Everyone from elementary school to high school had to participate at least once in volleyball. It is a classic sport that is not only played in the United States but rather all around the world. However, unless you grew up to be a professional volleyball player or at least part of a volleyball team, you probably never really learned the real rules of volleyball. The generic rule that everyone knows is that the ball cannot touch the ground. From there as children, we made up our own unique volleyball hits and movements and did not really pay attention to the other rules that are crucial to the game. In the following article, you will read about the various rules of volleyball.

The history of volleyball dates back to 1895 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Even though alternative versions of the sport have been around forever, the most modern form of volleyball was first played in 1895. It was originally called Mintonette and was created by William G. Morgan who was the director at the YMCA in Holyoke. It was a mix between handball and tennis, with its own unique touches. In 1896, it was officially known as volleyball after a game had been played at Springfield College. Throughout the years, volleyball became popular among different countries and the rules and regulations have been fine tuned to how they are currently established.

The rules of the court include being played on a space marked 18 meters long by 9 metes wide. It is then divided equally in half for each team to play on with a net that divides the two sides of the court. The net is one meter and it is placed 2.24 meters above the court’s center in women’s competition and 2.24 meters in men’s competition. There is a line marked three meters away from the net on both sides which is where the front row of players are placed.

In this division, the rotation is created. The player in the back row and all the way to the right is the number one position where the server is. To the server’s left is the 6 position and to the left of that player is the number 5 position. In front of 5 is the 4 position player and to his or her right is the 3 player. To the left of the 3 player and in front of the server is the 2 position. This is a mandatory rotation while the team is in control of the serve.

Therefore, each team consists of six players to fill in the six rotation spots which move in this order: 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 6, etc. Play is started by flipping a coin and the winning side serves the ball. The object is to hit the ball from the server’s position onto the other side by passing over the net. The opposing side may hit the ball up to three times within its team and no member can hit the ball twice in a row. Volleying then occurs where each side has up to three combo shots to hit it over the net.

The volleyball rules state that if the ball touches the net on the serve, the serve is redone. If the ball hits the net while in play it is a good ball and the opposite side must volley it back. If the ball hits the ground within the court regulations, the point goes to the opposing team and they continue to serve. When the ball hits the ground of the team who was not serving, than the serve goes to that team but no point is scored. Each time a team is serving and the ball hits the ground of the opposite side, a point is earned.

This is a simplified version of the rules of volleyball as they are very complex depending on the level of play you are at. These are a good basis to get you started correctly.