During my sophomore year, I took on the role of team captain, and everything changed.
Coach Thompson handed me a thick rulebook, saying, “Ryan, you can’t lead if you don’t know the game inside and out.” Those late nights studying regulations and discussing scenarios with my coach transformed my perspective.
What once seemed like a complex maze of technicalities became a strategic playbook that could give us an edge in crucial moments.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down volleyball rules and regulations in a way that makes sense for everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned players.
Basic Volleyball Rules Every Player Should Know
Let’s start by talking about the primary guidelines that are the same across all sports variations. With their understanding, you will know what to expect when you finally hit the court.
Right Team Composition
Volleyball is played in two teams on a court split by a net. Each team has six players on the court to play, but that’s not it. A full volleyball squad has 12 players – six starters and six substitutes.
They’re backed up by a coaching staff (usually a head coach and up to two assistants) and a medical team (typically a therapist and a doctor). Only these official team members can be in the game area and participate in official warm-ups and matches.
Fair Start and Service
Now, how does the game start? Well, it kicks off with a coin toss, and the winner gets the chance to serve first. Once the ball’s in play, both teams then rally it back and forth, trying to score points by making the ball touch the ground on the opponent’s side.
Each team is allowed up to three touches before returning the ball. The rally continues until a team either makes a kill or commits a fault. Whichever team wins the rally, scores a point and gets to serve next. With that said, to ensure fair and consistent volleyball games across different venues, it’s also essential to adhere to standardized court specifications.
Key Guidelines for Court Dimension and Setup
You must familiarize yourself with the markings of the court. It will help you position yourself correctly on the playing field and ensure a legal hit and serve without breaking any rules.
Accurate Indoor Court Dimensions
According to FIVB guidelines, the indoor court is 18m (59ft) long and 9m (29.5ft) wide. It’s further divided into two halves of 9m (29.5ft) with a net right down in the middle. But the net height isn’t one-size-fits-all. For the guys, it’s set at a towering 8 feet, while the ladies get a slightly lower net at about 7.35 feet!
Now, let’s come to those all-important lines on the court. Court lines are not just there to make the court look good– they dictate how the game is played.
- First up, there’s the attack line that stretches 3m from the net, separating the frontcourt from the backcourt. Front-row players can spike from anywhere, but back-row players must jump behind this line. Step on it or cross it while attacking? That’s a fault!
- Next up, there’s the centre line that runs right under the net, splitting the court in two. You accidentally end up touching it? Not a problem. But if your whole foot or body crosses over? That’s another fault!
- Lastly, we’ve got the service area that’s a space behind the end line where servers do their thing. Avoid stepping on or over that end line before you hit the ball, or you’ll be called for a service fault.
Proper Outdoor Court Dimensions (Beach Volleyball)
While the game is similar, the court set up for beach volleyball has some key differences. For official competitions, it’s about 16m long by 8m wide, with a free zone on each side.
Now, depending on whether you’re playing in an international (FIVB) or US (USAV) competition, this free zone might be different. In FIVB games, the free zone extends 5-6m on each side, while USAV matches have a more compact 3m free zone. Vertical clearance also varies, with FIVB requiring 12.5m of space above the court compared to USAV’s 7m.
Note: Unlike indoor volleyball, there’s no attack line on a beach court. This means players can roam freely in their half of the court – all 8m x 8m of it!
Now that you have a clear idea of the court’s boundaries, let’s move on to how players navigate this space.
Player Positioning and Rotating Principles
At its core, volleyball relies on a precise arrangement and rotation of players within the court’s boundaries. This forms the foundation of both offensive and defensive strategies. You have six positions on the court, with three in the front row and three in the back. Let’s break these down:
| Front row | Back row |
| Position 4 on the left | Position 5 on the left |
| Position 3 in the centre | Position 6 in the centre |
| Position 2 on the right | Position 1 on the right |
When the server is about to hit the ball, everyone on the team needs to be in their assigned spot. Get caught out of position, and your team loses a point. But once the ball is in play, players can move freely around their side of the court and even into the free zone.
Ideal Rotation Order
Volleyball rotation is a key aspect of the game that keeps players on their toes. When your team scores a point and gains the right to serve, everyone shifts in a clockwise position.
The player in position two takes position one, while that in one moves to position six. This shuffle continues every time you score while receiving. And heads up! Skipping up or messing up the order results in a point given to the other team.
Libero Exception: This defensive specialist doesn’t rotate into the front row. They focus only on defensive plays and cannot attack, serve (in some rules), or block.
It’s not enough to know about the right way to position on the court, you also need to know about the right way to serve as it sets the tone for entire match.
Fundamental Rules of Volleyball Serving
The serve kickstarts every point in volleyball, setting the stage for the hit and spike to unfold. Any misstep here can cost a team not just the attack but also a valuable point.
Legal Serves
Just as players must be in their correct positions before the serve, the server must follow specific guidelines to initiate play legally. Here’s what you should know to execute the right serve:
- First, the position is key. The server can stand anywhere behind the end line on their side of the court.
- Second, timing matters too. You must contact the ball before stepping on or over that end line.
- For the serve to count, it needs to clear the net and land in the opponent’s court. Here’s an interesting twist: if your serve hits the net but still makes it over and lands in bounds, it’s a fair game.
- Lastly, the serve must be returned with a bump or a set. It cannot be attacked directly back over the net.
Serving Faults
Serving in volleyball can be tricky, and there are a few ways you can accidentally end up making faults and handing the point to your opponents. If you step on or over the baseline before hitting the ball, it’s a fault. And if your serve hits the net and bounces back to your side, that’s a point for the other team.
Accuracy matters too. If your serve lands outside the opponent’s court, you’ve just given them another free point. Remember to also keep that ball clear of your teammates and any objects before it crosses the net. If it touches anything on your side first, it’s a fault.
Now that you’re aware of how to play, court size, player positioning, and movement, let’s learn about the scoring system that turns your efforts into tangible outcomes.
Regulations for Volleyball Scoring System
These regulations dictate how teams accumulate points and ultimately achieve victory. A thorough understanding is crucial, as the scoring system influences player positioning, tactical decisions, and the overall flow of the game.
Winning a Point in Volleyball
The most common way for you to win points in a volleyball match is by spiking the ball onto the opposing team’s half. If the serving team wins the point, they continue to serve. If they lose the point, the opposite teams get the chance to become the servers.
Another way you can win the point is when the opponent commits a fault or when the opponent team receives a penalty. (I’ve discussed this in the end section)
Winning the Match in Volleyball
A standard volleyball match is played for the best of five sets competition. For the first four sets, it’s a race up to 25 points. But here’s the kicker: to claim the set, you must be ahead by at least two points. And if a team ends up winning three consecutive sets – that’s game over – they get to take the trophy home.
Should the teams be at two sets each after four sets, a fifth and deciding set is played. It is shorter for 15 points but still requires a two-point lead to win. If the game is tied at 24-24 in the first four sets or 14-14 in the fifth set, the play continues until one team establishes a two-point advantage.
But you know what? To truly master volleyball, you need to know a variety of additional rules that shape gameplay.
Additional Volleyball Gameplay Rules to Know About
These rules govern specific situations and interactions on the court, letting you understand what qualifies as a point and what turns into a fault.
- Remember, no double-dipping! Players can’t hit the ball twice in a row except after blocking. After receiving, a teammate must take the next touch.
- Any contact with the net during play is a fault. It doesn’t matter whether it’s your body or your jersey that touches the net.
- When you’re attacking, aim for the opponent’s court. Hitting the ball out of bounds, into the net, or over the antenna is like serving up a point to the other team.
- You can only reach over the net to block if the ball has crossed to your side. Overreaching or touching the ball on the opponent’s side is a quick way to lose a point.
- Volleyball isn’t a game of catch. Contact with the ball should be quick – no holding or carrying allowed.
- Substitutes must take the exact position of the player you’re replacing. Stick to that spot until the rotation cycle is complete.
Wrapping Up
There you have it – all the volleyball rules and regulations. There can be more depending on where you stay and at what level you play, but I’ve tried to cover the most essential guidelines.
The key to volleyball success is clean, strategic ball handling and following its rules to the T. Any slip-up can quickly shift momentum to your opponents, so mastering these guidelines is crucial. By doing so, you’ll increase your chances of winning rallies and gaining an edge in the game.
With a strong foundation in volleyball rules, you can step onto the court with confidence. Remember, knowledge of the rules is just the beginning – it’s how you apply them that truly makes the difference.
FAQs
Yes, players are permitted to use their legs to touch the volleyball during the game, but there are a few restrictions. You’re only limited to three leg touches.
Plus, your foot must remain firmly on the ground or can be dropped or slid into position to contact the ball. It cannot be lifted off the ground to contact the ball.
At the start of the volleyball game, the referee conducts a coin toss to set things in motion. The team that wins this toss gets to decide either to serve first or which side of the court they want.
The other team then gets the remaining option. This sets up the first set. For sets two through four, serving alternates – with the team that didn’t serve in the previous set starting the next one.
Volleyball timeout rules are straightforward. Each team gets two 30-second timeouts per set. Requests for it can be made by a “T” sign with your hands when the ball is out of play.
In sets 1-4, an automatic 60-second technical timeout occurs when the leading team reaches 8 and 16 points. When it comes to the fifth set, there are no technical timeouts, but only the regular 30-second timeouts
Ryan, great article!
I’m coaching a youth team (12-13 year olds) and we’re preparing for our first tournament.
The organizers mentioned something about a “12 sub rule” that I’m not familiar with. What is the 12 sub rule in volleyball?
Is this standard across all youth leagues or specific to certain tournaments?
I want to make sure I understand the substitution rules correctly before we compete.
Hey Coach Mike!
Thanks for the kind words about the article! The “12 sub rule” is something I remember well from my coaching days with younger teams.
The 12 sub rule is a modification used primarily in youth volleyball that allows each team to make up to 12 substitutions per set, rather than the standard 6 substitutions in regular volleyball rules. This rule is designed specifically to give more playing time to developing players and create more opportunities for coaches to rotate their roster.
This isn’t standard across all youth leagues – it varies depending on the tournament organizer and the specific league rules. For example, USA Volleyball and some high school federations have adopted this rule for certain age groups, while others still follow the traditional 6-sub limit.
Here’s what you need to know for your 12-13 year olds:
Check your tournament rules packet specifically (they should provide this before the event)
The 12 subs are per set, not per match
You still need to follow other substitution rules (players returning to their original rotation spot, etc.)
Libero replacements are separate and don’t count against these 12 substitutions
When I coached my first youth tournament, I actually made the mistake of only using 6 subs in the first set, not realizing we had 12 available! Could have given more kids playing time earlier if I’d known.
Before your tournament, I’d recommend contacting the organizers directly to confirm this rule and any other youth-specific modifications they might be using. Youth volleyball often has slight variations to encourage development and participation.
Good luck with your team’s tournament!
Ryan
Thanks for the write up.
I recently started playing volleyball and noticed sometimes serves touch the net but still count. Can someone explain when a serve is considered legal or illegal if it hits the net? Also, what other serving rules should beginners know about?
Great question! I also had the same confusion when I first started playing. Here’s what you need to know about serves and the net:
Let Serve Rule:
If your serve hits the net and lands in bounds on the opponent’s side, it’s completely legal (called a “let serve”)
Play continues as normal
This rule changed years ago – previously, net serves were faults
Key Serving Rules for Beginners:
Serving Position
Must serve from behind the end line
Can serve from anywhere along the back line
Cannot step on/over the line until after hitting the ball
Service Faults
Ball landing outside opponent’s court boundaries
Ball touching any player on your team
Ball failing to go over the net
Tossing and catching the ball instead of serving
Taking too long to serve (8 seconds from referee’s whistle)
Quick Tip: When starting out, focus on consistent serves that just clear the net rather than powerful serves. Accuracy beats power at the beginner level.
Let me know if you need clarification on any of these rules – I remember how tricky they seemed at first!
Ryan, thanks for this comprehensive guide!
During our league match last night, there was a confusing situation where our libero attempted to block at the net and the referee immediately called a violation.
What are three things a libero cannot do in volleyball?
I want to make sure our team understands the libero position restrictions clearly to avoid losing points in future matches.
Hey Jason!
Thanks for the kind words about the guide! That referee call about your libero was absolutely correct – blocking is definitely off-limits for the libero position.
Here are the three main things a libero cannot do in volleyball:
Block or attempt to block – This is what happened in your match. Liberos cannot participate in blocking actions at the net at all – not even attempting a block. This includes any action near the net where they reach higher than the top of the net with their hands.
Attack a ball that is entirely above net height – Liberos can’t spike or attack balls that are completely above the height of the net. They can attack balls below net height, but once the entire ball is above the net, attacking is prohibited. This prevents liberos from becoming offensive threats.
Serve in the same set after being replaced – In most leagues, if a libero serves in one position in the rotation and then is replaced, they cannot serve again in a different position in that same set. This prevents teams from using the libero to serve from multiple positions.
One additional key restriction: liberos must remain in the back row. If a libero sets the ball with their fingers while in the front zone, their teammates cannot attack that ball if it’s entirely above net height.
I’ve seen teams lose crucial points in tournament matches because of libero violations, so it’s definitely worth reviewing these rules with your team!
Ryan
Hey Ryan,
As always really liked your guide on Volleyball Rules and Regulations. I have gone through this guide but it doesn’t answer my query – What Is an Illegal Set in Volleyball?
Can you please elaborate on the same?
~ Matthew
Hey Matthew,
Let me break down what constitutes an illegal set in volleyball.
An illegal set occurs when the referee determines that a player has not performed a clean setting motion. The most common illegal set violations include:
Double contact – When the ball touches different parts of your hands or arms in a non-simultaneous way. This is the most frequently called illegal set violation, especially at lower levels of play.
Prolonged contact (or “lift”) – When you hold the ball for too long rather than making a quick, clean contact. The ball should rebound off your fingertips, not rest in your hands.
Asymmetrical hand contact – When one hand pushes the ball significantly more than the other, causing the ball to spin excessively.
Setting a ball that crosses the net – In many leagues, if you’re setting a ball as your team’s first contact and it crosses the net, it may be called as illegal (though this rule varies by level of play).
Hi,
I am part of my community team and we play every weekend. When I serve, I feel that I can push the ball better with closed fist. Though no one objects but we are kinda unsure about the whole thing.
Can you tell if you can hit a volleyball with a closed fist?
~ Richard
Absolutely! I’d be happy to answer this question about volleyball technique.
Yes, you can definitely hit a volleyball with a closed fist.
In fact, this is a common technique used in specific situations during gameplay.
Hey,
I am part of my school freshmen team.
There is a question with regards to timeouts in Volleyball. You see, we had a debate with regards to timeouts related to general case as well as injury related.
Can you please tell me how many timeouts are allowed per set in Volleyball, in both cases?
Hi there!
Great question about volleyball timeouts – this is something that often causes confusion even among experienced players.
In standard volleyball rules, each team is allowed 2 timeouts per set. Each timeout lasts 30 seconds. This applies across most competitive formats including high school freshmen teams like yours.
For injury situations, it’s important to understand that injury timeouts are handled differently and don’t count toward your two standard timeouts.
If a player gets injured during play, the officials will typically grant an injury timeout that doesn’t count against your team’s regular timeout allowance.