Girls volleyball is played in schools and colleges and leagues around the United States. Aside from all the participants being women, the rules for girls volleyball don't differ much from the male version. The height of the net is different depending on age, but the court dimensions are the same as are the playing format and scoring system.
Set-up
Each team must have six players on the floor at a time. Three players are up front and three are in the back. The serving team must serve the ball over the net and the receiving team must return it. If the ball lands on a boundary line it is considered in and if it lands outside the line, hits the ceiling or net post it is out. Players cannot hold or catch the ball or hit the ball two times in a row. Each team is permitted three hits before the ball must be returned over the net.
Basic Violations
Several violations can render the play over in girls volleyball. If a player steps on or over the back line when serving or if she fails to get the ball over the net with her serve, the other team gets to serve. If any player touches the net or reaches over the net and impedes an opposing player, it is a violation. Also, if a team serves out of order or a player from the back row blocks over the net during play, it is considered a violation.
Scoring
Girls volleyball matches are best three out of five games. The first team to win three games wins the match. Games are played to 25 points, but a team has to win by at least two points. If a fifth game is required, it is played to 15, with at least a two-point differential required for victory. A point is scored when a team grounds the ball in the opposing team's court or the opposing team commits a fault. If the serving team wins a rally, it receives one point and continues serving. If the receiving team wins a rally, they receive one point and get to serve.
Players
The players line up three in front and three in back and rotate one position clockwise when the opposition loses the serve and it is your team's turn to serve again. If you are facing the net, the player in the back right corner is the server.
Net Specifications
The only measurable difference between the boys and girls game is the height of the net. According to USA Volleyball, girls 10 and younger use a net height of 6 feet 6 inches, while the boys use 7 feet. Both boys and girls 11 to 12 use a 7 foot net. Boys and girls 13 to 14 years old use a net that's 7 feet 4-1/8 inches high. From 15 to 18 years of age, the girls net stays the same, while the boys jumps to 7 feet 11-5/8 inches high.
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