With just two players per team, the rules for serving in beach volleyball are simple -- one player starts and continues until the receiving team wins a rally. When the initial team regains the right to serve, the teammate of the initial server places the ball in play. With indoor volleyball and its six players, serving rotations are slightly more involved but remain almost as straightforward, as defined in rules followed by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball, USA Volleyball and the NCAA.
Definition
The starting lineup provided by the coach to the referee indicates the serving rotations in volleyball. The server occupies position 1, at the far right of the back row. The players listed as 2, 3 and 4 take their places in the front row, in order from right to left as they face the net. Player 5 takes the far-left position in the back row, while player 6 stands in the back row between player 1 and player 5. Described another way, the six players array themselves in two rows of three, numbered counterclockwise beginning with the server at position 1.
Positions
Each position on both the serving and receiving teams must be in correct order when the server hits the ball. In addition, players must observe relative positions, with the back-row players farther back from the center line than the front-row players, and each right-side or left-side player must have at least part of a foot closer to the sideline than the center player, FIVB rules state. After the server hits the ball, the players may change positions and go to an area designated by the coach to play to their strengths.
Rotation
The initial server continues serving until your side loses a rally. When your team next gains the right to serve, the players each move one position clockwise. The server rotates to position 6, and the player in position 2 at the right side of the front row takes over serving.
Faults
You need to pay close attention to your assigned spot in the serving rotation to avoid having the referee call a positional fault. Your team loses a point and service to the opponent if you stand in the wrong position at the moment of the serve. The serving rotation stays the same throughout a set. You can also commit a rotational fault if the right person doesn't take the serve. This also results in the opponent receiving a point and losing serve. If the error in the service rotation isn't caught right away, the scorer reviews his records to determine when the fault occurred and points scored after that fault are cancelled.
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