VOLLEYBALL

By: Dr. Charles H. Nillos

HISTORY OF VOLLEYBALL

According to Shondell and McManama (1971) the game volleyball was created by William G.
Morgan, a Physical Director of the YMCA at Holeyoke, Massachusetts in 1895. In experimenting this
game, Mr. Morgan do not have any idea that the result would produce a sport which is not only popular
in USA but all over the world. Mr. Morgan was just hunting for a game for elderly men because the
available games were strenuous and need too much space and equipments.

Tennis was the basis for this new game. He raised the net and used the basketball bladder to
place of the tennis ball and substituted the hands for the tennis racket. But the weight of the basketball
is to much that’s why Mr. Morgan replaced with a smaller and lighter ball which has made to his
specification. MINTONETTE was the former name of volleyball and was played by means of hitting the
ball with the use of the long handled racket while the ball is still on the top of the net which measured 6
feet and 6 inches high. It can play of any numbers of players and played innings as a way of scoring.

But later, the word volleyball was suggested by D.A. F Halsted of Springfield, Massachusetts and
from that time, the game was officially called volleyball. And by the experiments, the size of the court,
the height of the net, numbers of players and various other details were determined. Dr. George Fisher
edited and published by the American Sports Publishing Company in 1917 incorporated the first
volleyball guide and rule book of volleyball.

The first YMCA volleyball tournament was sponsored in 1922 at Brooklyn, New York with
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, carrying off with the honors among the twenty three (23) competing teams.
New York and Buffalo club took the championship honors in the first National AAU tournament held at
the Buffalo in 1927. Volleyball was introduced in Asia by Dr. Gray, director of YMCA I Calcuta, India. And
in 1903 in Shanghai, China and after several years it was introduced in Japan.

But finally in Manila 1910, volleyball was introduced by Elwood Brown, a director of YMCA in
Manila and after a few years, volleyball became popular not only in Manila but also throughout the
country. And in 1913, a memorable event was held in Manila in the Philippines and hosted the Far East
Games and won the championships for both men and women. And in 1921, the first National open
volleyball championship was held at the Meralco Gymnasium.

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENTS

1. PLAYING COURT

Dimensions - The playing court is a rectangle measuring 18 x 9 meter surrounded by a free zone
at least 2 meter (3 meter in open court) and with a space free form any obstructions to a height
of at least 7 meter from the playing surface. For official international competitions, the free
zone shall measure at least 12.5 meter in height from the playing surface.

Playing Surface - The surface must be flat, horizontal, and uniform. It must not present any
danger of injury of the players. It is forbidden to play on rough or slippery surfaces. On indoor
courts, the surface of the playing courts must be a light color, while on outdoor courts a slope
of 5 millimeter per meter is allowed for drainage. Court lines made of solid materials are
forbidden.

Center Line – The axis of the center line divides the playing court into two equal courts
measuring 9 meter x 9 meter each. This line extends, beneath the net from side line to side line.

Zone Lines – Attack lines and front zones. On each court, the front is limited by the attack line
(its width included) 3 meters parallel to the middle of the center line. Beyond the side lines,
both attack lines and front are considered to be extended indefinitely.

Boundary Lines – All lines are 5 millimeter in width. The lines must be light and of a different
color from the floor and any other lines. Two side lines and two end lines shall mark the playing
court. Both side and end lines are included in the 18 meter x 9 meter playing court.

2. Net – The net shall be made of 10 centimeter square dark stitches. A rope is thread through
the bottom of the net and is tied to the poles to tense the net. Vertical Side bands – Two tapes
of white material 5 centimeter wide and 1 meter long shall be fastened, one on each side of the
end of the net perpendicular to the intersection of the respective side line and to the axis of the
center line. Both side bands shall be considered as part of the net.

3. Antennae – Each is fastened on the outer edge of each vertical side band extending 80
centimeter above the top of the net on opposite sides of the net. They are considered as part of
the net and have side limits. Height of the net – the height of the net shall be 2.43 meter for
men and 2.24 meter for women. The height of the net shall be measured from the center of the
playing court with a measuring rod. The two ends of the net (over the side lines) must be the
same height from the playing surface and may not exceed the regulation height by more than 2
centimeter.

4. Poles – Two poles, preferably adjustable, round and smooth, with a height of 2.55 meter support the
net, one at each side. They must be fixed to the playing surface at a distance of between 0.05 and 1.00
meter, from the side line. Fixing the poles top the floor by means of wires must be prohibited. The Ball –
The ball shall be spherical, made of flexible leather case with a bladder inside made of rubber or a
similar material. The circumference is 65 to 67 meter. Its weight is 260 to 280 grams. The inside pressure
should be 294 to 319 mbar. All ball used during the match must have the same characteristics regarding
circumference, weight, pressure and type

5. Player ’ s Equipment – These consist of jersey shorts, knee pads, and sports shoes. Shorts must be
uniform, clean and of the same color. Shoes must be light and pliable with rubber or leather soles
without heels. Players ’ jerseys must be numbered from 1 to 15 (preferably 1 to 12). A player is
forbidden to wear any object that may cause an injury to a player, such as jewelry, pins, bracelets and
the like.

SKILLS IN VOLLEYBALL

1. Serving. This is what always starts the game and helps to keep the game. There are two basic
types of serves. One is overhand; where the player will throw the ball in the air first, then hit it.
The second is underhand, where the server will hold the ball and swing their other arm
underneath the ball to hit it. There are a variety of other serves beyond these basics, all which
help to get the ball over the net, and get the game going.

2. Pass or reception. This is usually set up by the setter of the game. It is used in order to take
the ball and give it to the other players on your own team. They will then have the ability to put
the ball to the other side like they want to. You can either pass by the forearm or by hitting the
ball overhead.

3. Tip. A tip is used as a way to trick the other team into thinking that the ball is going further
than it will. The player will hit the ball lightly, making it go over the net but not too far into the
other player's area so that they can't hit it back.

4. Dig. This is the ability for a player to save the ball from hitting the court after it has been
spiked. It usually requires a player to slide underneath the ball on the court or to dive
underneath the ball.

5. Rebound. This occurs when the ball stays on one side, making the players rebound, or take
the ball back.
RULES OF THE GAME
 HOW TO START THE GAME

The game starts off with a coin toss and the team who chose the correct side starts the
game with a serve. That's only for the game that begins the match. As for the others, the games
are just begun with a serve.The match starts by one team serving the ball to the other team. A
service is the act of hitting the ball over the net to the opposing team's court. The player serving
the ball will be standing in the free zone, that area behind the end line which is outside of the
playing area. A player can land inside the court if they are jumping when serving. After serving
the ball they move back into the court area. The play on the ball will continue until the ball
lands or hits the floor either within or outside of the playing area. The player serving the ball
has 8 seconds, after the referee has blown their whistle, to get the ball over the net. They only
get one attempt.
 HOW TO END THE GAME

Volleyball games are not measured in minutes, but in points and sets. But, a five-set
game, with sets going to 25 points and then a final set of 15 points, will usually last for about an
hour to an hour and a half.

Games are determined by the best of five sets. The first four sets are played to 25
points, the final set is played to 15. There is no limit on the score, but there is a minimum two-
point margin required for a team to win a set. If there is a 24-24 tie, the set goes on until one of
the two teams has a 2 point lead and is declared winner of the set. The fifth set is over when
one team has 15 points, and has a lead of 2 points over the opposing team, such as 15-13. If
there is a 14-14 tie, the set goes on until one of the two teams has a 2-point lead and is
declared the winner of the set. The first team to win three sets wins the match.

PLAYERS AND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES

 A team is composed of a maximum of 12 players. Only the players recorded on the score
sheet may participate in the match. They are seated at their own team bench located
beside the scorer’s table. Those in the playing court assume the position as LF ( left
forwarded ), CF ( center forward ), RF ( right forward ), RB ( right back ), CB ( center
back ), LB ( left back ). Only the team members are permitted to sit on the bench during
the match and to participate in the warm .

• Participants must know the official volleyball rules and abide by them. Must accept
referee’s decision with sports manlike conduct. Must behave respectfully and
courteously in the spirit of fair play, towards the officials, opponents, teammates and
spectators. Must refrain from actions aimed at influencing referee’s decisions and
actions at delaying the game. Team Captain Team captain should be indicated in the
score sheet and identified inside the court, another player will be designated as team
captain.

• He should sign the score sheet before and after the game. He should represent his team
in the toss. He is authorized to speak to the referee while the ball is out of play, to ask
authorization to change uniform or equipment; verify position of the teams. If there is a
previously expressed disagreement while the 1st referee, he should or many confirm it
is a protest and record it on the score sheet.