Volleyball Rules and Gameplay: A Comprehensive Guide
Volleyball: A Comprehensive Guide
What is Volleyball?
Volleyball is a dynamic sport played between two teams of six players. The objective is to score points by sending the ball over the net and grounding it within the opponent’s court, while preventing the opposing team from doing the same.
Playing Area and Lines
The game takes place on a rectangular court measuring 18 meters by 9 meters, surrounded by a free zone of at least 3 meters on each side. Key lines include:
- Sidelines and End Lines: Define the boundaries of the court.
- Center Line: Divides the court into two equal halves.
- Attack Line: Located 3 meters from the center line on each side, marking the front zone.
Zones and Areas
The court is divided into specific zones and areas with designated functions:
- Front Zone: The area between the attack line and the center line.
- Back Zone: The area behind the attack line.
- Service Zone: The area behind the end line where the server initiates the play.
- Substitution Zone: Designated area for player substitutions.
- Penalty Area: Area for penalized players.
Playing Actions
Ball In Play
The ball is in play from the moment the referee authorizes the serve.
Ball Out of Play
The ball is out of play when a fault is whistled by the referee.
Ball “In”
The ball is considered “in” when it touches the court surface within the boundary lines.
Ball “Out”
The ball is considered “out” when:
- It lands completely outside the boundary lines.
- It touches an object outside the court.
- It touches the antennae, ropes, or posts of the net outside the sidebands.
- It crosses the vertical plane of the net outside the crossing space.
- It crosses completely under the net.
Faults in Playing the Ball
- Four Hits: A team hits the ball four times before returning it.
- Assisted Hit: A player uses support from a teammate or object to reach the ball.
- Catch: A player catches or throws the ball rather than hitting it cleanly.
- Double Hit: A player hits the ball twice in succession or the ball contacts various parts of their body.
Net Contact Faults
- Touching the net during play, except when blocking or attempting to play a ball that has been attacked by the opponent.
- Reaching over the net to interfere with the opponent’s play.
- Penetrating into the opponent’s space under the net.
Attack Hit Faults
- Hitting the ball into the opponent’s court outside the designated attack zone.
- Hitting the ball out of bounds.
- A back-row player completing an attack hit while in the front zone and the ball is entirely above the net.
- A libero completing an attack hit when the ball is entirely above the net.