Rules
There are many different rules for this sport, to keep it organized, clear and so that there is no confusion. The rules go about every second of the play. How the players are rotated and where they have to stand, rules about serving, how many times you can touch the ball, even about how you have to touch the ball. Most people start volleyball from a very early age and learn the rules gradually as they get better and better. And if you want to play this sport, it’s very important you learn these rules. That’s why I will give a breakdown on the most important rules of volleyball.

Let’s start at the beginning with the rules for the volleyball court. It’s important that every court has the same dimensions so that everyone can play fairly. Every volleyball court has to be 9 meters wide and 18 meters tall. This is only for the senior teams though, younger kids have a smaller court with different dimensions. In every court there is also a line 3 meters from the center line. This line is important because the players in the back cannot step on or over the line until after they strike or play the ball. The line is equally important to the libero, who is not allowed to play an overhand ball when over this line.

Then, player numbers. There’s a maximum amount of 6 players allowed on the court. Typically there are 3 players in the front at the net and 3 in the back of the field. The coaches are allowed to have 5 different subs in a set, not counting the libero and a mid player. Those can switch throughout the sets and the whole game, but only after the mid player has served the ball. The libero is not allowed to serve the ball and is just there to pass.

Next, we have boundary lines. There are back, side and center lines on the court. The rules on the lines are the same as with tennis, when the ball hits the ground on the line it is considered an inside ball and the point goes to the team that played that ball. For the center line: players are not allowed to step on or over it. This is seen as a fault and the point will go to the other team. Because of these rules it is important that the referee is on a high point, so they can see all the lines clearly.

Then we go to the serving rules. Players all have 8 seconds to serve the ball to the other side after the referee blows the whistle. Everyone is allowed to play both an under- or overhand ball. Most people do the overhand ball, since it is harder to return. It is however, also harder to do, so kids begin to learn this serve ball when they’re about 12, depending on their level. Players are also not allowed to step on or over this line (the back line) until after striking the ball. You also only get one opportunity for this ball so it has to be good: over the net and inside of the side and back lines. When this doesn’t happen, the point goes to the other team.

The team rotation. Every team has to rotate clockwise when receiving serve after winning a point. So every serve team members stand on a different spot on the field. This is only their starting position though and you move to your fixed position (always at the left side for the outside hitter and right for the setter.) either after serve or after the first pass has been made.

Every play has a maximum number of hits. You have 3 hits to return the ball to the other side of the net. When you make more, it is a point for the other team. The first hit is the pass when you receive the serve. This pass goes to the setter, who then has the second hit and plays this ball to an outside hitter. The outside hitters spike this ball over the net to the other side. The other team can then try to block this ball. Blocking does not count as a hit.

There are also rules about net contact. Players are not allowed to touch the net in any way. When this happens the point immediately goes to the other team. The ball is allowed to touch the net though and points can be made if the ball hits the net and just goes over to the other side touching the ground.

Then, double touch. Players are not allowed to hit the ball 2 times in a row without another player hitting the ball in between those hits. This is only allowed when blocking as this is not count as a hit. This rule is important for the team aspect, otherwise you can just play one-on-one. With this rule everyone in the team has to work together.

Also important, the rules about scoring. The first team to get 25 points, with a 2 point difference, wins the set. The 2 point difference can make the points go up to for example 28-30. This isn’t likely, but it can happen. There are 4 sets in the game and you always play all four. When it is 2-2 in sets, there is a tie breaker set that goes to 15 points. So you can win the game with 4-0 in sets, 3-1 or 3-2.

And last but not least, illegal hits. There are certain ways in where you are not allowed to touch the ball. For example carrying the ball, an open palm under the ball or throwing the ball. These ways allow players to touch the ball longer than they’re supposed to, which will lead to a fault and a point to the other team.