Volleyball is a popular team sport played by two teams on a court divided by a net.

The
objective of the game is to score points by grounding the ball on the opponent's court and
preventing them from doing the same. Here's a comprehensive look at volleyball:

1. History:

●​ Inventor: William G. Morgan, a physical education director at the Young Men's Christian
Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA, 1 invented volleyball in 1895.
●​ Original Name: Initially, the game was called "mintonette."
●​ Inspiration: Morgan wanted to create a less strenuous indoor sport than basketball for
older members. He combined elements of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball.
●​ The Name Change: During a demonstration, a professor from Springfield College noted
the "volleying" nature of the game and suggested the name "volleyball."
●​ Early Rules: Morgan established the initial rules, and the game quickly spread through
YMCAs in the US and internationally.
●​ International Growth: American troops introduced volleyball to Europe during World
War I. The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the international governing
body, was founded in 1947.
●​ Olympic Inclusion: Volleyball became an official Olympic sport for both men and
women at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
●​ Beach Volleyball: A variation played on sand with two players per team, originated in
California in the 1930s and became an Olympic sport in 1996.

2. Basic Rules:

●​ Players: Each team has six players on the court at a time in indoor volleyball. Beach
volleyball has two players per team.
●​ Court: The indoor court is rectangular, measuring 18 meters (59 feet) long by 9 meters
(29.5 feet) wide, divided into two equal halves by a net.
●​ Net: The net is placed vertically over the center line. The top of the net is 2.43 meters (7
feet 11.69 inches) high for men's competitions and 2.24 meters (7 feet 4.13 inches)
high for women's competitions.
●​ Scoring System: Volleyball uses rally scoring, meaning a point is scored on every
rally, regardless of which team served.
○​ Sets are typically played to 25 points, with the winning team needing to be
ahead by at least two points.
○​ A match is usually the best of five sets. If the match goes to a fifth set, it is
played to 15 points with a two-point advantage rule.
●​ Gameplay:
○​ The game begins with a serve by one team from behind the rear boundary line.
○​ The receiving team attempts to pass the ball to a teammate, who then sets the
ball for an attacker to spike it over the net into the opponent's court.
 ○​ Teams have a maximum of three contacts to return the ball over the net (a block
does not count as a contact).
○​ Players cannot hit the ball twice in succession.
○​ Players cannot touch the net while the ball is in play.
○​ Foot faults occur if a server steps on or over the service line while serving.
○​ Double hits, carrying (allowing the ball to rest on the hand), and lifting the ball
are illegal.
●​ Rotation: In indoor volleyball, after the serving team loses a rally, the receiving team
gains the serve, and its players rotate one position clockwise. This ensures all players
get a chance to serve and play different positions.

3. Player Positions (Indoor Volleyball):

Volleyball teams typically employ a combination of specialized roles:

●​ Setter: The playmaker of the team, responsible for receiving the second touch and
setting the ball for the attackers. They need excellent hand-eye coordination, quick
decision-making skills, and strong communication.
●​ Outside Hitter (Left Hitter): Usually the primary attacker on the team, responsible for
hitting from the left side of the net. They need strong jumping ability, hitting power, and
good passing and defensive skills.
●​ Opposite Hitter (Right Hitter): Plays opposite the setter and is a key attacker and
blocker on the right side. They need to be versatile, with strong offensive and defensive
skills.
●​ Middle Blocker (Middle Hitter): Primarily responsible for blocking the opponent's
attacks in the middle of the net. They are usually the tallest players on the team and also
contribute offensively with quick attacks.
●​ Libero: A defensive specialist who wears a different colored jersey and can substitute
for any back-row player without counting as a regular substitution. They excel in passing,
digging (playing low balls), and back-row defense but cannot serve, block, or attack the
ball above the net from the front row.
●​ Defensive Specialist: Similar to the libero, focusing on defense and passing, but follows
regular substitution rules. They often substitute for front-row players when they rotate to
the back row.

4. Key Skills:

●​ Serving: Initiating the rally by hitting the ball over the net. Different types of serves
include underhand, overhand, jump serve, and float serve.
●​ Passing (Bump): Usually the first contact after a serve or attack, using the forearms to
direct the ball to the setter. Accurate passing is crucial for setting up the offense.
●​ Setting: The second contact, using the hands to guide the ball into a position for an
attacker to hit. Requires precise handwork and strategic thinking.
 ●​ Attacking (Spiking): Jumping and hitting the ball forcefully over the net into the
opponent's court. Different attack techniques exist, such as line shots, cross-court shots,
and tips.
●​ Blocking: A defensive play by one or more front-row players to intercept the ball as it
crosses the net. Effective blocking can prevent the opponent from scoring and redirect
the ball back into their court.
●​ Digging: Making a defensive play to recover a spiked ball and keep it in play. Requires
quick reflexes and agility.

5. Essential Equipment:

●​ Volleyball: A spherical ball made of leather or synthetic material, with a circumference of

65-67 cm and weighing 260-280 grams. Indoor and outdoor volleyballs have slightly
different constructions.
●​ Net and Poles: The net divides the court, and poles support it at the sidelines. Padding
is often used on the poles for safety. Antennas are attached to the net at the sidelines to
help judge if a ball is in or out.
●​ Volleyball Court: A flat playing surface with specific dimensions and markings for
boundaries, attack lines, and service areas. Courts can be indoor (wood or synthetic) or
outdoor (sand, grass, or other surfaces).
●​ Uniforms: Jerseys, shorts, and socks for each team to distinguish players. Jerseys often
have numbers on the front and back.
●​ Volleyball Shoes: Designed for the sport with gum rubber soles for excellent traction
and lateral support.
●​ Protective Gear:
○​ Knee pads: To protect knees during dives and falls.
○​ Ankle braces: To provide support and prevent ankle injuries.
○​ Elbow pads and arm sleeves: Some players wear these for extra padding.
○​ Sports tape: Used on fingers for added strength and protection.
●​ Other Equipment: Referee stand, scoreboards, and line markers.

Volleyball is a dynamic and exciting sport that combines athleticism, strategy, and teamwork.
Whether played indoors or on the beach, it offers a great way to stay active and enjoy
competitive play.