Do you know that Volleyball was not the first name of this wonderful game? It was ‘Mintonette’.
And that Volleyball as a game is now more than 100 years old? Yes, it’s that old.
In this post, I will share with you the complete history of volleyball from the early 1900s to today.
The Birth of Volleyball (1895)
Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, a YMCA physical education director in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Morgan created the game as a less strenuous alternative to basketball for older members of his YMCA. He called it “Mintonette” at first.
An interesting story for this initial name was that he used the idea of badminton to develop this game, where players keep the ball in the air using their hands. That’s why he used the name, which is a mix of ‘badminton‘ and ‘net‘.
The original game had the net raised 6 feet 6 inches above the floor (a bit lower than today’s net) and a ball made from the inner tube of a basketball.
The main idea of his idea behind the game was to keep the ball in the air. And to keep it less physically demanding as compared to, let’s say, basketball, while also keeping it enjoyable. Interestingly, as the play was to “volley” the ball back and forth over the net, it led to the name “volleyball.”
Rules of Volleyball
In 1916, 20 years after the game was invented, YMCA asked National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to publish first set of Volleyball Rules officially.
And 12 years later, in 1928, The United States Volleyball Association (USVA) was founded.
Early Development and Spread (1896-1920s)
The early years of volleyball were a time of rapid development of rules and overall adoption of the sport:
- 1896: The first official game of volleyball was played at Springfield College. This demonstration helped showcase the sport’s potential.
- 1900: A special ball was designed for the sport. This was a significant improvement over the makeshift basketball inner tube originally used.
- 1907: Volleyball was featured in the Playground of America convention, which led to its quick popularity across the United States.
- 1912: The rules were modified to include the rotation system, allowing players to move to different positions on the court. This also added a new layer of strategy to the game.
- 1916: In the Philippines, an offensive style of passing the ball in a high trajectory to be struck by another player (the set and spike) was introduced. This dramatically changed how the game was played, making it more dynamic and exciting.
- 1917: The number of players on each side was set to six, which is still the standard in indoor volleyball today.
- 1920: The three-hit and back-row attack rules were defined, further defining the game’s structure.
- 1922: The first YMCA national championships were held in Brooklyn, NY, with 27 teams competing.
During this period, volleyball also began to spread internationally. During World War I, American soldiers played a crucial role in spreading Volleyball by introducing the sport to Europe. By the 1920s, volleyball had reached countries like Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Japan, China, and the Philippines.
International Growth (1930s-1960s)
The mid-20th century saw volleyball transform from a recreational activity into a true competitive sport:
- 1934: The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) was established in Paris, with 14 founding members. This was an important step in organizing the sport on a global scale.
- 1938: The first international volleyball commission was formed in Poland, further promoting the sport in Europe.
- 1947: The first World Championship for men was held in Prague, Czechoslovakia. The Soviet Union won the title.
- 1948: The first World Championship for women was held in Moscow, won by the host nation.
- 1949: The first European Championship was held in Rome, Italy.
- 1955: The Pan American Games included volleyball for the first time.
- 1957: Beach volleyball was introduced to the public on the shores of Santa Monica, California.
- 1960: Brazil’s men’s team introduced a new offensive play called “Jogo Aereo” (aerial game), which later evolved into the penetration play used in modern volleyball.
- 1964: Volleyball made its Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games, with the Soviet Union winning gold in both men’s and women’s events.
This period saw significant improvements in technique and strategy.
The Asians, particularly the Japanese, introduced the fast tempo play.
The Soviets countered these skills and gameplays with the idea of specialized positions and the blocking system.
Modern Era (1970s-Present)
The modern era of volleyball is characterized by further refinement of rules, techniques, and overall global reach:
- 1970s: New techniques like the soft spike (dink) and forearm pass were developed. These added more finesse and style to the game.
- 1984: At the Los Angeles Olympics, Brazil’s Bernard Rajzman introduced the “saque viagem” (sky ball serve). It’s a high, floating serve that became a sensation at that time.
- 1988: U.S. men’s team coach Marv Dunphy introduced the three-middle player offense. This style also became widely adopted.
- 1996: Beach volleyball became an official Olympic sport in Atlanta.
- 1998: The libero position was made official, adding a defensive specialist to the game.
- 2000: The rally point scoring system was introduced in the Olympics. Rally scoring was a shift from side out, and it made the games faster and more exciting. Sets were now played to 25 points (except the deciding set, which goes to 15).
- 2004: The FIVB allowed players to make contact with the ball with any part of the body, not just above the waist.
- 2008: The challenge system was introduced in major competitions, allowing teams to contest referee decisions using video replay.
- 2016: The FIVB changed the rules to allow the libero to be team captain, recognizing the importance of this defensive position.
- 2020 (postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19): Despite the global pandemic, it remained a highlight of the Tokyo Olympics, with new stars emerging and traditional powerhouses maintaining their dominance.
Current Situation
Even today, the sport continues to evolve overall. New training methods, data analytics, and even AI are being used to enhance player performance and strategy. The sport has also embraced technology, with electronic line-calling systems and LED-powered courts appearing in top-level competitions.
From my personal experience playing in college tournaments, I’ve seen how the sport has become faster and more strategic over the years. Players are performing incredible feats of agility and power that would have been unimaginable in the sport’s early days; the level of athleticism required from nearly all the players is quite high.
Volleyball’s journey from a simple YMCA game to a global phenomenon highlights its universal appeal. Whether played on a beach, in a gym, or at the Olympic level, it brings people together and inspires athletes worldwide.