Volleyball rules

The rules of volleyball, set by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), are precise and serve to maintain smooth and fair gameplay. Here’s a list of the main rules:

1. Team

  • Each team consists of 6 players on the court: three in the front row (attackers) and three in the back row (defenders).
  • Each team can have up to 12 players on the roster, with the possibility of having one or two specialized players called the libero, who play only in defense and cannot attack or serve.

2. Objective

  • The objective of the game is to make the ball land in the opponent's court, over the net, with a maximum of three touches per team.
  • Each team aims to win sets: a set is won by the first team to reach 25 points (with a margin of at least 2 points over the opponents), except for the possible fifth set, which is played to 15 points.

3. Match duration

  • A match is played to the best of 5 sets: the team that wins 3 sets out of 5 wins the match.

4. Scoring

  • Since 1999, the rally point system has been used: every play results in a point for one of the two teams, regardless of who served.
  • A set is won by being the first to reach 25 points, but to win, a team must have a margin of at least 2 points over the opponents. If the score is tied at 24-24, the set continues until one team reaches the 2-point margin.

5. Serve

  • The game starts with a serve: the player positioned behind the baseline hits the ball to send it over the net toward the opponent's court.
  • If the ball touches the net but still lands in the opponent's court, the serve is valid.

6. Ball touches

  • Each team is entitled to a maximum of three touches to send the ball into the opponent's court.
    • Touch 1: Usually a reception or a bump.
    • Touch 2: Often a set, i.e., the pass to a teammate preparing for the attack.
    • Touch 3: Typically a spike, a powerful attack aimed at the opponent's court.
  • The ball can touch the net during play, but the player is not allowed to touch the net during an action.

7. Players’ positions and rotations

  • Players must stay in their respective positions until the ball is served. Once the ball is in play, they can move freely.
  • Teams rotate one position clockwise every time they regain the serve.

By following these rules, volleyball ensures a smooth and competitive game, requiring technical skills, tactics, and great teamwork.

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