Volleyball can be played indoors or outdoors. Based on the environment and level of competition, the rules can be adjusted to fit the players. However, certain volleyball rules apply to most games, no matter where it is played or who is playing it.
Serve
The team who wins the coin toss must serve by striking the ball over the net using either an under- or overhanded technique. The server must strike the ball while standing behind the end line. When the serving team violates a rule, it loses the serve, and the ball is awarded to the opposing team.
Re-Serve
If the server releases the ball for service but lets it hit the floor or catches it, it is a re-serve.
Rally Scoring
A point is scored for either the offense or the defense on each rally. The game is played until one team scores 25 points. A team has to win by two points.
Side-Out Scoring
A point is awarded only to the team that serves the ball. If the offense commits a violation, then the ball goes to the defense for service (called side-out), but the defense is not awarded any points. The game is played until a team reaches 15 points. Like rally scoring, in a side-out scoring system, a team must win by two points.
Number of Players
In an indoor game, the usual number of players on court for a team is six. In an outdoor game, the usual number of players on court for a team is two.
Court
Most volleyball courts are 18 meters by 9 meters. The lines are 5 cm wide.
Rotation
Each time a team wins the serve, its members must rotate. The members must rotate in a clockwise manner. Failure to rotate correctly or serving out of turn is a violation and will cost the team the serve.
Violation
Any action by either team that results in the loss of a point and/or the loss of the serve is a violation. Some examples are crossing the center line, not hitting the ball over the net, not serving in the correct order or hitting the volleyball illegally (carrying, palming the ball).
Returning the Ball
A player on the returning team cannot block or attack a serve. A serve can only be returned with a bump. No player can hit the ball twice in a row. Each team is allowed three hits before the ball must be returned over the net. A block is not considered a hit counting toward one of the three. A player may play the ball off the net on a volley or a serve.
In or Out
A ball is in bounds if it is returned over the net inside the playing lines. It is also considered in bounds if it hits one of the boundary lines. A ball is out of bounds if it touches, passes over or passes outside the net antennae. It is also out of bounds if it passes over the net but lands outside the lines without an opposing team member touching it.
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