Volleyball is an Olympic and NCAA sport that can be played both indoors and outdoors. Volleyball was invented in 1895 by William G. Morgan, who originally named the game mintonette. Morgan fashioned the game to include facets of basketball, baseball, tennis and handball. Volleyball games are played to a predetermined number of points, and the game must be won by at least a two-point difference.
Indoor Volleyball
Indoor volleyball can be played with up to six players on each team. Player lineup consists of three players at the front of the court by the net and three players in the back. Players use their hands and arms to drive the ball over the net to the opposing team's court. Each team tries to keep the ball from hitting the ground and points are awarded when the ball hits the ground of the opposing team's boundaries. In indoor volleyball, players are allowed to go under the net as long as it doesn't interfere with the opponent's play and as long as the player's foot is touching or directly over the center line.
Player Rotation
The coaches of each team submit a written lineup of the starting players to the referee and scorekeeper. This lineup determines each player's rotation in the game, which is called the serving order. Players rotate positions clockwise when a serve is being received from the other team. Once the server makes contact with the ball, players can move to any position during rally but have to return to previous rotational order for the next serve.
Rules
Each team is allowed only three ball touches to drive the ball to the other side of the net. The serving team serves the ball until the other team scores and then the ball is served by the opposing team. Illegal moves include catching, holding, throwing, lifting or pushing the ball. A ball is considered out if it hits an antenna, hits the floor outside of the court, net or cables outside the antennae, referee stand or the ceiling. Also, a block or attack cannot be made on or within the 10-foot line.
Beach Volleyball
Beach volleyball began as a men's sport and later transitioned to women's sports. Beach volleyball is played with two to 12 players on each side of the net. Women's nets are lower than men's nets at 7 feet, 4 inches high. Men's nets are just under 8 feet. The server must release the ball in the air before contact for the serve. Players are allowed to go completely under the net into the opposing team's court to play a ball but cannot interfere with the other players. Player rotation isn't necessary, and there are no substitutions.
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