Volleyball is a famous team sport played on a rectangular court, usually indoors, but it can also be played outdoors on sand. It involves two teams, each consisting of six players, who try to score points by hitting a ball over a net and into the opponent's court without letting it touch the ground on their side. The objective is to make the ball land within the boundaries of the opposing team's court while preventing them from doing the same.
Here are some key aspects of volleyball:
1- Court: The court is divided into two halves by a net. The dimensions of an indoor court are 18 meters long and 9 meters wide. The net's height is 2.43 meters for men and 2.24 meters for women.
2- Teams: Each team consists of six players on the court, with additional players available as substitutes. The players are positioned in specific areas such as the front row, and back row, and a player is designated as the setter.
3- Serving: A rally begins with a player from one team serving the ball over the net to the opposing team. The server stands behind the back boundary line and hits the ball using an overhand or underhand technique.
4- Rally: Once the ball is served, each team has three contacts (usually a pass, set, and spike) to return the ball over the net. The ball must not be held or come to a complete stop during contact.
5- Scoring: Teams score points when the opposing team fails to return the ball within the boundaries or commits a fault. Rally scoring is commonly used, meaning points are awarded on every rally, regardless of which team served.
6- Rotation: As a team wins the serve back from the opposing team, players rotate clockwise, maintaining the same serving order but changing their positions on the court.
7- Substitutions and Timeouts: Teams are allowed limited substitutions during a match. Each team also has timeouts they can use to regroup and discuss tactics during a game.
8- Sets and Matches: Matches are usually played as best-of-five sets. The first team to win three sets wins the match. Sets are played to 25 points, except the fifth set (if necessary), which is played to 15 points.
Volleyball is a fast-paced and exciting sport that requires teamwork, coordination, and skill. It is played at various levels, from recreational leagues to professional competitions, including international tournaments such as the Olympic Games and the FIVB World Championships.