Volleyball

Volleyball, a six-a-side court game played by hitting an inflated ball back and forth over a high net. Points are scored by successfully landing the ball in the court of the opponents without its being returned.

Rules

The six players on a volleyball team include three forwards, who stand near the net, and three backs. The server starting the game stands behind the right third of the rear line, serving over the net into the court of the opponents by tossing the ball into the air and striking it with the hand or fist. Only one attempt is allowed on the serve. By hitting the ball back and forth over the net, with the hands, fists, forearms, head, or any part of the body above the waist, play is continued until one team fails to keep the ball in play, that is, in the air, or until a rule violation is committed. The ball must be returned by a side over the net after no more than three hits, and no player may hit the ball twice in succession. The return over the net must be done without catching, holding, or carrying the ball, without a player's touching the net, and without entering the area of the opponents. A point may be scored only by the team that is serving; a player continues to serve as long as his or her team continues to score points, the service privilege then shifting to the opposing team. On a service shift, all members of the new serving team immediately rotate, moving clockwise one position, with the player who was in the right-forward position moving into the right-back, or serving, position.

The team first scoring 15 points, or the most points in 8 minutes of actual ball-in-play time, wins the game, provided the margin of victory is at least 2 points. A volleyball match consists of the best two out of three games. Officials in competitive volleyball include a referee, scorer, umpire, timekeeper, and lines officials.

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