In 1917, the game was changed from requiring 21 points to win to a smaller 15 points to win. The rules evolved over time: in 1916, in the Philippines, the skill and power of the set and spike had been introduced, and four years later a 'three hits' rule and a rule against hitting from the back row were established. The first official ball used in volleyball is disputed some sources say Spalding created the first official ball in 1896, while others claim it was created in 1900. Refinements and later developments Japanese American women playing volleyball, Manzanar internment camp, California, c. In the early 1900s Spalding, through its publishing company American Sports Publishing Company, produced books with complete instruction and rules for the sport. Volleyball rules were slightly modified by the International YMCA Training School and the game spread around the country to various YMCAs. Hitting the ball into the net was considered a foul (with loss of the point or a side-out)-except in the case of the first-try serve.Īfter an observer, Alfred Halstead, noticed the volleying nature of the game at its first exhibition match in 1896, played at the International YMCA Training School (now called Springfield College), the game quickly became known as volleyball (it was originally spelled as two words: ' volley ball '). In case of a serving error, a second try was allowed. A match was composed of nine innings with three serves for each team in each inning, and no limit to the number of ball contacts for each team before sending the ball to the opponents' court. The first rules, written down by William G. Mintonette was designed to be an indoor sport, less rough than basketball, for older members of the YMCA, while still requiring a bit of athletic effort. Another indoor sport, basketball, was catching on in the area, having been invented just ten miles (sixteen kilometres) away in the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, only four years before. The game took some of its characteristics from other sports such as baseball, tennis and handball. Morgan, a YMCA physical education director, created a new game called Mintonette, a name derived from the game of badminton, as a pastime to be played (preferably) indoors and by any number of players. In December 1895, in Holyoke, Massachusetts (United States), William G. The ball is usually played with the hands or arms, but players can legally strike or push (short contact) the ball with any part of the body.Ī number of consistent techniques have evolved in volleyball, including spiking and blocking (because these plays are made above the top of the net, the vertical jump is an athletic skill emphasized in the sport) as well as passing, setting, specialized player positions, and offensive and defensive structures. foot fault: the foot crosses over the boundary line when serving or under the net when a front row player is trying to keep the ball in play.net foul: touching the net during play.four consecutive contacts with the ball made by the same team.double hit: two consecutive contacts with the ball made by the same player.causing the ball to touch the ground or floor outside the opponents' court or without first passing over the net.The team that wins the rally is awarded a point and serves the ball to start the next rally. An attack is an attempt to direct the ball back over the net in such a way that the team receiving the ball is unable to pass the ball and continue the rally, thus, losing the point. Typically, the first two touches are used to set up for an attack. The team may touch the ball up to three times to return the ball to the other side of the court, but individual players may not touch the ball twice consecutively. The receiving team must not let the ball be grounded within their court. The complete set of rules is extensive, but play essentially proceeds as follows: a player on one of the teams begins a 'rally' by serving the ball (tossing or releasing it and then hitting it with a hand or arm), from behind the back boundary line of the court, over the net, and into the receiving team's court. The adapted version of volleyball at the Summer Paralympic Games is sitting volleyball. Beach volleyball was introduced to the programme at the Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics.

It has been a part of the official program of the Summer Olympic Games since Tokyo 1964.

Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules. Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. 1895, Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States

Bump set spike volleyball