Volleyball is a unique sport because of its different incarnations. Court volleyball is played on hardwood or a similar surface and is the most commonly-played type of volleyball--it is also the version most prevalently played at the collegiate level. Sand volleyball offers a soft surface that allows for diving with a low risk of injury. Both types of volleyball go by the same basic set of rules, and these rules are easy to learn.
Basic Rules
Volleyball teams are played between even-numbered groups. The serve begins the game by volleying the ball over the net and into play. Each team gets a maximum of three hits per side before they have to volley the ball back over to the other side. Players may only hit the ball with their body above the waist--kicking the ball to keep it in the air is illegal. Players may not hit the ball two consecutive times. All balls that touch the net are in play, and the ball remains in play until it lands on the ground.
Serving
One player on the team is designated the server. That individual must serve the ball into play by hitting the ball from behind the farmost boundary of the court and over the net to the opposing team. The ball can be served underhand or overhand, depending on the league--competitive leagues usually permit the overhand serve. The ball is live if it hits the net and falls to the opposite side of the net from where it was served. The serve is always done by the team that one the previous point coming off the most recent serve.
Scoring
A point is awarded whenever the ball touches the ground, or when a team commits a violation, such as touching the ball more than three times before serving. When the ball lands in bounds, the team playing on the opposite side of the net from where the ball landed earns a point. If the ball lands out of bounds, it is credited to the team that last touched the ball and is out on that team, awarding the opposing team a point. Games are played up to 25 and must be won or two. Matches are won by winning the majority of these games, whether it is a single game, best of three or best of five.
Violations
Any violation scores a point for the other team. Other violations that have not been mentioned include stepping on or over the line while serving; failing to serve the ball successfully; illegal hits; touching the net while the ball is in play; reaching over the net unless following through on a shot or blocking a shot from the opposing team; or reaching under the net. In all cases, the point and serve goes to the opposing team.
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