Volleyball Rules and Regulations
Playing Area
Playing Court Dimensions: The playing court is a rectangle measuring 18 x 9 meters, surrounded by a free zone which is a minimum of 3 meters wide on all sides.
Free Playing Space: The space above the playing area, free from any obstructions, must measure a minimum of 7 meters in height from the playing surface.
Lines on the Court
- Boundary Lines: Two side lines and two end lines mark the playing court. Both side lines and end lines are drawn inside the dimensions of the playing court.
- Center Line: Divides the playing court into two equal courts measuring 9 x 9 meters each. This line extends beneath the net from sideline to sideline.
- Attack Line: On each court, an attack line is drawn 3 meters back from the center line, marking the front zone.
Net Height
Placed vertically over the center line, the top of the net is set at a height of 2.43 meters for men and 2.24 meters for women.
Scoring
A team scores a point by:
- Successfully grounding the ball on the opponent’s court.
- When the opponent team commits a fault.
If the serving team wins a rally, it scores a point and continues to serve. If the receiving team wins a rally, it scores a point and must serve next.
Winning a Set and Match
- A set (except the deciding 5th set) is won by the team that first scores 25 points with a minimum lead of two points. In the case of a 24-24 tie, play continues until a two-point lead is achieved (26-24; 27-25; …).
- The match is won by the team that wins three sets. In the case of a 2-2 tie, the deciding 5th set is played to 15 points with a minimum lead of 2 points.
The Toss
Before the match, the first referee carries out a toss to decide upon the first service and the sides of the court in the first set. If a deciding set is to be played, a new toss will be carried out. The toss is taken in the presence of the two team captains. The winner of the toss chooses:
- The right to serve or to receive the service.
- The side of the court.
The loser takes the remaining choice.
Player Positions
There must always be six players per team in play. At the moment the ball is hit by the server, each team must be positioned within its own court. The positions of the players are numbered as follows:
- The three players along the net are front-row players (delanteros) and occupy positions 4 (front-left), 3 (front-center), and 2 (front-right).
- The other three are back-row players (defensores or zagueros) occupying positions 5 (back-left), 6 (back-center), and 1 (back-right).
After the service hit, the players may move around and occupy any position on their court.
Rotation
When the receiving team has gained the right to serve, its players rotate one position clockwise.
Ball “Out”
The ball is “out” when:
- The part of the ball which contacts the floor is completely outside the boundary lines.
- It touches an object outside the court, the ceiling, or a person out of play.
Team Hits
A hit is any contact with the ball by a player in play. The ball may touch any part of the body. The ball must not be caught and thrown. The team is entitled to a maximum of three hits for returning the ball. If more are used, the team commits the fault of “Four Hits.”
- A player may not hit the ball two times consecutively (“Double Contact”).
- Two or three players may touch the ball at the same moment (“Simultaneous Contacts”). When two or three teammates touch the ball simultaneously, it is counted as two (or three) hits (with the exception of blocking).
- A player is not permitted to take support from a teammate or any structure/object in order to hit the ball.
Player at the Net
- Reaching Beyond the Net: In blocking, a player may touch the ball beyond the net, provided that he/she does not interfere with the opponent’s play before or during the latter’s attack hit. After an attack hit, a player is permitted to pass his/her hand beyond the net, provided that the contact has been made within his/her own playing space.
- Penetration Under the Net: It is permitted to penetrate into the opponent’s space under the net, provided that this does not interfere with the opponent’s play.