by Jengy Pie

Created on: July 14, 2009

THE BASIC RULES OF VOLLEYBALL

* THE COURT *
The volleyball court consists of two halves, which are square (9m by 9m), making the court 18 metres long and 9 metres wide. The two halves are separated by a net, which varies in height depending on the age group of the teams and the division, but ranges from about 2.20m and 2.45m. Also, on each side, 3m from the net, there is a line parallel to the net ('the 3m line') which separates the back court from the forecourt. The net also has two antennae placed at its periphery, aligned with the sideline; the ball must cross over the net between the two antennae, otherwise it is 'out of play'. Note that if the ball touches any aspect of the line, it is considered in (much like tennis).

* THE PLAYERS *
Volleyball is played with 2 teams on either side of the net. Each team consists of 3 forecourt and 3 back court players; the 3 forecourt players aim to block opponent attacks and play attacking shots. Each time a team wins service, the 6 players of the team rotate clockwise one position. The server is the player who is in the first back court position - ie in the back right corner of the court. Back court players are not allowed to making attacking shots or block above the height of the net, within 3m of the net; front court players are free to attack.

* THE SCORING *
The scoring for volleyball is 'rally point', meaning that a point is scored when the opponents lose the rally. A point may be gained if:
(1) The ball is not returned back over the net (during play, or serve)
(2) The ball lands outside of the court's boundaries, including if the ball passes outside of the antennae and contact with the net cord outside of the antennae
(3) The opponent touches the net or antennae while the ball is in play
(4) The opponent crosses under the net by more than one foot
(5) A single opposition player touches the ball more than once without another player touching it in between
(6) The opponents take longer than 8 seconds to serve after the referees whistle
(7) The opposition team touched the ball more than 3 times, excluding the block
(8) The opponent's server crosses the service line to any degree during the serve
(9) The opponent's back court player makes an attacking play from above net height, within 3m of the net
(10) The opponents 'carry' the ball - ie the ball does not bounce off their body/forearm, but is 'lifted'
(11) While the ball is played by the opponents, it contacts an inanimate object not part of the court, for example, the referee's

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