Everything You Need to Know About Playing Volleyball

Whether played on sand or indoors, volleyball is a thrill to watch and even more exciting to play! Filled with sets, serves, and spikes, the game is fast, fun, and easy to follow if you understand the basics. To learn how to play volleyball, check out this guide to volleyball for beginners. We'll explain the volleyball basics, volleyball rules, volleyball positions, and more.  

Who Invented Volleyball?

Here's a lesson on the history of volleyball: William G. Morgan invented volleyball in 1895. The physical director of his local YMCA in Massachusetts, Morgan came up with the idea to give people an alternative to basketball's physicality. The ball from basketball was even used to play the game initially. The smaller, lighter ball we all recognize today wasn't introduced until 1900. Originally called mintonette, the game was officially named volleyball in 1952.

Volleyball Basics: About the Volleyball Court

Indoor volleyball court dimensions are 59 feet x 29.5 feet. The volleyball court is divided by a center line that runs under the net and evenly splits the total 1,740.5-square-foot playing area. The attack line is about ten feet back from the net on either side, separating the players who play in the front and back zones.

The back zone is closed by the end line, followed by the service area. This is where the server stands to serve the ball over the net to start a possession. The court also has sidelines that give it its rectangular shape.

Volleyball is often played indoors on the same court as basketball. Check out our "Basketball Guide for Beginners" to learn how to play basketball.

How Does Volleyball Scoring Work? 

Volleyball is played between two teams with six players each. Volleyball games are called matches, and to win, a team must win three out of the five sets in a match. A team wins a set by being the first to get 25 points. If a fifth set is needed to break a tie, teams play to 15 points. In any set, teams must win by at least two points. Points are awarded to the team through a rally scoring system. In that system, no matter who serves, the team that successfully hits the ball on the ground within the opponent's court after back-and-forth hits gets the point.

How to Play Volleyball

Each volleyball game starts with a serve. A player in the service area hits the ball over the net to the opposing team. The serve can be overhand, underhand, or a jump serve as long as the ball goes over the net and lands inside the opponent's court.

The receiving team will try to return the serve with a pass, usually with their forearm, trying to get the ball to their setter. The setter will position the ball for attackers to jump and hit the ball aggressively to spike and score. The opposing team will attempt to block those spikes or hit them back into the air as passes for their teammates to touch.

Volleyball teams are usually allowed three touches before sending the ball back over the net. That back-and-forth, or rally, continues until the ball hits the floor, goes out of bounds, or a team commits a fault. Once one of those things happens and a team scores, players rotate positions and start the serve-and-return process again until there's a winner.

Volleyball Positions Explained: What Are the Positions in Volleyball? 

Indoor teams have six volleyball positions: three players in the front zone and three in the back zone. Players rotate positions clockwise after each point. The positions in volleyball include:

• Setter: The player in the back right corner and the team's playmaker. They distribute the ball to the hitters.
• Middle Blocker: The player in the middle of the front zone, their main job is to block quick attacks and spikes from the other team.
• Libero: Usually, this player is in the middle of the back zone. In most leagues, this is a special position that doesn't rotate to the front zone or serve. Instead, they stay back, acting as a defender and passer.
• Outside Hitter: The two main offensive players, or attackers, for the team, playing on the left side of the court. They jump high and hit the ball hard to try and score.
• Opposite Hitter: The player in front of the setter, attacking from the right side of the court.
• Teams may also have defensive specialists and serving specialists who are subbed in for special situations.

If you're looking to play a sport solo, golf is a great option. Find out if you're "Up to Par" using our golf basics breakdown!

Volleyball Vocabulary

Understanding the lingo of the game is an essential part of learning how to play volleyball. Here are 15 phrases for volleyball beginners:

• Ace: When a player scores on an unreturned serve.
• Let: A serve that hits the top of the net and rolls onto the other side to score.
• Foot fault: Illegally crossing the lines on the court based on your role on the team.
• Service error: When a serve is unsuccessful due to the ball not crossing the net, the serve landing out of bounds, or a foot fault occurring.
• Spike: When a player aggressively swings at the ball, attempting to get an immediate score.
• Kill: A successful spike.
• Block: When a player deflects a spiked ball back onto their opponent's side of the court.
• Dig: Passing a spiked ball.
• Dink: Lightly pushing the ball over the net.
• Double Hit: Illegally hitting the ball two times in a row.
• Jump Serve: When a player tosses the ball in the air and jumps to hit during their serve.
• Joust: When two opposing players attempt to hit the ball at the same time as it comes down directly above the net.
• Line Shot: Spiking the ball so that it lands along the opponent's sideline.
• Strongside: When a right-handed hitter is on the left side of the net or a left-handed hitter is on the right side of the net.
• Weakside: When a right-handed hitter is on the right side of the net or a left-handed hitter is on the left side of the net.

Types of Volleyball: Indoor Volleyball vs. Beach Volleyball

The most obvious difference between indoor volleyball and beach volleyball is the court. In addition to the sand's outlined dimensions, beach volleyball courts are smaller than their indoor counterparts, measuring 52.5 feet by 26 feet and 3 inches. Courts are surrounded by "zones" for serving (service zone) and a free zone that gives the players a safety buffer from spectators.

The number of people on the court at any time also varies. Sand volleyball is played in duos, while the indoor version of the sport is a full team game, with six players on each side of the court at any time, along with substitutions.

Those players also play with different balls. Beach volleyball pairs have a lighter, slightly bigger ball that floats in the air longer when hit, giving the two players more time to get under it and make plays. The heavier indoor balls cut down the time in the air, giving the game its fast-paced intensity.

Scoring is also altered due to the team sizes. The first to 25 points in an indoor game wins a set, while beach volleyball is played to 21 points. In both formats, the winning team must win by at least two points.

Soccer can also be played on sandy beaches. Learn "How to Play Soccer" today!

Beyond Volleyball for Beginners: Other Set-Based Sports

Now that you know how to play volleyball, you can take some time to expand your knowledge on another set-based sport. Tennis is played in a similar scoring format, and it can also be played indoors or outdoors. Check out our "How to Play Tennis" guide for all the information you need on rules and how to win. Before you know it, you'll be a two-sport expert!

How to Play Volleyball FAQs

When is volleyball season?

Volleyball season varies based on the level of play and whether you're playing indoors or outdoors. In college and high school, the indoor version of the game is played in the fall. Beach volleyball usually starts at the college level in late winter and continues through spring. 

How long is a volleyball game?

The length of a volleyball game varies depending on the number of sets played and the format. Matches where one team goes undefeated can be as short as an hour, while five-set matches can last over two hours. 

Can you kick the ball in volleyball?

Kicking the ball is allowed in volleyball; however, it's discouraged, as kicks typically have less control than a player diving to the ground and hitting the ball with their hands or forearms. 

How tall is a volleyball net?

For men's play, the volleyball net is just short of eight feet, measuring in at 7 feet and 11 5/8 inches. The women's net is several inches shorter at 7 feet and 4 1/8 inches.