INDOOR VOLLEYBALL
There are six players per team in indoor volleyball, which is usually played in a gymnasium. Three players are located in front of what is called the 'attack line' and three are behind it. The back row, right corner player puts the ball into play by serving it over the net into the opponent's court. Once the ball is in play, a team is allowed to hit it three times (in addition to the block contact) to return it to the opponent's court. A player is not allowed to hit the ball twice in a row, except when attempting a block.
When the ball is in play, it's called a rally. When the ball touches the ground, goes out of bounds or a team commits a 'fault' like hitting the ball more than three times, one of the teams wins the rally, scores a point and earns the right to serve. The first team to score 25 points (and be two points ahead) wins the set. The best of three or five games win the match.
| “Fun Fact: In 1916 in the Philippines, the set and spike was introduced, an offensive style of passing the ball in a high arc so that it could be hit aggressively by another player.” |
THE SKILLS
The Serve
The serve is used to put the ball into play and is the only skill controlled exclusively by one player.
Forearm Pass
A pass in which the ball is bumped off the forearms (also known as a bump). This basic skill is called the 'pass' when receiving the serve, and the 'dig' when handling an opponent's attack.
Overhead Pass
A pass using both hands to hit the ball above the head and pass it to a teammate (also known as a volley).
Block
A combination of one, two or three players who jump in front of the opposing spiker and block the spiked ball.
Attack
An attempt by one team to end the play by hitting the ball to the floor on the opponent's side.
Hit
Spiking the ball so that it will hit the opponent's court with force.
| “Fun Fact: At the 2004 Athens Olympics, the speed of a volleyball spiked by men was 130 km/h (80 mph). The speed for women was 100 km/h (60 mph).” |
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Beach Volleyball, which is a fairly new version of the game, began as a popular social game on the beaches of Santa Monica, California in 1920. In beach volleyball, the game is played on sand and a team consists of two players instead of six. The court size is also different, but most of the rules are the same as indoor volleyball. However, with only two team members, there is more shot variety and a lot more risks. And on the beach, there's no such thing as calling in 'subs' if you're having a bad day.
| “Fun Fact: It takes 100 tons of sand to build a beach volleyball court.” |
Players in beach volleyball have a 'bag of tricks' to get them through every game. That's why you'll see such a wide range of shots, and some of them have pretty weird names.
Here are a few:
ACE OR SPADER
When a serve hits the sand without your opponent touching it.
CUT SHOT
A soft, spinning shot intended to drop close to the net and the sideline. Good players have lots of different cut shots.
DINK OR POKEY
Using your knuckles instead of your fingers (which is not allowed in beach volleyball) to 'tip' or push the ball. Usually a soft shot delivered just over your opponent's head.
LOOP OR RAINBOW
Looks the same as the cut shot, but at the last moment is delivered high and deep to land just inside or on the baseline.
| “Fun Fact: At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, John Child and Mark Heese won a bronze medal in beach volleyball - Canada's first Olympic volleyball medal.” |
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