The Rules of Volleyball Explained: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Volleyball is one of the world’s most exciting, fast-paced team sports, combining agility, power, and strategy in equal measure. If you’re new to volleyball—whether you’re planning to play or just want to understand what’s happening when you watch a game—this guide will break down the basics for you, step by step.
The Objective of the Game
The main goal in volleyball is simple: your team must win three sets before the opposing team does. Each set is won by scoring 25 points and maintaining at least a two-point lead. So, if the score reaches 25–24, play continues until one team pulls ahead by two clear points. If the match reaches a tie of two sets each, the deciding fifth set is played to just 15 points—but the two-point lead rule still applies.
Teams and Positions
Each volleyball team can register 12 players for a match, but only six players are allowed on the court at any one time. These six are divided into specialized positions:
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Front Row: Left-side hitter, right-side hitter, and middle hitter.
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Back Row: Libero (defensive specialist) and two setters who organize attacks.
Every player has a role in both defense and offense, and mastering positioning is key to a successful team.
The Court and Net
The volleyball court is a rectangle measuring 18 meters long and 9 meters wide, divided by a net. Each team defends a square playing area of 9 by 9 meters. The net height differs by competition: it stands at 8 feet (2.43 meters) high for men and 7 feet 4 inches (2.24 meters) for women.
A three-meter attack line runs parallel to the net on each side, marking where back-row players are restricted from attacking the ball above the net if they jump from in front of this line.
How to Score Points
Scoring in volleyball is straightforward in principle: hit the ball over the net so that it lands inside the opponent’s court. The lines count as in, so clipping the edge still wins you the point.
However, getting the ball to the floor isn’t as simple as it sounds—teams are only allowed a maximum of three touches to return the ball over the net. These touches typically follow a specific sequence:
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Pass (or Bump): The first touch, usually a forearm pass to control the opponent’s serve or attack.
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Set: The second touch, setting the ball up for an attacker to spike.
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Attack (or Spike): The final touch, hitting the ball forcefully over the net into the opponent’s court.
Teams can use fewer than three touches if they wish, and play continues back and forth until one side commits an error or the ball hits the floor.
Common Mistakes and Fouls
Volleyball has strict rules about what you can and cannot do with the ball. Violations result in the other team being awarded a point and the serve. Here are some common faults:
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Hitting the ball outside the court lines.
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Touching the ball twice in succession by the same player.
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Catching, throwing, or carrying the ball instead of hitting it cleanly.
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Stepping on or over the service line while serving.
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Touching the net during play or crossing underneath it.
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Hitting the ball into the antennas attached to the net.
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Exceeding the three-touch limit.
Rotation and Serving
When your team wins a point while the opponent served, your team gains the right to serve and must rotate positions clockwise. This rotation ensures all players take turns in different roles, balancing offense and defense responsibilities.
Special Moves: Block and Dig
To counter powerful attacks, defenders use two main techniques:
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Block: A front-row player jumps near the net to deflect or stop an opponent’s spike. If the ball rebounds onto your side after a block, it does not count toward your three-touch limit.
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Dig: A defensive play to keep an opponent’s attack from hitting the floor. Players often dive dramatically to rescue the ball. Unlike a block, a dig does count as one of your three allowed touches.
The Libero: The Defensive Specialist
The libero is a unique player who wears a different-colored jersey and specializes in defense. Agile and quick, the libero is responsible for digging and passing but has strict limitations:
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They cannot serve (in most competitions).
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They cannot attack the ball above net height.
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They cannot cross the attack line to perform an overhead attack.
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They can freely substitute for any back-row player without it counting against the team’s official substitutions.
Substitutions
Teams can make up to six substitutions per set. Each player must return to the game in the same position they exited. Only one player can be substituted at a time, except for the libero, who can come in and out an unlimited number of times.
In Summary
At first glance, volleyball can seem packed with rules and specialized roles. But once you start playing or watching matches, the flow of the game quickly becomes clear: pass, set, spike—repeat. The excitement comes from the speed, the powerful attacks, the spectacular defensive saves, and the constant movement as players rotate and adapt.
So whether you’re picking up a ball for the first time, watching your local club, or cheering on an Olympic team, you now know the basics of how volleyball works.
Enjoy the game—and when you’re ready, grab some friends, find a court, and see for yourself just how fun it is to bump, set, and spike your way to victory.