Volleyball History and Rules
History:
In 1885, William G. Morgan, an instructor at the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in
Holyoke, Mass., decided to blend elements of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball to create a
game for his classes of businessmen which would demand less physical contact than basketball. He
created the game of Volleyball (at that time called mintonette). Morgan borrowed the net from tennis,
and raised it 6 feet 6 inches above the floor, just above the average man's head. During a
demonstration game, someone remarked to Morgan that the players seemed to be volleying the ball
back and forth over the net, and perhaps "volleyball" would be a more descriptive name for the sport.
On July 7, 1896 at Springfield College the first game of "volleyball" was played.
● 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) were introduced.
● 1920 - three hits per side and back row attack rules were instituted.
● 1930 - the first two-man beach game was played.
● 1934 - the approval and recognition of national volleyball referees.
● 1964 - Volleyball was introduced to the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
● 1996 - 2-person beach volleyball was added to the Olympics.
The Game:
In volleyball, there are six positions on the court. Players get to play all six positions. Each time the
team gets the ball back to serve, the players rotate one position clockwise. The player in the right
back position, gets to be the next server. Each team is allowed up to three hits to return the ball,
however the third hit must put the ball over the net.
Cues for Bump Pass:
● Make a platform & lock elbows
● Hold both hands out with your palms facing up
● Keep your fingers together but your thumbs spread and facing the outside
● Contact ball with both arms simultaneously
● Shrug shoulders and straighten knees without swinging up at ball
● Move feet to get under the ball
● One foot in front of the other with knees bent
● Aim your arms towards the top of the net and not to the ceiling
● Keep the head up and eyes on the ball
Cues for Set Pass:
● Elbows high
● Make a diamond shape with your hands using your thumb and index fingers
● Bend Knees
● Quick “catch” and push with your fingers (do not hold ball)
● Extend your arms and wrist
● Pretend you are catching a water balloon to help you get the feel of not “stabbing” at the ball
Cues for Underhand Serve:
● Face your target
● Hold the ball in medium space with your non-striking hand (imagine the ball sitting on a
batting tee)
● Use a bowling motion (step with the opposite foot and bring your striking hand back)
● As your open hand comes forward, strike the ball with the heel of your hand
● Do not toss the ball in the air during the striking motion
● Follow through toward your target
Scoring:
● Rally scoring will be used.
● There will be a point scored on every score of the ball.
● The Offense will score on a defense miss or out of bounds hit.
● The Defense will score on an offensive miss, an out of bounds hit, or serve into the net.
● A game is played to 25 points. Teams must win by 2 points.
Fouls:
The most common infractions are:
● reaching over the net to play a ball
● crossing the centerline when the ball is in play
● touching the net during play
● catching, scooping, or carrying the ball
● a player out of position on the court
● touching or stepping over the serving line
● two consecutive hits by the same player
● spiking the ball from behind the attack line
Terminology:
Ace - When the ball is served to the other team, and no one touches it.
Dig - When a player makes a save from a very difficult spike.
Kill - When a team spikes the ball and it either ends in a point or a sideout.
Side out - When the team that served the ball makes a mistake, causing the ball to go to the other
team. A “side out” will also occur when a foul has been committed.
