rules were

refined to limit teams to six aside on the court and hits to three per

possession. Volleyball became an Olympic sport in 1964 and beach

volleyball became an Olympic sport in 1996.

Invention of the Sport

Morgan developed volleyball in 1895, four years after a mentor, James

Naismith, invented basketball. As director of physical education at the

Holyoke (Massachusetts) YMCA, Morgan sought a sport less vigorous than

basketball. "In search of an appropriate game, tennis occurred to me, but

this required rackets, balls, a net and other equipment, so it was

eliminated, but the idea of a net seemed a good one," Morgan explained.

He raised the net higher than the height of the average person and

experimented with various balls. Morgan asked A.G. Spalding & Bros. to

develop a ball that could be batted back and forth. Morgan then began

promoting his game.

Competition Begins

Morgan showcased his new sport to YMCA directors in 1896. At the

suggestion of Professor Alfred T. Halstead, its name was changed to

"volley ball" to match the action of the sport. It was played on a smaller

court (25 feet by 50 feet) with an unlimited number of players hitting the

ball an unlimited number of times. The sport's rules were published in the

July 1896 edition of "Physical Education" and were included the first

official handbook of the North American YMCA Athletic League in 1897.

The History of Volleyball in the
Philippines

The Philippines had more influence over the style of modern volleyball

than you might think. In fact, Philippine volleyball players invented the set

and spike. More than 800 million people in the world play volleyball at

least once a week, according to information from the Westlake High

School physical education department. This competitive sport burns 364

calories per hour for a 200-pound person.

Origins

The history of volleyball in the Philippines dates back to 1910. The Physical

Director of the YMCA, Elwood S. Brown, first introduced volleyball to the

Philippines that year. Philippine people began to play volleyball as a

backyard sport and games of beach volleyball soon followed, according to

information from the Philippine Volleyball Federation, or PVF. Players

hung the net between two trees. They made up their own rules regarding

how many players on each side and how many times you could hit the ball

before sending it over the net.

Basic Volleyball Terminology

Ace: A serve that results directly in a point, usually when the ball hits the floor
untouched on the receiving team’s side of the court.
Assist: Helping a teammate set up for a kill.
Attack: The offensive action of hitting the ball.
Attacker: Also “hitter” and “spiker.” A player who attempts to hit a ball offensively
with the purpose of terminating play.
Attack Block: The defensive team’s attempt to block a spiked ball.
Attack Error: An attack botched in one of 5 ways: ball lands out of bounds; ball goes
into net; attacker commits center line or net violation or attacker illegally contacts
ball.
Attack Line: A line 3 meters/10 feet away from, and parallel to, the net. Separates the
front-row players from the back-row players. A back-row player cannot legally attack
the ball above the net unless he takes off from behind this line.

Back row/court: Space from baseline (endline) to attack line. There are 3 players
whose court positions are in this area (positions 1, 6 & 5 on court)
Back Row Attack: When a back-row player takes off from behind the attack line (10-
foot/3-meter) line and attacks the ball. Various terms A-B-C-D-PIPE-BIC.
Back set: Set delivered behind the setter.
Baseline: The back boundary of the court. Also called the end line
Block: One of the 6 basic skills. A defensive play by one or more front-row players
meant to intercept a spiked ball. The combination of one, 2 or 3 players jumping in
front of the opposing spiker and contacting the spiked ball with the hands.
Blocking Error: Touching the net, crossing the centerline, blocking a set or serve or
any other “local” violation that occurs while making a block attempt.

Center line: The boundary that runs under the net and divides the court into two
equal halves.
Closing the block: The responsibility of the assisting blocker(s) to angle their body
relative to the first blocker.
“Cover”: Refers to the hitter having his/her teammates ready to retrieve rebounds
from the opposing blockers.
Cross-court attack: An attack directed diagonally from the point of attack. Also
called an angle hit.
Cut shot: A spike from the hitter’s strong side that travels at a sharp angle across the
net.

Deep: Refers to sending the ball away from the net, toward the baseline of the
opponent’s court.
Defense: One of the 6 basic skills. The key skills used to receive the opponent's attack
are digging and sprawling. The dig resembles a forearm pass from a low ready
position and is used more for balls that are hit near the defender. The sprawl is a result
of an attempted dig for a ball hit farther away from the defender. It resembles a dive.
Dig: Passing a spiked or rapidly hit ball and low to ground. Defensive play. Slang for
retrieving an attacked ball close to the floor. Statistically scored on a 3.0 point system.
Dink: A one-handed, soft hit into the opponent’s court using the fingertips. Also
called a tip.
Double block: Two players working in unison to intercept a ball at the net.
Double hit: Violation. Two successive hits by the same player.
Down Ball: Type of attack. “Down” refers to the blockers who neither jump, nor raise
their hands above the net.
Dump: Usually performed by the setter, who delivers the ball into the opponent’s
court on the second contact.

Five-One (5-1): An offensive system that uses five hitters and one setter.
Floater: A serve with no spin so the ball follows an erratic path.
Follow: To move with and block an attacker. Athletes may change positions with
another blocker in the process.
Forearm Pass: Sometimes referred to as the “pass,” “bump” or “dig”.
Four-Two (4-2): An offensive system using four hitters and two setters.
Free ball: Returning the ball to the opponent without the intent to get a kill. Usually a
slow, arcing pass or “roll” shot rather than a spike.
Front: Position of a blocker so that she/he can block the attacker.
Front-row: Three players whose court position is in front of the attack line (3M/10
Foot), near the net. These players are in positions 2, 3 & 4 on the court.
 

Game plan: Offensive and defensive emphasis for an opponent. Usually organized

for each rotation by the coaching staff.

Held ball: A ball that comes to rest during contact resulting in a violation.
Hit: One of the 6 basic skills. To jump and strike the ball with an overhand, forceful
shot.
Hitter: Also “spiker” or “attacker.” The player who is responsible for hitting the ball.
Hitting percentage: A statistic derived from total kills minus total attack errors,
divided by total attempts.

Joust: When 2 opposing players contact the ball simultaneously above the net causing
the ball to momentarily come to rest; the point is replayed if this is called by the
official.
Jump serve: The server uses an approach, toss, takeoff and serves the ball with a
spiking motion while in the air. There are two main types: jump float, jump spin.

Key player/play : To discern a team’s best player or probable next play by observation
of patterns or habits.
Kill: An attack that results directly in a point or sideout.

 
L

Libero: A player specialized in defensive skills. This player must wear a contrasting
jersey color from his or her teammates and cannot block or attack the ball when it is
entirely above net height. When the ball is not in play, the libero can replace any
back-row player without prior notice to the officials.
Lines: The marks that serve as boundaries of a court. 2 inches (5cm) wide.
Linesman: Officials located at the corners of the court; each linesman is responsible
for ruling if the ball is legally in play along the lines for which he or she is
responsible. For indicating touches and play outside of the antennae on their side of
net.
Lineup: Players starting rotation and, therefore, serving order. Numbered 1,2,3,4,5,6.
Line serve: A straight-ahead serve landing near the opponent’s left sideline.
Line shot: A ball spiked along an opponent’s sideline, closest to the hitter and outside
the block.
Load: Body position for the blockers so that they are most effective.

Middle back: A defensive system that uses the middle back player in 6 to cover deep
spikes. Also called “6 back” defense.
Middle blocker: Usually plays in the middle of the net when in the front row and
moves laterally to her blocking assignments.
Middle Up: A defensive system that uses the middle-back player in 6 to cover tips or
short shots along the 3 meter/10 foot line. Also called a “6 up” defense
Mintonette: The original name of the game of volleyball, created by William
Morgan.

Net Height: Women – 7 feet, 4-1/8 inches high (2.24m),

Men – 7 feet, 11-5/8 inches high (2.43m).

 
O

Off-blocker: Outside blocker not included in the double block. Also called off-side
blocker.
Off-Speed Shots: An attack that is intentionally slow. Ball spiked with less than
maximum force but with spin. Also called “roll” shot.
Opposite: Player who plays opposite the setter in the rotation. In some systems, this
player is also a setter. In other systems, this player is called a right-side.
Outside hitter: Usually plays at the ends of the net when in the front row. Also called
right-side (opposite) or left side (power).
Overhand pass: A pass with both hands open that is controlled by the fingers, with
the face below the ball. Both hands simultaneously contact the ball above the head
and direct it to the intended target.
Overhand serve: Serving the ball and striking it with the hand above the shoulder.
Float or spin.
Overlap: A violation called if a team is lined up out of rotation when the ball is
served.
Overpass: A ball passed across the net.
Overset: An errant set that crosses the net without being touched by another offensive
player.

Pass: One of the 6 basic skills. Receiving a serve or the first contact of the ball with
the intent to control the ball to another player. Also called a “bump”.
Pancake: One-hand floor defensive technique where the hand is extended and slid
along the floor palm down while the player dives or extension rolls so the ball
bounces off the back of the hand and is considered legal.
Party ball: When the ball is passed across the net in front of attack line so the front-
row attacker can immediately hit the ball on the first contact.
Penetration: The blocker’s ability to reach over the net above the opponent’s court.
Perimeter: Backcourt defense where 4 players arrange themselves near the
boundaries of the court.
Pipe: A back-row attack from the middle of the court. Position 6.
Play: An attack with a planned fake, usually including 2 or more hitter.

 
Q

Quick set: An extremely low vertical set used to beat the opponent’s block. Can be
set at any position on the net.

Rally scoring: Scoring method where points can be won by the serving or receiving
team.
Ready position: The flexed, yet comfortable, posture a player assumes before
moving to the point of contact.
Red card: Given by the official to a player or coach for flagrant misconduct resulting
in a point/side out to the opponent. Results in automatic ejection and a point/side out
for the opponent.
Roof: To block a spike, usually straight down for a point.
Rotation: The clockwise movement of players around the court and through the
serving position following a side out. Players must retain their initial rotational order
throughout the entire game, but once the ball is contacted on serve they are allowed to
move anywhere.

Seam: The mid-point between 2 players.

Serve: One of the 6 basic skills. Used to put the ball into play. It is the only skill
controlled exclusively by one player.
Set: One of the 6 basic skills. The tactical skill in which a ball is directed to a point
where a player can spike it into the opponent’s court. Sets can be set at different
heights and different locations on the net and offensively there are names for each of
these. First number is location on net and second number height of set. (Example: 13.)
Sets can also be named.
Set attack: When a setter attempts to score rather than set the ball to a setter. Also
called a shoot set. Setter: The second passer whose job it is to position a pass to the
hitter.
Shallow: Near the net.
Shank: Severely misdirected pass.
Side out: Change of service when a serving team has failed to score a point. Occurs
when the receiving team successfully puts the ball away against the
serving team, or when the serving team commits an unforced error.
Six-pack: Being hit in the face with the ball.
Six-two (6-2): An offense with four spikers and two spiker/setters. Setter comes from
the back row.
Slide/step: A quick attack behind the setter.
Spike: Also called a hit or attack. A ball contacted with force by a player on the
offensive team who intends to terminate the ball on the opponent’s floor or off the
opponent’s blocker.
Split block: A double-block that leaves a space between the blockers.
Stuff: A ball deflected back to the attacking team’s floor by the opponent’s blockers.
Substitution: Allows one player to replace another player already on the court. Rules
dictate number of subs each team is allowed.
Switch: To change court positions after a ball is served to facilitate strongest player
positions.

Tandem: A combination in which one player attacks immediately behind another.

Tape: The top of the net.
Telegraph: To show one’s intention to the opponents.
Three-meter line: The line extended across the court to signify the point which a
back-row player must leave the ground behind to attack the ball. Also call “attack
line” and 10-foot line
Tip: A one-handed, soft hit into the opponent’s court using the fingertips. Also called
a dink.
Tool: When an attacker hits the ball off an opposing blocker’s arms out of bounds.
Also called a wipe.
Touch: A player contacting the ball on the defensive play.
Transition: To switch from offense to defense and vice versa.
Triple-block: Block formed by all 3 front-row players.

Underhand serve: A serve performed with an underhand striking action. The ball is
usually contacted with the heel of the hand.

 
W

W serve-receive formation: Three players in the front row, two in the back.

Wipe: To deliberately spike the ball off an opponent’s hands and out of bounds. Also
called a tool.

Yellow Card: Given by the official to a player or coach as a warning of misconduct.

Two yellow cards result in an automatic red card.

Volleyball Equipment & Facilities 

Volleyball Court Dimensions

The Volleyball court is 60 feet by 30 feet in total. The net in

placed in the center of the court, making each side of the net 30
feet by 30 feet.
Center Line

A center line is marked at the center of the court dividing it

equally into 30 feet squares, above which the net is placed.

Attack Line

An attack line is marked 10 feet of each side of the center line.

Service Line

A service line, the area from which the server may serve the
volleyball, is marked 10 feet inside the right sideline on each
back line.

Ball

The ball used for volleyball is smaller than the basketball bladder that was used
originally. For indoor volleyball, it should have a circumference between 65 and
67 cm when fully inflated to an inner pressure between 4.3 and 4.6 lbs. psi. Once
inflated, the ball must weigh between 260 and 280 g.

The Net

The net is placed directly above the center line, 7 feet 4 inches
above the ground for women and 8 feet above the ground for
men.
Poles

Volleyball poles should be set at 36 feet apart, 3 feet further out

from the sidelines.

Ceiling Height

The minimum ceiling height should be 23 feet, though they

should preferably be higher.

The Fundamental Skills

Volleyball is a sport that requires you to master a complex skill set.

Because you rotate from playing front line positions to back line positions,

you constantly are shifting from setting up offensive plays to completing

offensive plays. You also must shift quickly from offense to defense.

During any given sequence in volleyball, a player must be prepared to

execute a variety of skills.

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.

Passing

Passing 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.

Setting

Setting, or overhead passing, typically is the second shot in a three-shot

sequence. A properly executed set is placed close and above the net. 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.
Hitting

Generally, you 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. 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

Blocking is a defensive play 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.
Serving
All volleyball players should know proper techniques for serving floaters and
jump serves. Servers should spend time practicing a pre-serve
routine. Developing a routine will help servers focus and be ready to serve.

The basic volleyball techniques for serving are...

 Toss the ball in front of your serving shoulder.

 Keep your elbow high and back.
 Contact the middle of the ball with the middle of your hand.
 Follow through on your armswing.

These are just guidelines. If you have better success serving a different way,
that's fine, do what works best.

A clean solid contact is key to a good floater. I know when I'm struggling
getting a solid contact on my float serve, I'll contact the ball with more of a
bent elbow.

I feel this gives me a little more of a window for adjusting to the height of
the toss to get that solid contact.

For example, if I were to try and contact the ball with an extend arm every
time I serve, the height of my toss would be more critical to getting a good
solid contact.

Passing
Common volleyball techniques for great passing include...

Keep your body's center of gravity level when moving. Basically, you want
to be light on your feet when getting in position to pass.

Being able to take steps without bouncing off the ground is important
because it's harder to focus on the ball when you're bouncing up and down.

Strong eccentric quadriceps strength leads to a better ability to absorb the

force from the ground when taking steps.

Form a solid platform with your forearms. Extend your arms while locking
your elbows and turning your hands down at the wrists. You want to form a
solid platform that provides stability.
Use your hips and legs to pass, not the arms. Being able to move quickly
into position is very important.

Concentrate on getting into a stable position quickly, every time you pass. If
you utilize this technique every time you pass, with repetition you will train
yourself to be a better passer.

If you don't have very good movement skills or are just lazy when moving to
pass, you'll have to adjust your technique on the fly which will lead to fewer
consistent passes.

Setting
Volleyball techniques for setting consists of the following steps.

 Get to the target. The second ball is always the setters. Seeing as

though they know this ahead of time, setters should be lined up properly
and ready to move to the target.
 Be ready to move from the target. If possible, take your first step
directly to where the ball is being passed.The better judgment the setter
has, the better job they will do in moving straight to where the ball is
going. If they leave too early or they make a bad judgment, they'll step in
the wrong direction and not make it there as quickly.

 Beat the ball to the spot. Setters should try anticipating where the
ball is going to be passed. By paying attention to how tough the serve is and
watching the way their passer is handling the ball, they may get a good read
on the pass.
 Stop and set. Everything done up until now dictates how well the
setter is able to stop and set. Obviously, in many situations the setter will
need to be moving while setting.But ideally, the setter should get there and
transfer weight from the left to right foot when setting the ball.

Attacking at the Net

Develop consistent footwork. Volleyball techniques for the approach
consist of 3 or 4 foot steps. The 3 step approach would be, left-right-left for
right handed attackers, right-left-right for left handed attackers.  volleyball
techniques player approaching Before training players to develop a
consistent 4 step approach or 3 step approach, it may be best to first work
on just the last two steps.
Your last two steps are the ones that matter the most. First concentrate on
learning the last two before working on 3 or 4 step approaches.

1. Approaching quick. To jump high, you’ve got to move fast. Really focus

on stepping quickly (especially the last couple) in order to maximize your
jump height.

2. Swing your arms back. By swinging your arms back you will take
advantage of elastic energy and your nervous systems stretch reflex which
can add inches to your vertical.

3. Bring both your arms up. By bring both your arms up you will continue
with the momentum of going up which will help maximizing your
height.Also, you will be in a better body position to hit.

4. Contact the ball in front of your hitting shoulder. It's best to contact

the ball at the same spot every time you hit. This develops a consistent
armswing.

Volleyball techniques of a hitters footwork (jumping from the correct spot)

have a big influence on you hitting the ball in your sweet spot.

5. Put top-spin on the ball. Being able to put top-spin on the ball when you
hit allows you to have better angles when hitting, thus more court to hit
into.

This is often called snapping the wrist when contacting the ball.

Blocking
Volleyball techniques for blocking involve learning to see the court and
making quick decisions at the net when preparing to block.

Having good court vision involves making good judgments while watching
the setter, the ball, and hitters.

Good court vision. You often can predict where the setter is going to set
the ball by watching the ball after it's passed.

The better you are able to judge where the ball is being passed, the better
you can predict what the setter is going to do with it.

Watching the setter and hitters is critical to getting in the best position to
block.
Identify the front row players. All the blockers should know who the front
row players are before the serve.

Also, identify the setter as front row or back row to know if the setter can
legally attack the second ball.

The volleyball techniques shuffle and crossover step are used to move into
optimal blocking position.

Shuffle step. The shuffle technique is probably easiest because the hips
stay square to the net.

Crossover step. The crossover is harder because you turn your hips during
the movement and you need to get squared back up to the net before you
jump.

The crossover is better for when you have to travel far to get in position to
block because you can get there faster than shuffling.

Jump straight up, and penetrate the net

Blockers need good balance and stability to develop a consistent block
jump.

The better a blocker is at jumping up and not floating, the better they will
be at staying out of the net and penetrating their block into the opponent's
space.

Wide fingers and thumbs up when blocking. Keep the fingers spread wide
and tight and thumbs pointing up to prevent jamming your fingers.

Spreading your fingers wide will also allow you to take up more space.

Volleyball techniques for your blocking hands.Angle your hands to block

the ball into your opponents court. The outside blocker should reach and
penetrate a little more with the outside hand.

This will give that outside hand a little better angle for blocking the ball
into the court and not out of bounds. If you're confident you won't block the
ball back out of bounds, it's always a good idea to surround the ball with
your hands when blocking.

Digging
Start in a defensive position lined up around the block. Know what area
your blockers are going to take up (line or angle).

The basics of volleyball techniques for digging...

 Be up on your toes and on the balls of your feet, not on your heels.

 Be ready to get in a stable position to dig a hard driven ball.

 Be ready to move to run down a shot or tip.

 Arms are bent and in front of you ready to react to dig a ball with
your forearms or to play a ball overhead.

 Eyes are focused on the hitter watching for any hint as to what they
are going to do.

Cushion hard driven balls. You should try to absorb the hit with your arms
to keep the ball on your side of the net.

If you can keep the ball on your side, your team has a better chance of
winning the rally with your setter setting an attacker.

Volleyball techniques for going to the floor. Players are encouraged to stay
on their feet