Volleyball Rules

How the Game is played

One team serves the ball over the net to the other team with the intention of placing the ball into
the opponents’ court. The receiving team attempts to return the ball back over the net to place it
back in the serving teams court. The object of the game is to win the match.

Volleyball Game Rules

Basic playing rules
- 6 players on a team, 3 on the front row and 3 on the back row
- Maximum of three hits per side
- Player may not hit the ball twice in succession (A block is not considered a hit)
- Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on a serve
- A ball hitting a boundary line is in
- It is legal to contact the ball with any part of a player’s body
- It is illegal to catch, hold, or throw the ball
- If two or more players contact the ball at the same time, it is considered one play and either
player involved may make the next contact (provided the next contact isn’t the teams 4th
hit)
- A player cannot block or attack a serve from on or inside the 10-foot line
- After the serve, front line players may switch positions at the net
- At higher competition, the officiating crew may be made up of two refs, line judges, scorer,
and an assistant scorer

Out of Bounds
According to the volleyball game rules, the ball is out of bounds if it touches
- The floor completely outside the court
- A wall or an object mounted on a wall
- The ceiling above a nonplaying area
- The antenna
- The net, cables, or ropes outside the antennas
- The referee platform or pole
- A non-playing player that isn't interfering with play
- An object that is hanging from the ceiling and is below 15 ft. and in the referee’s judgement
the ball could not have remained in play

Match
A match is won by the first team to win 3 out of 5 games. Depending on the state, some high schools
still play the best 2 out of 3. As soon as a team wins 3 games, the match is over.

Game
A game is played to 25 points, the first team to 25 wins. Games must be won by at least 2 points. So,
if there is a 24-24 tie, the game shall be played until one team has a two-point lead. If the match
goes to a 5th game, the game is played to 15 points.

Point
A point is scored by a team every time the opponent commits a fault. A point is scored every time
the ball lands in the opponents’ court.

Boundary Lines
The boundary lines form a rectangular shape around the court. The end lines are the short boundary
lines on short sides of the court. The side-lines are the long boundary lines on the long sides of the
court. It is recommended that the courts boundary lines be a colour contrasting the colour of the
court. Lines should be 5 centimetres (2 inches) wide.
The Centre Line
The centre line extends from side-line to side-line underneath the net. The centre line separates the
courts playing area into two equal halves, each 30 by 30 feet.

Attack Lines
The attack lines (3-meter line, attack line, or 10-foot line) are the lines placed 3 meters from the
centreline of the court. The attack line extends from side-line to side-line.

Serving Area
The serving area is the area behind the end line where the server serves. The serving area is 30 ft.
wide (equal to the width of the side lines). Both serving areas should be at least 2 meters (6 feet) in
depth. If 6 feet isn’t available, volleyball game rules require the serving area be extended into the
court the needed distance and marked.

Substitution Zone
The substitution zone is the area between the attack line and the centre line. This is the area
where substitutions take place.

Out of Bounds
According to the volleyball game rules, the ball is out of bounds if it touches
- The floor completely outside the court
- A wall or an object mounted on a wall
- The ceiling above a nonplaying area
- The antenna
- The net, cables, or ropes outside the antennas
- The referee platform or pole
- A non-playing player that isn't interfering with play
- An object that is hanging from the ceiling and is below 15 ft. and in the referee’s judgement
the ball could not have remained in play

Volleyball Equipment
Net
The net is 1 meter (3 ft.) and 9.5 meters (32 ft.) long when stretched. The net is attached to upright
standards that are 1 meter (3 ft.) outside the court. The standards may be padded to a maximum
height of 5 and half feet. Front and sides of the referee’s platform must be padded, same as the
standards.

Net Antennas
Antennas are attached to the net in-line with the outside edge of the side-line. Antennas extend
upward at least 2 and half feet but no more than 3 and a half feet above the net. Antennas should
be fastened securely to the bottom and top of the net. The antennas should be made of
unbreakable material.

Referee Stand
The volleyball game rules require the referee stand to be a stable platform that elevates
the referees head to about 2 or 3 feet above the top of the net. The platform should be 18 inches
long and 12 inches wide.

The Ball
The volleyball must be spherical with a lace-less moulded cover of 12 or more pieces of genuine or
simulated smooth leather. The ball is about 25 to 27 inches in circumference. The ball should weigh
about 9 to 10 ounces and be inflated to 4.3 to 4.6 pounds.
Scoresheet
In competitive volleyball, volleyball game rules require a scoresheet to be used to keep score. A
scoresheet also provides space for line-ups, individual scoring, team scoring, and timeouts. There is a
comments section for recording warnings, penalties, unsporting conduct, and any other unusual
events.

Volleyball Court Dimensions

(Strength and power for volleyball, 2018)