The History of Volleyball

William G. Morgan, an instructor at a YMCA in

Holyoke, Massachusetts invented volleyball in
1895. He decided to blend the elements of several
sports: basketball, tennis, baseball & handball. He
raised a tennis net to the height of six feet six
inches. When demonstrating the game a student
remarked that the players seemed to be volleying
the ball back and forth, which perhaps is the
reason we know the game today as volleyball.

Rules of the Game

Players- a team consist of six players.

To Start Play- the game starts with a serve from one of the teams.

Serving-
• The ball that hits the net on the serve and goes over is good.
• Players must serve from behind the service line.

Pass, Set, Hit (Offense)

• The offensive team may hit the ball up to three times to

get the ball over the net.
• Players may not touch the net during play.
• The same player may not hit the ball twice in a row.
• Any ball that hits a line is considered in.
• A ball that hits the net during play and goes over is good.

Defense- each player should cover their area of the floor. Working together
as a team will help to keep the ball going and prevent the ball from hitting the
floor.

Scoring- rally scoring is used during game play- the winner of each rally
is awarded a point regardless of whether that team served .
• Games go to 25 points and a team must win by two points.
• A match is considered 3 of 5 games

Fouls-
• Carry/ Held Ball- when a player hits a ball two times in a row.
• Double Hit- not hitting the ball cleanly.
 Skills

Pass/Bump- A ball-handling skill that a players uses to legally contact the ball at a
level below the waist using the forearms as the contact surface, usually the first
contact made after a serve.

Set- A ball-handling skill using both hands simultaneously to contact the ball above
the head and direct it to the intended target or attacker so the ball can be spiked in
the opponent’s court

Attack- The attempt by one team to terminate the play by hitting the ball to the floor
on the opponent's side.

Block- The combination of one, two or three players jumping in front of the
opposing spiker and contacting the spiked ball with the hands in attempt to prevent
the ball from coming over the net.

Dig- Retrieving an attacked ball close to the floor.

Serve- A one handed hit, over or under handed, used to put the ball into play.

Court Diagram and Positions

Setter- the player responsible for setting the ball, they usually take the second hit
when on offense in attempt to set up a play.

Defensive Specialist- a player who specializes in playing the back row and
passing the ball.

Attackers- a player who specializes in attacking or spiking the ball.

 Team Strategies
 Serve to open spots.
 Call the balls to prevent the ball from hitting the floor.
 Work together as a team.
 Use three hits when on offense to set up for attacks

Facilities and Equipment

History-

Morgan’s original game used the rubber bladder out of a basketball as the first
volleyball, which was hit over a badminton net that was suspended 6 ½ feet off of the
ground. The court was divided into two 25-foot square halves, and each team was
allowed to have as many players as could fit on the court. Roughly one year after the
sport was created, Spalding designed the first official volleyball, and by 1900 the ball
used became more or less standardized. By 1928, the United States Volleyball
Association was established to oversee the sport and ensure that standards were
established for all court and equipment usage.

Court-

Today, courts must meet the specifications set forth by USA Volleyball and the
international governing body, FIVB. Indoor courts must measure 18 meters long by 9
meters wide and have an attack area demarcated 3 meters back from the centerline.
The lines used on the court should not be any wider than 5 cm. A free space measuring
2 meters in any direction is recommended around the playing area of the court to
prevent any accidental obstructions of play. Above the highest point of the net, there
should be at least 7 meters of space to allow the ball free travel, though 12 meters is
recommended.
Ball-

The ball used for volleyball is smaller than the basketball bladder that was used
originally. For indoor volleyball, it should have a circumference between 65 and 67 cm
when fully inflated to an inner pressure between 4.3 and 4.6 lbs. psi. Once inflated, the
ball must weigh between 260 and 280 g. During FIVB competitions and world events,
three balls are used and must meet the same standards as the other balls before being
approved for play.

Net-

Net height can vary depending on the age of the players and the class of volleyball
being played. The standard height used for men over the age of 15 is 2.43 meters
measured from the lowest point of the net to the court floor. For women over the age of
13, the standard measurement is 2.24 meters. The net extends to each of the sidelines
on the court and should be the same height at both sidelines. The net itself is 1 meter
wide. At either end of the net, an antenna is attached that is 10 mm in diameter and
extends 1.8 meters above the net. These antennae are considered part of the net and
are used to delineate the vertical crossing space.

Beach

The beach variant of volleyball began in the 1940s. While many of the rules and
specifications of this format are the same as indoor volleyball, there are some
differences. The court used in beach volleyball is slightly smaller, measuring 16 meters
by 8 meters. The ball also is increased in size to a circumference between 66 and 68
cm. The average net height for men and women stays the same.
Pictures