How to Play Volleyball

MECHANICS:
 Consists of 2 teams of 6 players each.
 The net divides the court into 2, separating the 2 teams.
 Members of a team must fulfill 6 volleyball positions: the setter, middle blocker, outside
hitter, opposite hitter, libero and serving specialist.
 A coin flip must be done to determine the first team to serve the ball.
 The teams will hit the ball back and forth until a fault occurs.
 Only a maximum of three hits per side is allowed.
 The objective is: to score points by sending the ball over the net, grounding it into the
opposing team’s court.
 The game is made up of sets, each of which must be won by 2 points.
 Typically, 3 or 5 sets occur in matches.
 3-set matches are 2 sets to 25 points and a third set to 15 points.
 5-set matches are 4 sets to 25 points and a fifth set to 15 points.
 The team must win by 2 points unless tournament rules dictate otherwise.
 The first team to win 3 sets is the winner.
RULES:
 Making the serve
- The server must serve from behind the end line until after contact.
- Ball may be served underhand or overhand.
- Served ball may graze the net and drop to the other side for a point.
- First game serve is determined by a volley; each subsequent game shall be served by the
previous game loser.
- Serve must be returned by a bump only. No setting or attacking a serve.
 Playing the game (Volley):
- Maximum of three (3) hits per side.
- A block is not considered a hit.
- Ball may be played off the net during volley and on serve.
- A ball touching a boundary line is good (still considered a point.)
- If two or more players contact the ball simultaneously, it is considered one play and the
players involved may not participate in the next play.
- A player must not block or attack a serve. (They can only receive/bump the ball.)
- Switching positions will be allowed only between front line players. (This can be done
after the serve has been made.)

VIOLATIONS:
 Stepping on or over the line during a serve.
 Hitting the ball illegally (carrying, palming, throwing, etc.)
 Touches of the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play. (If the ball is
driven into the net with such force that it causes the net to contact an opposing player, no
foul will be called, and the ball shall continue to be in play.)
  Reaching over the net, except under these conditions.
- When executing a follow-through.
- When blocking a ball which is in the opponent’s court but is being returned (the blocker
must not contact the ball until after the opponent who is attempting to return the ball
makes contact), except to block the third play.
- Reaches under the net (if it interferes with the ball or opposing player).
- Failure to serve in correct order.
- Blocks or spikes from a position which is clearly not behind the 10 ft. line while in a
back row position.
 Crossing is not allowed. Players should not step on the other side of the court.
 The Libero is not allowed to position in the front line. (The Libero will be subbed out
if his next rotation is in the frontline.)
 All Violations are considered a point and will be given to the opposing team.

SOURCES:
 https://www.theartofcoachingvolleyball.com/basic-volleyball-rules-and-terminology/
 https://www.carlisle.k12.ma.us/Page/808