Volleyball History and the Evolution of the Sport

Volleyball were originated in the United States in 1895 as a blend of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball. Today, volleyball has spread to 211 countries around the world, and is recognized as a truly international, widely played, popular sport. In 1895, William G. Morgan, an instructor at the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Mass. Morgan created the game of volleyball, at that time called mintonette. In 1896, the first official game of Volleyball was played at Springfield College. In the year 1900, Volleyball was popular enough that a new ball was customized for the sport. Five years later, Volleyball also spread to Cuba. This international signified the start of the Volleyball era. In 1907, Volleyball was presented at the Playground of America convention as one of the most popular sports. This was the first credit the sport received, and helped to further the sport recognition. Over the next five years volleyball spread to Central American countries. In 1913, volleyball was held in the Far Eastern Games. This was the first official volleyball competition. In 1916, volleyball had arrived in YMCA Brazil and South America. The set and spike was first executed in the Philippines. This offensive system altered how the game was played. For the first time the ball was set in a high trajectory and then spiked by a teammate. The Filipinos created the kill, known in United States as bomba. The bomba was named after the attacker called the bomberino. Rules and tournaments came about as a result of the formation of the United States Volleyball Association USVBA. The first U.S. Open was staged, as the field was open to nonYMCA squads. The United States Volleyball Association (USVBA) was formed in 1928 and recognized as the rules-making, governing body in the United States. Since 1928, the USVBA, now known as USA Volleyball (USAV), has put on national men's and senior men's (age 35 and older) volleyball championships every year except during 1944 and 1945. Women's USVBA divisions started in 1949 and have been growing ever since. In the late 1940s, some European national federations began discussing the need for creating an international governing body for the sport of volleyball. The FIVB was founded in Paris, France in 1947. Initial discussions eventually lead to the installation of a Constitutive Congress in 1947. Fourteen national federations representing five different continents attended meetings where the organization was officially formed. One of the main goals of the 1947 Congress was achieved two years later with the establishment of the first international major volleyball event, the World Championship.

In 1952, a woman played in FIVB tournaments for the first time in volleyball history. For the first time in the history of volleyball, volleyball was played in the Pan American Games in 1955. In 1957, volleyball was designated as an Olympic team sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In 1959, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) had volleyball be one of the eight competitions held in first University Games in Turin, Italy. In 1960, seven midwestern institutions formed the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA). In the 1960's, new volleyball techniques were developed. Off-speed hits, open hand tips, forearm passing, blocking at the net, and defensive plays such as diving and sprawling become a big part of the game. With the (FIVB already having its own world championships, the FIVB directed its attention to the Olympic Games. Thanks to the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation, a tournament took place in Sofia in 1957 during the International Olympic Committee meetings. As a result of this event, volleyball became an Olympic Sport. In 1964, volleyball was first played in the Olympics in Tokyo. Volleyball became a part of the Olympic Games, which allowed it to grow even more. Also, in the 1964 Olympics, the Japanese used a volleyball that consisted of a rubber casing with leather panels. A similar ball is used in modern volleyball competitions. In 1969, a new international event, the World Cup was introduced. The World Cup would be turned into a qualifying event for the 1991 Olympic Games. In 1974, Japan telecasted a major volleyball event in Mexico, the World Championships. In 1983, the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) was founded by Leonard Armato. The organization started its own beach volleyball tour in the United States in 1984. By the late 1980's, the AVP tour was growing fast due to the promotion of the sport by the professional beach players Tim Hovland, Sinjin Smith, Randy Stoklos, and Mike Dodd. In 1986, the Women's Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) was formed to administer, govern, and protect the integrity of Women's Professional Beach Volleyball. In 1987, the FIVB added a Beach Volleyball World Championship Series 1989 - The FIVB Sports Aid Program was created In 1990, a mens volleyball competition called the World League was created. The World League is the longest and most flourishing of all the international events organized by the FIVB. The tournament is an annual event. In 2006, prize money became a major deal with $20 million dollars being distributed amongst 16 participating teams from 5 continents. The World League is sometimes confused with the other international volleyball competitions Volleyball World Cup and Volleyball World Championships. In 1995, the sport of Volleyball turned 100 years old.

In 1996, for the first time in the history of volleyball, beach doubles volleyball is included in the Olympic Games. Major events in the 90s took place including the establishment of annual competitions for men's and women's volleyball (the World League, in 1990, and the Grand Prix, in 1993), the indication of Beach volleyball as an Olympic event (1996). These events and many rule changes in the game were made the purpose of enhancing the popularity and public visibility of the sport. William G. Morgan (1870-1942), invented volleyball in 1895 in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Morgan, who was born in New York, is known as the inventor of volleyball which he originally named Mintonette. Later, Alfred Halstead re-named Mintonette volleyball because the object of the game was to volley a ball back and forth over a net. Morgan studied at the Springfield College of the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) where he met James Naismith. Naismith, in 1891, had recently invented the game of basketball. During the summer of 1895, Morgan moved to the YMCA at Holyoke where he became Director of Physical Education. In this role, Morgan had the opportunity to direct a vast program of exercises and sport classes for male adults. His leadership was eagerly accepted, and his classes grew in large numbers. He came to realize he needed a different type of competitive recreational game in order to vary his physical fitness program. Basketball, which sport was beginning to develop, seemed to suit young people, but it was necessary to find a less violent and less intense alternative for the older members. Morgan took some of the characteristics from tennis and handball along with basketball. Morgan liked the game of tennis, but tennis required rackets, balls, a net. He didnt like all the equipment, but he did like the idea of a net. Morgan invented volleyball, which was originally called Mintonette. Mintonette was designed to be an indoor sport. Mintonette was less rough than basketball for older members of the YMCA, while still requiring some athletic ability. The first rules required for a net to be 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters) high, a 25 50 foot (7.6 15.2 meter) court. Each team could have as many players as a team wanted. A match was nine innings with three serves for each team in each inning. There was no limit to the number of ball contacts for each team before sending the ball to the other side of the court. In case of a miss serve, a second try was allowed. Hitting the ball into the net was a fault, with loss of the point or a side-out, except in the case of a first serve attempt.

Volleyball Rules
Official rules of volleyball, basic to advanced

The Serve Volleyball Rules

Executing the serve The volleyball serve must be executed by the player that is in the right back position. The server must release or toss the ball when executing a serve The server is allowed only one toss or release of the ball A toss only counts if the ball is tossed with the intention of service. I mention this because sometimes part of a players serving routine is to toss or bounce the ball a couple times before they serve. So if they arent tossing to serve the ball, they're ok as long as the allotted time hasn't yet expired. The server must release the ball when serving. The server cant hit the ball out of their hand (this is common with underhand serves). The ball must be released. Must not contact the court If in contact with the floor, the server must not step across or contact the service line until after contact with the ball has been made. If the server jumps when serving, the last contact with the floor must be behind the service line. The server can then land on or in front of the service line. Can't be in contact with the ground outside the service zone The server can't be in contact with the ground outside the service zone when making contact with the ball. After the contact, the server may step outside the service zone or into the court. The serve must be executed within the allowed time. USAV Rule The ball must be hit within 8 seconds of the referees whistle for serve. USAV Rule for 14 years and younger The ball must be hit within 5 seconds of the referees whistle for serve.

Playing the Game Volleyball Rules

Rules in volleyball limit player playing actions such as, 3 hits to a side, only the front row players can attack the ball when the ball is entirely above the top of the net, the player positioned in right back must execute the serve, etc. A player on a volleyball team can be designated as libero. The libero playing actions are much different from other volleyball player actions. For example, the libero can come in the game and take the place of any back row player on the court, but can't ever play across the front row. Volleyball scoring system A point is scored when The ball is successfully grounded in the opponents court The opposing team commits a fault

The opposing team receives a penalty

A set (game) is won when A team scores 25 points with a minimum 2 point lead. In the case of a 24-24 tie, play continues until a 2 point lead is taken.

A match is won when a team wins 2 out of 3 sets. A playoff game is considered a match and only 1 set shall be played.

Structure of Play - Volleyball Rules

Before the start of a match, the referee conducts a team captains meeting. The referee goes over any ground rules and conducts a coin toss. At the coin toss, the referee may go over the rules in volleyball for game interruptions such as the procedures for substitutions and timeouts. All volleyball participants must know the rules of volleyball. Sanctions may be issued to players, coaches, or other team members for rude conduct or aggressive behavior.

The Court Volleyball Rules

The playing area includes the volleyball court and the playable area that surrounds it. Volleyball Court Measurements Volleyball court dimensions are 18 by 9 meters or 59 feet by 29 feet 6 inches.

Zones and Areas of the volleyball court include... Free Zone The free zone (playable area) should be a minimum of 3 meters or 9 feet 10 inches wide on all sides of the volleyball court. All lines on the court are 2 inches wide. Sidelines and Endlines The boundary lines are made up of 2 sidelines and 2 endlines. Both the sidelines and endlines are part of the dimensions of the volleyball court. Centerline The centerline extends underneath the net from sideline to sideline. The centerline is the line that divides the court into 2 equal halves. However, the entire centerline is considered part of each side of the court. Attack Line On each side of the court there is an attack line. The attack line extends from sideline to sideline and is placed 3 meters or 9 feet 10 inches from the centerline. Front Zone The front zone is the area between the centerline and attack line.

The front zone extends beyond the sidelines until the end of the free zone. Service Zone The service zone is the area behind the endline that extends from sideline to sideline. The service zone is 9 meters or 29 feet 6 inches in width and in depth extends to the end of the free zone. Substitution Zone The substitution zone extends from both attack lines up to the scorers table. Volleyball Rules for Net Height USAV Rule 2.43 meters (711 5/8) USAV Rule for 14 years and younger 2.24 meters (7 4 1/8) The volleyball net height is measured from the center of the net. The net height at the 2 sidelines must be exactly the same and cant be over 2 cm higher than the official volleyball net height.

EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES

Volleyball Court Dimensions

The Volleyball court is 60 feet by 30 feet in total. The net in placed in the center of the court, making each side of the net 30 feet by 30 feet.
Center Line

A center line is marked at the center of the court dividing it equally into 30 feet squares, above which the net is placed.
Attack Line

An attack line is marked 10 feet of each side of the center line.

Service Line

A service line, the area from which the server may serve the volleyball, is marked 10 feet inside the right sideline on each back line.
The Net

The net is placed directly above the center line, 7 feet 4 inches above the ground for women and 8 feet above the ground for men.
Poles

Volleyball poles should be set at 36 feet apart, 3 feet further out from the sidelines.

Ceiling Height

The minimum ceiling height should be 23 feet, though they should preferably be higher.

INTERNATIONAL GOVERNING BODY

Fdration Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB)

Volleyball Terms
Learning Terminology for Volleyball Ace A serve is an ace when the other team shanks the serve or the ball hits the floor without anyone touching it. Stuff Block A stuff block is when a player jumps above the net and blocks the ball back into the person that spiked the ball. Kill A kill is when a team spikes the ball and it is successfully put away. Six Pack A six pack occurs when a defensive player gets hit in the head or face by a spiked ball. Also called a facial. Paint Brush When the hitter swings and barely "brushes" the bottom of the ball. The ball often drops over the blockers for a kill. Tool Deliberately hitting the ball off the block for a kill. This is also called using the block or a wipe.

Youth Players - Volleyball Terms

Roof When a player jumps above the net to block, and blocks the ball straight down. Lollipop A lollipop is a very easy serve. This serve is often done with a high arc which is easy to pass. When you serve a lollipop you will probably get licked. Redwood A redwood is a tall awkward blocker. Redwoods arent very mobile. Chester To be nailed in the chest by a hard serve or spike. Tagged A player gets tagged when they cant get out of the way of a hard hit ball.

Swipe or Wipe When a hitter pushes the ball off of the opposing block so it lands out of bounds. Also called tooling the block. Kong Block A one-handed block like the move King Kong does on the biplanes in the original King Kong movie. Tuna A tuna is when a player commits a very obvious net violation. Also called a flounder. Chowder A really bad double contact on a hand set is often called chowder.

Phrases used in Youth Volleyball - Volleyball Terms

Prince/Princess of Whales A player who spikes the ball as hard as possible no matter what. Sizzle the Pits Hard spike that travels under the blocker's raised arms just past their arm pits. Bringing the Heat A particularly hard spike. Here Comes the Heater The opponent may call out Here comes the heater when a server that is known for serving really hard jump serves is going back to serve.

Basic Skills of Volleyball

The worst situation that a volleyball team could be in is to show up at a game without knowing what skills they needed to win the game. Hitting the ball, being in the right place, and playing competitively can help to win the game as well as gain confidence in the sport. Focusing on the basics for volleyball can help you to gain the skills you need for every game. 1. Serving. This is what always starts the game and helps to keep the game. There are two basic types of serves. One is overhand; where the player will throw the ball in the air first, then hit it. The second is underhand, where the server will hold the ball and swing their other arm underneath the ball to hit it. There are a variety of other serves beyond these basics, all which help to get the ball over the net, and get the game going. 2. Pass or reception. This is usually set up by the setter of the game. It is used in order to take the ball and give it to the other players on your own team. They will then have the ability to put the ball to the other side like they want to. You can either pass by the forearm or by hitting the ball overhead. 3. Tip. A tip is used as a way to trick the other team into thinking that the ball is going further than it will. The player will hit the ball lightly, making it go over the net but not too far into the other player's area so that they can't hit it back. 4. Dig. This is the ability for a player to save the ball from hitting the court after it has been spiked. It usually requires a player to slide underneath the ball on the court or to dive underneath the ball.

5. Rebound. This occurs when the ball stays on one side, making the players rebound, or take the ball back. With all of these different hits for a ball, you will want to make sure that the players have the ability to move freely and effectively with every move. With all of these different hits, the players will need to connect where they want to hit the ball with the way that their feet move. For example, a dig will require the feet to move under the body in order to save the ball. A serve will require more balance on both feet in order to hit the ball more effectively. This will be important to keep in mind as you are training players. The basics of volleyball hits can lead a long way when you are working towards playing the game. If you are finding ways to teach techniques to players, this is the place to start. It will allow everyone to have a good chance at controlling and hitting the ball, no matter what the set up is.

Volleyball Basic Rules

THE SERVE
( A ) Server must serve from behind the restraining line ( end line ) until after contact. ( B ) Ball may be served underhand or overhand. ( C ) Ball must be clearly visible to opponents before serve. ( D ) Served ball may graze the net and drop to the other side for point. ( E ) First game serve is determined by a volley, each subsequent game shall be served by the previous game loser. ( F ) Serve must be returned by a bump only. no setting or attacking a serve.

SCORING
A. B. C. D. E. F. Rally scoring will be used. There will be a point scored on every score of the ball. Offense will score on a defense miss or out of bounds hit. Defense will score on an offensive miss, out of bounds hit, or serve into the net. Game will be played to 25 pts. Must win by 2 points.

ROTATION
( A ) Team will rotate each time they win the serve. ( B ) Players shall rotate in a clockwise manner. ( C ) There shall be 4-6 players on each side.

PLAYING THE GAME ( VOLLEY )

( A ) Maximum of three hits per side. ( B ) Player may not hit the ball twice in succession ( A block is not considered a hit ). ( C ) Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on serve. ( D ) A ball touching a boundary line is good. ( E ) A legal hit is contact with the ball by a player body above and including the waist which does not allow the ball to visibly come to a rest. ( F ) If two or more players contact the ball simultaneously, it is considered one play and the players involved may not participate in the next play. ( G ) A player must not block or attack a serve. ( H ) Switching positions will be allowed only between front line players. ( After the serve only ).

BASIC VIOLATIONS
( A ) Stepping on or over the line on a serve. ( B ) Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully. ( C ) Hitting the ball illegally ( Carrying, Palming, Throwing, etc. ). ( D ) Touches of the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play. If the ball is driven into the net with such force that it causes the net to contact an opposing player, no foul will be called, and the ball shall continue to be in play. ( E ) Reaching over the net, except under these conditions: 1 - When executing a follow-through. 2 - When blocking a ball which is in the opponents court but is being returned ( the blocker must not contact the ball until after the opponent who is attempting to return the ball makes contact). Except to block the third play. ( F ) Reaches under the net ( if it interferes with the ball or opposing player ). ( G ) Failure to serve in the correct order. ( H ) Blocks or spikes from a position which is clearly not behind the 10-foot line while in a back row position.

THE COURT

PLAYING AREA Both indoor and outdoor courts are 18 m x 9mi (29'6" x 59'). Indoor courts also include an attack area designated by a line 3 m (9'10") back from the center line. Lines on the court are 5cm (2" wide). NET HEIGHT Net height for men, co-ed mixed 6, & outdoor is 2.43 meters or 7'11-5/8". Net height for women, 7'4-1/8". The height of the net shall be 8'. BALL The ball weighs between 9 and 10 ounces. Ball pressure is between 4.5 and 6.0 pounds

Volleyball Lingo "Ace" "Sideout" "Roof"

"Stuff"

"Dig" "Kill"

Translation When the ball is served to the other team, and no one touches it. When the team that served the ball makes a mistake, causing the ball to go to the other team. When a player jumps above the height of the net, and blocks the ball. When a player jumps about the height of the net, blocks the ball, and the ball goes back at the person who attacked(spiked) the ball. When a player makes a save from a very difficult spike. When a team spikes the ball and it either ends in a point or a sideout.