What is volleyball?

Volleyball is a popular team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team’s court under organized rules.

What are the main skills used in volleyball?

There are 6 basic skills in the sport volleyball, these are:

• Passing
• Digging
• Spiking
• Setting
• Blocking
• Serving

Passing & Digging

Volleyball digging is essential for having a successful defense. The job of a volleyball digger is to prevent the ball from hitting the floor after being spiked by the opposing team. To dig, the volleyball players must anticipate the spike and be prepared to quickly dive in any direction.

Spiking

A volleyball spike or attack is the strategy used to send the ball over the net to the opponent in such a manner that ball is not returnable. The spike is performed by moving the arm in a way such that you angle the ball to land on the ground of your opponent’s side of the court.

Setting

The Set is an overhead pass used to change the direction of the dig and put the ball in a good position for the spiker. It is usually the team’s second contact. Setting is the tactical centre of Volleyball. A setter must be good enough to keep the big blockers from dominating the net.

Blocking

Blocking is a skill in volleyball used to prevent the opponent from a successful attack hit. A block technique is used to deflect the ball coming from an attacker. The blocker is trying to block the ball back into the opponent’s court.

Serving

The volleyball serve is one of the six basic volleyball techniques. A serve is used to put the ball into play to start the volley. The serve is the only skill controlled solely by one player. Advanced players take advantage of this fact by developing their serving skills.

Basic Volleyball Rules

• 6 players on the floor at any one time – 3 in the front row and 3 in the back row
• Maximum of 3 hits per side
• Points are made on every serve for wining team of rally (rally-point scoring).
• 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.
• A ball is out if it hits an antennae, the floor completely outside the court, any of the net or cables outside the antennae, the referee stand or pole, the ceiling above a non-playable area.
• 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.
• 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.