Volleyball is played competitively and recreationally at many age levels. It features simple game rules for recreational play, helping players learn the fundamentals of the game easily. Volleyball is a popular recreational sport because it is easy to learn, and individuals in a team setting can gradually learn the sport while their team supports them. While volleyball rules in competitive levels can be somewhat detailed in some respects, most recreational rules simplify the rules to make the game fun and easy to follow.
Hitting Basics
The ball is first entered into play by a server on one of the teams. The server must stand beyond the boundary line when serving and can then enter into the volleyball court boundaries after delivering the serve to the other side of the net. Some leagues allow an overhand serve, while others require the serve to be delivered underhanded. When the ball is in play, the ball is to be served over to the other side of the court in an effort to make the ball land on the ground inbounds. Teams are allowed to hit the ball a maximum of three times consecutively before the ball has to be sent back over the net for the other team to hit. Additionally, one player may not hit the ball twice in a row. The ball may not be held or stalled in any way--it must be in motion the entire time and only influenced by being hit into the air by a player.
Scoring Rules
Teams earn a point when the ball lands inbounds on the floor on the opposing team's side of the net, or when the ball lands out of bounds. In this scenario, the last team to touch the ball before it lands out of bounds is credited with the out-of-bounds violation, and a point is awarded to the other team. The team that wins a point is always the next team to serve the ball. Games can be played to various increments--common point totals are 11, 21 and 25--and matches are usually played in a best-of format, most commonly best of three or best of five. Points can also be awarded to a team when an opponent commits a violation.
Violations
Specific rules regarding violations can vary between leagues and how technical they choose to be. In most leagues, violations are charged against teams for stepping over the line on a serve, exceeding the limit of consecutive hits, touching the net while the ball is in play or reaching or going underneath the net to the other side of the court. Some leagues also have rules regarding player rotation and spiking position--some leagues even prohibit the spike, particularly in noncompetitive co-ed leagues.
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