USA Volleyball sanctions most competitive volleyball within the United States, and its rules conform to Olympic regulations. Even if your school district doesn't report to USA Volleyball, it's likely the rules will be close. But intramural volleyball often follows the whim of individual coaches and gym teachers. When in doubt, defer to the rules of the people in charge -- not to those of the nationwide organization.
Basic Play
In volleyball, two teams take turns passing a ball over a central net according to strict rules for how the ball can be touched during play. After service, the ball stays in motion until a fault occurs. When the fault happens, the team that is not responsible for the fault scores a point. Play continues until a set score is reached -- although in sanctioned competition, a team must have a lead of at least two points to win, even if that means exceeding the score set as a victory condition.
Hitting the Ball
Players may not throw, carry or palm the ball when it's in play. Instead, they must strike it with an open or closed hand. No player may touch the ball twice in a row, nor may the team hit more than three times before it crosses the net. It's common for a team to have one player hit the ball gently to set it up for a second player to slam it across the net.
Faults
A fault is the condition under which play stops and a point is scored. Some examples of faults include touching the ball illegally or twice in a row, striking the ball while standing out of bounds, touching the net with a body part or the ball and reaching over or under the net. Unsportsmanlike conduct or other technical fouls also result in a fault, in which case the game stops and points are awarded as with other faults.
Positions
Players on a volleyball team line up at the beginning of each play in two lines that form a rectangle parallel to the net. The player in the right-hand, rear corner of the rectangle always serves the ball to begin play. Once possession passes to the other team, the team rotates clockwise one position. Over the course of a game, all players will have played all positions. Regulation teams allow six players on the field, although intramural teams may allow more or require less based on how many participants show up.
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